Veterans

This joint resolution recognizes the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and honors the military service of Montanans who served in that war. It highlights the contributions of over 75,000 Montanans, including specific regiments, women, and Native American service members, as well as homefront efforts.

HB 448 establishes the Jim Loud Thunder Gopher memorial highway on the existing northwest bypass and Vaughn road in Great Falls, Cascade County. It directs the Department of Transportation to install signs and include the memorial highway on future state maps.

This resolution confirms the Governor's appointment of Richard Klose to the Board of Veterans' Affairs. The Montana Senate voted to concur with this appointment, allowing Mr. Klose to serve a term ending August 1, 2027.

HB 244 revises hunting and fishing license provisions for Montana residents serving in the armed forces. It allows eligible members of the National Guard, federal reserve, or active duty who served at least two months outside the state in a contingency operation to receive a free resident conservation license and a fishing or combination sports license for five years, with the option to reset this period after subsequent deployments. The bill also guarantees that service members who forfeited a drawn license due to deployment can receive that same license upon their return without additional cost. The Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks will be reimbursed from the state's general fund for the cost of these free licenses.