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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
HB 847 proposed to provide funding for grizzly bear management in Montana. The bill aimed to appropriate $210,000 annually from the general license account to the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) for the biennium starting July 1, 2025. This funding was specifically designated to create and support two new full-time bear technician positions within FWP Region 3, located in Southwest Montana. These technicians would assist in managing human-wildlife interactions and conflicts as grizzly bear populations expand in the region. The legislature intended for this appropriation to become part of FWP's ongoing base funding.
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.
This bill revises how Montana allocates marijuana tax revenue, directing funds to specific state accounts after covering department operating costs. It requires 10% of excess funds to support addiction treatment programs (HEART account), 20% for wildlife habitat projects, 4% each to state parks/trails, and 31% for law enforcement grants to local police departments. Additional allocations include $300,000 for drug detection canines (ending 2025), 1.5% for sexual assault evidence kits, and 0.25% to homeless shelter support. These changes amend existing tax distribution rules under Montana law, affecting state agencies including wildlife, public health, and law enforcement. The bill does not change marijuana taxation rates but specifies new spending priorities for existing revenue.
