Environment (Wildlife)

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 353: Revise shed hunting requirements

House Bill 353 grants the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks the authority to manage the collection of naturally shed antlers and horns from elk, deer, and antelope, as well as those with a skull or portion of a skull attached. The bill establishes new licensing requirements, instituting a $10 Class F-1 license for residents and a $50 Class F-2 license for nonresidents who collect these items. Landowners, their immediate family, and employees are exempt from needing a license when collecting on their own land. This legislation also provides the department with rulemaking authority, implements a waiting period for nonresidents, and revises criminal acts related to possessing sheds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill regulates shed antler collection via licensing to manage wildlife resources, aligning with conservation goals under Fish and Wildlife subject.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 403: Grant the fish and wildlife commission authority to set muzzleloader season

SB 403 would have granted Montana's Fish and Wildlife Commission the authority to set the specific dates and duration for the state's annual muzzleloader heritage hunting season, replacing a previously fixed schedule. This change would directly affect hunters using traditional muzzleloading rifles for deer and elk during this designated season. The bill would have allowed the Commission to adjust the season dates and length based on wildlife management needs, rather than requiring it to follow a fixed timeline (e.g., "second Saturday after regular season for 9 days"). The season itself would have permitted hunting deer or elk with muzzleloaders using specific ammunition and firearm types, as defined by existing regulations.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill enables wildlife management adjustments for conservation, aligning with fish/wildlife conservation subject and wildlife management needs in summary.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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vetoed · Montana · House Jun 27, 2025

HB 283: Revise laws for hunting licenses lotteries

HB 283 would allow Montana's wildlife commission to issue one male mountain sheep and one male Shiras moose hunting license annually through a lottery or auction, instead of traditional methods. Hunters seeking these licenses would enter the lottery, and any proceeds from sales would fund conservation efforts for these species, with wildlife groups allowed to retain up to 10% of proceeds to cover lottery costs. The bill specifies that all remaining funds must directly benefit mountain sheep and moose management, supplementing existing department budgets. Note: This bill was vetoed by the governor and the legislature failed to override the veto, so it is not currently law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates hunting license proceeds to fund mountain sheep/moose conservation, directly advancing species protection through dedicated funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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died · Montana · House Feb 21, 2025

HB 559: Revise river usage laws related to commercial fishing, outfitting, and guiding

HB 559, which was withdrawn on February 21, 2025, proposed establishing two weekly "commercial fishing, guiding, and outfitting-free days" on specific Montana rivers (including the Bitterroot, Clark Fork, Madison, and Yellowstone) between May 30 and Labor Day. It would have required the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to designate stretches of these rivers where commercial operations are prohibited on two days weekly (one must be Saturday), aiming to reduce overcrowding. The bill directly affected commercial fishing outfitters, guides, and recreational users by altering access during peak summer months. Rulemaking was required by May 15, 2026, but the bill was withdrawn before committee action.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill limits commercial river use to reduce overcrowding, conserving natural resources and protecting river ecosystems through designated free days for fishing/guiding operations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 21, 2025

LC 1442: Establishing a surcharge for hunters and anglers who lease land

This bill requires hunters and anglers who lease land for hunting or fishing to pay a 10% surcharge on their annual lease payment when purchasing a Montana conservation license. The surcharge revenue must fund the state's block management program, which supports wildlife habitat conservation. Applicants must disclose lease details - including annual payment amount, duration, and partnership structure - during license application. Failure to provide this information may result in a five-year suspension of hunting and fishing privileges.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 10% surcharge on hunting/fishing land leases to fund wildlife conservation program, directly allocating tax revenue to public service under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates 10% surcharge revenue to fund wildlife habitat conservation via block management program, directly advancing environmental protection through dedicated funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Procurement Conservation Wildlife

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 2407: Establish program for improving wildlife habitat on state lands

This bill establishes a state grant program to improve wildlife habitat on Montana's state lands. It allows land users (lessees/permittees), non-profits, and state agencies like the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to apply for funding. Applicants must detail projects, secure land user and agency concurrence, and align with specific existing funding accounts (upland bird habitat, wetland, and wildlife habitat improvement accounts). Projects must meet wildlife requirements tied to these accounts, and the department must report funded projects to the legislature annually.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates grant program for wildlife habitat improvement on state lands, directly funding conservation of natural resources and wildlife habitats per bill's purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 533: Define public purpose of easements on state lands

This bill clarifies the definition of "public purpose" for granting easements on Montana state lands. It specifically updates the legal list of acceptable uses to include conservation easements for the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (for parcels surrounded by their land as of 2001) and for certain nonprofit conservation groups. The bill also formally lists cemeteries, community buildings, and public trails as qualifying public uses, while maintaining existing provisions for schools, parks, and utility infrastructure. This change directly affects landowners, state agencies, and nonprofits seeking easements on state lands.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExplicitly adds conservation easements for wildlife dept and nonprofits to public purpose list, advancing land conservation efforts on state lands.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands Wildlife

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signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 855: Establish FWP wildlife highway crossings and accommodation account

House Bill 855 establishes a dedicated funding mechanism for projects aimed at reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions across Montana. It authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Commission to create a specialty license plate, with a $20 donation from its sale and renewal deposited into a new "Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account." Funds in this account, which also accepts gifts and grants, are statutorily appropriated to the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. These funds will be used for the design, construction, maintenance, and study of wildlife crossings and related accommodations on state roadways, improving safety for both drivers and wildlife.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated revenue stream ($20 license plate donations) and statutorily appropriates funds to wildlife safety projects, advancing budget allocation for public services.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wildlife highway crossings to reduce vehicle collisions, conserving wildlife habitats and reducing human-wildlife conflict through dedicated appropriations.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds wildlife highway crossings to reduce vehicle collisions, directly enhancing transportation safety through dedicated infrastructure projects.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 661: Generally revise laws related to the unlawful harassment or harm of game animals, birds, fur-bearers, and predators

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExtends wildlife protections by criminalizing harming animals from vehicles/devices, strengthening conservation measures under Fish and Wildlife subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 427: Provide trapping setback distances for certain roads and trails

SB 427 establishes minimum distance requirements for trapping on Montana's public lands near developed areas. It requires trappers to set traps at least 50 feet from roads/trails, 1,000 feet from campgrounds/recreation sites (including boat ramps), and 300 feet from trailheads (with 1,000 feet for lethal traps). The bill directly affects trappers operating on public lands, particularly those near popular recreation areas, and gives the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission authority to adjust these distances in high-use zones. The provisions aim to reduce conflicts between trapping activities and public recreation by creating physical buffers around developed sites.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes setback distances to protect wildlife near recreation areas, aligning with conservation goals by reducing human-wildlife conflict in sensitive zones.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Lands Wildlife

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