HB 829 Montana House · 2025 Regular Session

Generally revise laws related to aquatic invasive species.

HB 829 aimed to update laws concerning aquatic invasive species management. It would have required individuals to complete a state-provided online awareness training course and pass a test before obtaining an aquatic invasive species prevention pass. The bill clarified that all vessel operators, including non-resident non-motorized vessels, must possess this pass to launch on state waters. Additionally, it would have increased the maximum civil penalty for certain violations related to aquatic invasive species from $2,500 to $25,000.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status died 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 28, 2025 Last action May 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB0829_1(2).pdf → HB0829_1(3).pdf · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands the list of sponsors and slightly adjusts the title to reflect new requirements. It mandates that all vessel operators obtain an Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass and complete a short training course. The bill increases civil penalties for violations from $2,500 to $25,000 and raises the fine for intentional violations to $975. The effective date for the act remains January 1, 2026.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to require all vessel operators (not just nonresidents) to obtain a prevention pass and complete mandatory awareness training.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandatory requirement for all vessel operators to obtain an Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass.

Added a requirement for vessel operators to complete a 30-minute aquatic invasive species awareness and education course.

ENFORCEMENT

Increased the civil penalty for violating invasive species regulations from $2,500 to $25,000.

Raised the fine for intentionally violating invasive species regulations from $500/$750 to $975.

ELIGIBILITY

Added new sponsors to the bill, including M. Dunwell, D. Lenz, A. Olsen, C. Pope, M. Yakawich, D. Zolnikov, D. Baum, M. Bertoglio, B. Close, C. Cochran, J. Darling, S. Demarois, L. Deming, C. Fitzpatrick, R. Gregg, C. Keogh, S. Klakken, J. Lynch, M. Marler, V. Moore, A. Regier, M. Romano, T. Running Wolf, J. Seckinger, K. Seekins-Crowe, F. Smith, J. Sooktis, and K. Zolnikov.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 25, 2025

Amended

(H) Tabled in Committee - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks

lower

Mar 1, 2025

Committee

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

lower

Feb 28, 2025

Introduced

(H) Introduced

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors