HB 661 sought to revise and expand laws related to the unlawful harassment or harm of certain wildlife using vehicles or devices. The bill extended protections to include game animals, game birds, fur-bearing animals, and predatory animals. It distinguished between harassing these animals, which remained a misdemeanor, and a new, more severe offense of harming, tormenting, torturing, or killing them from a vehicle or device without legal justification. This new offense was classified as a felony, carrying higher fines, potential state prison time, and longer suspensions of hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges. Exemptions were included for landowners protecting their property, lawful hunting, and wildlife management practices.
HB 139 aimed to revise laws related to mule deer buck hunting in Montana, directly affecting hunters and the state's Fish, Wildlife & Parks commission. The bill would have restricted the commission's ability to close mule deer buck hunting during the general rifle season in November. Specifically, it would have prohibited closures in more than 20% of hunting districts per season, for more than two years within a six-year period in any district, or prior to November 6 in any district. These new restrictions would not have applied to any district closures already in place before December 1, 2024.
HB 829 aimed to update laws concerning aquatic invasive species management. It would have required individuals to complete a state-provided online awareness training course and pass a test before obtaining an aquatic invasive species prevention pass. The bill clarified that all vessel operators, including non-resident non-motorized vessels, must possess this pass to launch on state waters. Additionally, it would have increased the maximum civil penalty for certain violations related to aquatic invasive species from $2,500 to $25,000.
HB 101 reclassifies gray wolves as furbearers, integrating them into existing furbearer hunting and trapping regulations. The bill establishes specific wolf hunting licenses for residents and nonresidents, outlining associated fees and tagging requirements for harvested wolves. It introduces new management provisions, allowing for more liberal harvest opportunities such as multiple licenses per individual, the use of bait for trapping, and night hunting on private lands. Additionally, the bill permits landowners to take wolves threatening human safety, livestock, or dogs on their property without a license under specific reporting requirements and a quota.
HB 889 aimed to revise laws governing local government land use regulations and county zoning. The bill proposed that certain requirements related to "sensitive lands" could not be included in growth policies for areas located outside of city limits. It also detailed the required contents for local growth policies, affecting how counties and cities plan for future development and manage resources. This legislation would have impacted local governments' authority over land use planning in unincorporated areas.
HB 564 would have required individuals holding deer or elk hunting licenses to report their hunting activity to the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks for each animal during the license year. Hunters who reported by February 15 could choose to receive one bonus point for either a deer or elk. Conversely, those who failed to report by the end of the license year would be assessed an administrative fee ranging from $5 to $50, payable before purchasing a new base hunting license. The bill also directed the department to develop a system for collecting these mandatory reports and defined "hunting activity" to include harvest success, locations, and dates.
HB 935 allows the department to temporarily suspend or close new permit applications for large groundwater appropriations (3,000 gallons per minute or more) from specific areas within the Fox Hills-Hell Creek aquifer. This action aims to balance water development with the protection of existing water rights. The bill also mandates the Bureau of Mines and Geology to conduct a feasibility study on groundwater availability in these areas. It appropriates $5,000 for this study, and the act's provisions are set to terminate on June 30, 2027.
House Bill 932 revises laws related to funding for conservation efforts, primarily by reallocating a portion of the state's marijuana tax revenue. The bill establishes a new Habitat Legacy Account, which receives 20% of the net balance from the Marijuana State Special Revenue Account after an initial transfer. Funds from this Habitat Legacy Account are then distributed into three other new accounts. These accounts are dedicated to securing wildlife habitat, funding wildlife improvement projects, and supporting the design and construction of big game and wildlife highway crossings to enhance animal movement and safety. The Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks is responsible for administering these new accounts.
HB 685 establishes a "feasibility allowance" as part of the state's water quality nondegradation policy. This allows individuals or entities seeking to degrade high-quality state waters to request this allowance when working to meet water quality standards. The bill revises certain definitions, including expanding who is considered an "interested person" to include those requesting such an allowance. It also amends administrative rules and grants rulemaking authority to the Department of Environmental Quality to implement these new provisions, directly affecting industries and projects that impact state waters.
HB 923 directs the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to amend its administrative rules by January 1, 2026. This amendment will create a new categorical exclusion from nondegradation authorization requirements. This exclusion applies to areas where a county commission demonstrates it has prohibited drinking water wells and ensures absorption trenches are at least 1,000 feet from downstream high-quality surface waters. The bill also appropriates $10,000 to the DEQ to implement these rule changes and provide guidance.
