HB 96 creates a trapper apprentice program in Montana, allowing individuals aged 10 and older to learn trapping under a mentor's supervision. The bill revises the existing apprentice hunting certificate to include trapping, enabling apprentices to obtain a Class C or Class C-2 trapping license. Apprentices must complete a trapper education course within two license years (or before age 12 if completed early) and be accompanied by a mentor during trapping activities. This program aims to provide structured training while ensuring safety and conservation through education.
Bill statussignedall 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2024
Committee Review
Feb 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Dec 16, 2024Signed Apr 3, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 11 comparisons
What changed between versions
HB0096_X(9).pdf→HB0096_X(10).pdf·2 edits
MINOR
The bill text was updated to standardize the formatting of the bill number from 'HB0096' to 'HB 96'. Additionally, a specific requirement was added mandating that game damage assistance may only be issued for use on lands eligible under a specific state statute, clarifying where such assistance can be applied.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed by adding a new eligibility restriction for game damage assistance, limiting it to lands specifically eligible under 87-1-225.
TECHNICAL
Standardized the bill number formatting from 'HB0096' to 'HB 96' in the header and enrolled sections.
ELIGIBILITY
Added a requirement that game damage assistance may only be issued for use on lands eligible for assistance pursuant to 87-1-225.
HB0096_X(2).pdf→HB0096_X(3).pdf·1 edit
MINOR
The provided diff indicates a minor formatting adjustment to the bill's summary line, where a trailing period was removed. No substantive policy changes, such as new eligibility rules, funding adjustments, or timeline modifications, are present in this excerpt.
TECHNICAL
A trailing period was removed from the end of the bill's summary line.
HB0096_2(14).pdf→HB0096_X.pdf·5 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates Montana's apprentice hunting and trapping programs to include both activities under a single apprentice certificate. It expands the scope of the program to cover hunting and trapping, revises eligibility criteria for mentors and apprentices, and clarifies which licenses and tags apprentices may acquire. The changes aim to streamline the process for young people entering both hunting and trapping while maintaining safety and education requirements.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from separate apprentice hunting and trapping programs to a unified program that covers both hunting and trapping activities.
SCOPE
The bill title and summary were updated to reflect a combined apprentice certificate program for both hunting and trapping, replacing the previous separate programs.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility criteria for both apprentices and mentors were revised to accommodate the new combined program structure.
The apprentice hunting certificate section was amended to integrate trapper education course completion alongside hunter safety requirements.
REQUIREMENT
Hunter safety and education course requirements were updated to include bowhunter education and clarify course completion verification methods.
Supplemental game damage licenses were revised to allow issuance to apprentices and restrict them to antlerless animals and specific land eligibility.
HB0096_2(13).pdf→HB0096_2(14).pdf·3 edits
MINOR
The bill was renumbered from HB 96 to HB 96.2 and its title was updated to explicitly include a 'Trapping Apprentice Certificate Program.' The substantive text of the bill remains unchanged, as the diff shows identical legislative language for hunter safety, supplemental game damage licenses, and apprentice hunting certificates.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded by adding 'trapping' to the apprentice certificate program in the title and description, although the specific operational text provided in the diff did not include the new trapping provisions themselves.
TECHNICAL
The bill number was changed from HB 96 to HB 96.2.
The introductory text was updated to reflect the new bill number and the expanded scope regarding trapping.
SCOPE
The title was amended to create a 'Trapping Apprentice Certificate Program,' expanding the scope beyond just hunting apprentices.
HB0096_2(12).pdf→HB0096_2(13).pdf·4 edits
MODERATE
This bill expands the apprentice hunting program to explicitly include both hunting and trapping, clarifying that apprentices can now hunt and trap under mentorship. It updates safety course requirements to recognize bowhunter education and adds a provision allowing landowners to designate apprentice hunters for supplemental game damage licenses. The changes aim to formalize trapping training alongside existing hunting apprenticeships and increase opportunities for youth to participate in wildlife management.
Scope change
The bill broadens the scope of the apprentice certificate program from hunting-only to include trapping, and extends eligibility for supplemental game damage licenses to include apprentice hunters.
ELIGIBILITY
The apprentice certificate program now covers both hunting and trapping, whereas it previously focused only on hunting.
Landowners may now designate apprentice hunters (holding an apprentice certificate) as recipients of supplemental game damage licenses.
REQUIREMENT
Safety course requirements were updated to accept bowhunter education certificates as proof of training for bow and arrow licenses.
DEFINITION
The definition of the apprentice certificate was revised to ensure it applies to both hunting and trapping activities.
