Environment

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 2203: Revise fines related to aquatic invasive species

This bill increases fines for illegally transporting aquatic invasive species in Montana and updates penalty structures for different types of violations. It directly affects individuals who transport or introduce invasive species into state waters, including boaters and anglers. The key changes raise maximum fines for negligent violations from $500 to $1,000 for first offenses and from $750 to $1,500 for subsequent offenses, while increasing fines for intentional violations from $975 to $1,950. Additionally, the bill maintains provisions allowing courts to confiscate fishing licenses and vessel decals for intentional violations, and establishes a felony penalty with up to two years in prison and fines up to $10,000 for knowingly attempting to introduce invasive species.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill increases fines for illegally transporting aquatic invasive species, strengthening environmental protections and conserving natural resources by deterring harmful introductions.90% confidence

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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 857: Establishing a surcharge for hunters and anglers who lease land

HB 857 proposes to establish a surcharge for hunters and anglers who lease private land for hunting or fishing. Individuals who lease land would be required to declare their lease and pay an additional 10% of their annual lease payment to the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks when purchasing a conservation license. The revenues generated from this surcharge would be specifically used to fund the state's block management program. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the revocation of hunting and fishing privileges for at least five years.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds block management program for fish/wildlife/parks via surcharge, directly supporting conservation of natural resources as stated in summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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died · Montana · Legislature May 22, 2025

LC 536: Transfer sage grouse oversight to DNRC

This bill (LC 536) proposed transferring responsibility for managing sage grouse populations from its current agency to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). If enacted, it would have directly affected state wildlife management practices and the agencies involved in conserving sage grouse habitat. The key provision was shifting oversight authority and management duties to DNRC. However, the bill was canceled in December 2024 and ultimately died in the legislative process on May 22, 2025, so it never became law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTransferring sage grouse management to DNRC (natural resources agency) directly advances habitat conservation under Environmental Protection, aligning with conservation-focused intent per bill subjects and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 146: Revise hunting license fees to include cranes and swans

HB 146 establishes new hunting license fees for sandhill cranes and swans in Montana. It adds $10 for resident and $50 for nonresident application fees for these species, plus $10 resident/$75 nonresident licenses for cranes and swans (requiring also a $5.50 migratory game bird license). All fees collected for these licenses and applications will fund Montana's wetland conservation efforts through the state special revenue account. The law takes effect March 1, 2026, after being signed by the Governor on April 7, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesNew fees establish dedicated revenue stream for wetland conservation, directly funding a state program through special revenue account.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly directs fees to fund wetland conservation, directly advancing environmental protection through dedicated revenue.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 57: Designate quail as upland game bird

HB 57 would amend Montana law to officially include California quail and Gambel's quail in the state's definition of "upland game birds" under Section 87-2-101, MCA. This change would directly affect hunters and wildlife managers by adding these quail species to the list of birds subject to regulated hunting seasons, bag limits, and conservation practices already applied to birds like pheasants and grouse. The bill specifically updates the legal definition without altering hunting seasons or regulations, ensuring these quail would be managed under existing upland game bird frameworks. The bill was introduced by request of the Environmental Quality Council but died in process on May 22, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill formalizes quail conservation under existing wildlife management, aligning with conservation practices for upland game birds like pheasants and grouse.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 717: Revise transfer of mining operator to successor

HB 717 revises the process for transferring mining operation permits to successor operators, especially when an original operator has a forfeited bond and fails to complete reclamation. It grants the state's Department the power of eminent domain to acquire surface, mineral, or other property interests within a mining permit boundary under specific conditions. This power can be exercised if the department finds it is in the public interest for taxpayers and environmental protection, and a successor operator is available to take over the permit and complete reclamation. The bill also outlines how compensation is determined in these eminent domain cases, considering factors like reclamation costs and existing liabilities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly authorizes state use of eminent domain for environmental protection when mining reclamation is incomplete, strengthening enforcement of post-mining environmental restoration.90% confidence

died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 3345: Eliminate reimbursements for hunting or trapping wolves

This bill eliminates reimbursements for costs incurred while hunting or trapping wolves in Montana. It amends Montana Code Annotated 87-6-214 by removing subsection (1)(d), which previously allowed licensed hunters and trappers to be reimbursed for expenses related to wolf hunting or trapping. The change directly affects licensed wolf hunters and trappers by ending state-funded reimbursement for their operational costs. The policy shift aligns with Montana's adherence to wildlife conservation principles that prohibit commercial exchange for harvested wildlife. The amendment takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill eliminates state reimbursements for wolf hunting/trapping, directly aligning with wildlife conservation policies to protect wolf populations under Montana's conservation framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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