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SB 257 Montana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Generally revise Smith River permit laws

Senate Bill 257 revises the permit laws for the Smith River waterway. It increases the cost for nonresidents to purchase a bonus point for the Smith River permit lottery from $50 to $125. This change directly affects nonresidents applying for permits to float and camp on the Smith River. The additional revenue generated from these bonus points will be deposited into the Smith River corridor enhancement account, which funds projects to protect and improve the river's natural beauty, recreational values, fisheries, and wildlife habitat.
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases nonresident permit fees (tax-like revenue) to fund Smith River corridor projects, directly allocating new revenue to a specific enhancement account.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs increased permit fees to Smith River corridor enhancement account funding projects to protect and improve river's natural beauty and recreation, directly advancing environmental conservation.95% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 3, 2025 Signed May 13, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB0257_X(3).pdf → SB0257_X(4).pdf · 1 edit
MINOR
The bill text shows minor formatting adjustments, such as the removal of extra blank lines and the elimination of bracketed placeholder text like '[This act]' in the effective date section. These changes do not alter the bill's substantive policy, meaning the cost for nonresident Smith River bonus points and the immediate effective date remain exactly as previously drafted.
Scope change
No change in scope or applicability; the bill continues to apply to nonresident anglers seeking Smith River bonus points.
TECHNICAL

Removed unnecessary blank lines and deleted bracketed placeholder text from the effective date clause, streamlining the document without changing its legal effect.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 26, 2025 · House Apr 16, 2025

How they voted

46–4
Passed
Total votes 50
Feb 26, 2025
D Democratic18
18 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican32
28 Yea 4 Nay
87% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
41
Key actions
9
Committee
6
May 9, 2025
Signed into law
(S) Signed by Governor
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
Apr 16, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (96-2-2)
house
Apr 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (46-4)
senate
Feb 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Fish and Game
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Fish and Game
upper
Feb 5, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Fish and Game
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
(S) Introduced
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Laura Smith
Laura Smith
DDemocratic
MT
40