HB0096_1(7).pdf→HB0096_2(10).pdf·2 edits
MINOR
The bill text underwent significant formatting and numbering updates, changing the bill identifier from 'HB 96.1' to 'HB0096.2' and adjusting the page header layout. These changes appear to be technical corrections to the document's structure rather than substantive policy modifications to the hunting license regulations.
TECHNICAL
Updated the bill identifier and page headers from 'HB 96.1' to 'HB0096.2' to reflect a new version of the document.
Reformatted the header text, moving the year '2025' to a separate line and adjusting the spacing and alignment of the legislative session information.
HB0096_2(9).pdf→HB0096_1(7).pdf·1 edit
MINOR
The bill text was updated to reflect a change in the legislative session number from the 69th Legislature (2025) to the 68th Legislature (2023), and the bill identifier was adjusted from HB 96.2 to HB 96.1. These changes appear to be administrative corrections aligning the document with the correct legislative year and version number.
Scope change
The scope and applicability of the bill remain unchanged; the modifications are purely technical corrections to the header information.
TECHNICAL
The legislative session year was changed from 2025 to 2023, and the bill version number was updated from HB 96.2 to HB 96.1.
HB0096_1(6).pdf→HB0096_2(9).pdf·1 edit
MINOR
The bill text underwent a technical renumbering and formatting update, changing the bill identifier from 'HB 96.1' to 'HB0096.2' and adjusting the page header layout. No substantive policy changes, eligibility criteria, funding amounts, or legal requirements were altered in the provided text.
TECHNICAL
The bill identifier was updated from 'HB 96.1' to 'HB0096.2' and the header layout was modified to include a specific version number.
HB0096_2(8).pdf→HB0096_1(6).pdf·1 edit
MINOR
The bill underwent a technical renumbering and formatting update, changing the bill identifier from HB0096.2 to HB 96.1. No substantive policy changes, such as new eligibility criteria, funding amounts, or legal requirements, were identified in the provided text.
TECHNICAL
The bill number was updated from HB0096.2 to HB 96.1, and the header text was reformatted with bolding and spacing adjustments.
HB0096_1(5).pdf→HB0096_2.pdf·1 edit
MINOR
The bill text has been updated to reflect a new version number (HB0096.2) and a revised date format, while the substantive legislative content regarding archery and supplemental game damage licenses remains unchanged.
TECHNICAL
The header information was updated to change the bill identifier from HB 96.1 to HB0096.2 and adjusted the date formatting, indicating a revision in the document version rather than a change in policy.
LC0514.pdf→HB0096_1.pdf·1 edit
MINOR
The bill was officially renamed from LC 0514 to House Bill 96, and the sponsor is now listed as P. Fielder. The legislative text and formatting have been updated to reflect this new bill number and sponsor information, while the core content regarding bow and arrow licenses remains unchanged.
TECHNICAL
The bill identifier was changed from LC 0514 to HB 96, and the sponsor line was updated to include P. Fielder.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 17, 2025 · House Jan 30, 2025
How they voted
43–6
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 50
Mar 17, 2025
D
Democratic18
11 Yea6 Nay1
61% Yea
R
Republican32
32 Yea
100% Yea
Your representatives
Vote distribution
All YeaAll NayMixedNo data
86–14
Passed
Total votes 100
Jan 30, 2025
D
Democratic42
28 Yea14 Nay
66% Yea
R
Republican58
58 Yea
100% Yea
Your representatives
Vote distribution
All YeaAll NayMixedNo data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
37
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Apr 3, 2025
Became-Law
Chapter Number Assigned
legislature
Apr 3, 2025
Signed into law
(H) Signed by Governor
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Executive-Receipt
(H) Transmitted to Governor
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
Mar 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 18, 2025
Other
(H) Returned from Enrolling
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (43-6-1)
senate
Mar 17, 2025
Other
(H) Sent to Enrolling
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Reading-3
(S) 3rd Reading
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Reading-3
(S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
upper
Mar 15, 2025
Reading-2
(S) 2nd Reading
upper
Mar 15, 2025
Reading-2
(S) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Fish and Game
upper
Feb 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Fish and Game
upper
Feb 5, 2025
Other
(S) Hearing - (S) Fish and Game
upper
Feb 4, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Fish and Game
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Reading-1
(S) 1st Reading
upper
Jan 30, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (86-14)
house
Jan 30, 2025
Other
(H) Transmitted to Senate
lower
Jan 30, 2025
Reading-3
(H) 3rd Reading
lower
Jan 30, 2025
Reading-3
(H) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
lower
Jan 29, 2025
Reading-2
(H) 2nd Reading
lower
Jan 29, 2025
Reading-2
(H) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
lower
Jan 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
lower
Jan 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
lower
Jan 10, 2025
Other
(H) Hearing - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
lower
Jan 6, 2025
Reading-1
(H) 1st Reading
lower
Dec 20, 2024
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
