HB 648 Montana House · 2025 Regular Session

Require FWP notification before the release of large predators

HB 648 requires the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) to provide advance notification before releasing or relocating large predators. The FWP must give verbal and written notice at least 30 days prior to the release or relocation of bears, mountain lions, or wolves. This notification is sent to county commissioners, sheriff's offices, and tribal governments within the affected county or tribal boundaries. The bill aims to ensure local consultation and coordination regarding large predator management policies.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Feb 21, 2025 Signed May 5, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB0648_X(1).pdf → HB0648_X(2).pdf · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill adds 'sheriff's office' to the list of entities that must receive notice when a large predator is relocated, ensuring law enforcement is informed alongside county commissioners and tribal governments. Additionally, the bill's title and text were updated to explicitly include 'sheriff's office' in the description of affected parties. These changes expand the notification requirements to include local law enforcement, ensuring they are aware of predator movements within their jurisdiction.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include sheriff's offices as mandatory recipients of relocation notices.

REQUIREMENT

Added 'sheriff's office' to the list of entities required to receive verbal and written notice before a large predator is relocated.

Updated the bill title and summary text to reflect the inclusion of sheriff's offices in the notification process.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 15, 2025 · House Mar 7, 2025

How they voted

46–4

Passed

Total votes 50

Apr 15, 2025

D Democratic18

14 Yea 4 Nay

77% Yea

R Republican32

32 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 1, 2025

Signed into law

(H) Signed by Governor

lower

Apr 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

(S) Signed by President

upper

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

(H) Signed by Speaker

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (46-4)

senate

Apr 9, 2025

Upper · Passed

(S) Committee Report - (S) Fish and Game

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Fish and Game

upper

Mar 14, 2025

Committee

(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Fish and Game

upper

Mar 7, 2025

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (97-2-1)

house

Mar 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

(H) Committee Report - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks

lower

Mar 1, 2025

Lower · Passed

(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks

lower

Feb 22, 2025

Committee

(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks

lower

Feb 21, 2025

Introduced

(H) Introduced

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors