Environment (Wildlife)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 28, 2025

LC 1302: Create auction or lottery licenses for antelope and swans

This bill allows Montana's wildlife commission to sell licenses for antelope and swans through either a competitive auction or a lottery system. The legislation permits wildlife conservation organizations focused on these species to conduct the sales if authorized, allowing them to keep up to 10% of proceeds to cover expenses. All remaining funds from these sales must be used by the state department to benefit antelope and migratory game bird management programs, separate from existing funding sources. The bill also gives the commission authority to create rules governing how these licenses are issued and how the auctions or lotteries are conducted.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds wildlife conservation programs for antelope and migratory game birds, supporting environmental protection and natural resource management.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 18, 2025

LC 3715: Provide funding for grizzly bear management

This bill allocates $210,000 from the general license account to Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to hire two full-time bear technicians for Region 3, which covers southwest Montana. The funding is intended to help the agency manage conflicts between expanding grizzly bear populations and increasing human development in the area. The money will supplement existing base funding and is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2025, with the legislature planning for the 2027 appropriation to become part of future base funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $210,000 from general license account to fund grizzly bear management and hire bear technicians, directly supporting state wildlife management programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates funding for grizzly bear management and conservation, directly supporting wildlife protection and environmental preservation efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 20, 2025

LC 4189: Generally revise laws related to the unlawful harassment of wild animals

This bill amends Montana laws to strengthen penalties for using vehicles or devices to harass, harm, or kill wild animals such as game animals, game birds, fur-bearing animals, and predatory animals. It prohibits activities like chasing, flushing, or tormenting these animals with motorized vehicles, aircraft, or snow machines, while allowing exceptions for landowners protecting property and individuals following lawful hunting or wildlife management practices. The legislation increases fines and potential prison time for violations, with harsher penalties for repeat offenses, and mandates the forfeiture of hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses for a set period depending on the severity and frequency of the violation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens penalties for unlawful harassment of wild animals, enhancing criminal justice enforcement and protection of wildlife through increased fines and stricter regulations.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens penalties for harassing wild animals and protects wildlife populations, directly supporting environmental conservation and natural resource protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 20, 2025

LC 306: Generally revise laws related to the department of commerce

This bill updates Montana's Department of Commerce laws to clarify how lodging facility use tax revenue is collected and distributed across various state programs. It establishes specific percentages of tax proceeds that must be allocated to agencies including the Montana Historical Society, University System, Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks, and regional tourism corporations to support historical preservation, travel research, park maintenance, and tourism marketing. The legislation also expands the Emergency Lodging for Victims of Domestic Violence or Human Trafficking program by making it permanent and increasing its funding share from the tax revenue. Additionally, it creates conditions where funds may be redirected to nonprofit convention and visitors bureaus in certain areas or used for state tourism promotion if regional tourism corporations fail to submit approved marketing plans.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill clarifies lodging facility use tax revenue collection and distribution to fund state programs including historical preservation, university research, parks maintenance, and tourism marketing.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates funds to Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks for park maintenance, supporting environmental conservation and natural resource protection.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax Conservation Parks & Recreation Wildlife

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 27, 2024

LC 3034: Revise fish and wildlife commission techniques for gray wolf management

This bill amends Montana's gray wolf management laws to give the Fish and Wildlife Commission more flexibility in setting hunting and trapping regulations. It allows the commission to apply different techniques across regions, including permitting multiple wolf licenses per person, unlimited harvests per license, and the use of night vision or thermal scopes for hunting. The legislation also enables landowners to take wolves on their property without a license if the animals threaten livestock, dogs, or human safety, provided they report the taking and stay within annual quotas. Additionally, public land permittees with livestock depredation issues can obtain special permits to remove wolves without purchasing standard licenses.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill increases wolf hunting/trapping flexibility and removes conservation restrictions, weakening environmental protections for wildlife populations.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands Wildlife

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 3, 2024

LC 512: Revise law related to damage-based muskrat and beaver harvesting

This bill updates Montana's laws to allow year-round trapping or hunting of beaver and muskrat that damage rural or urban structures, in addition to existing protections for irrigation projects and stock water ponds. It requires landowners or employees to obtain a permit from the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to remove these animals during the closed season, except between June 1 and August 31 when no permit is needed. The legislation also clarifies that "urban developed structures" are now included alongside rural structures in the list of protected properties eligible for damage-based removal. Violations of the new rules carry fines up to $1,000, possible jail time, and a 24-month suspension of hunting, fishing, or trapping privileges.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill permits year-round hunting of beaver and muskrat, which are natural ecosystem components, potentially weakening wildlife conservation and habitat protection.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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vetoed · Montana · Senate Jul 11, 2025

SB 537: Generally revise marijuana tax laws

SB 537 revises Montana's marijuana tax revenue distribution, directing funds from the marijuana state special revenue account to new and existing state accounts. It requires transferring excess funds annually to specific accounts, including 12% to the HEART account for addiction treatment and mental health programs, 20% to wildlife habitat projects, and 14% to behavioral health initiatives. The bill also allocates funds for law enforcement canine training, sexual assault evidence kits, and homeless shelter support, while modifying existing transfer rules for agencies like the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. These changes apply to all state agencies receiving marijuana tax revenue under Montana law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects marijuana tax revenue to specific public service accounts (12% to addiction treatment, 20% to wildlife, 14% to behavioral health), increasing funding for state programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates 12% to HEART account for addiction treatment and 14% to behavioral health initiatives, directly supporting rehabilitation programs aligned with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates 20% of marijuana tax revenue to wildlife habitat projects, directly funding environmental conservation as specified in bill summary.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates 12% to HEART for addiction/mental health and 14% to behavioral health, directly funding healthcare programs under healthcare topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Drug Policy Violent Crime Wildlife Substance Abuse

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signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 330: Create auction or lottery licenses for antelope and swans

HB 330 creates a new system for issuing special hunting licenses for antelope and swans. Each year, the state commission may offer one antelope and one swan license through a competitive auction or lottery. Wildlife conservation organizations can be authorized to conduct these events, retaining a small portion of the proceeds to cover expenses. All remaining funds generated from these license sales will be used by the department specifically for the conservation and management of antelope and migratory game birds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill dedicates auction/lottery proceeds to antelope/swan conservation management, directly funding environmental protection efforts per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 564: Require mandatory reporting of deer and elk hunting activity

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates wildlife activity reporting for sustainable management, aligning with conservation and natural resource protection under Fish and Wildlife subjects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 222: Creating open wolf hunting season until the population is 600 or fewer

HB 222 proposed creating a year-round open wolf hunting season in Montana. This season would have an unlimited quota, meaning there would be no limit on the number of wolves that could be hunted. The hunting season would continue until the statewide wolf population reached 600 or fewer, at which point it could be closed. The bill aimed to amend existing state law to mandate that the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission authorize this specific wolf hunting season.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill mandates unrestricted wolf hunting to reduce population below conservation levels, directly opposing wildlife protection efforts and conservation requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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