The legislation calls for a comprehensive study led by the environmental quality council and interim committees, tasked to explore potential replacements for the program. This study is intended to pivot from a focus on solely producing pheasants to new partnerships and methods that leverage existing resources. The biennial budget includes a $50,000 appropriation to support this necessary research, emphasizing the importance of transitioning into a new framework intended to enhance both wildlife and correctional objectives.
Summary
House Bill 826 aims to phase out the pen-raised pheasant program in Montana, initially established by legislation in 2021. The bill mandates a gradual reduction in funding and production of pheasants, targeting a 25% reduction each year until the program is fully terminated by 2027. This initiative is proposed to allow for a thorough evaluation of alternatives for the program's operation, which historically collaborated with correctional facilities for production. It intends to assess any new paths that could maintain the partnership between wildlife management and corrections while fulfilling their respective missions.
Contention
The proposed phase-out of the pen-raised pheasant program has sparked discussion regarding its environmental and legal implications. Critics may voice concerns about the potential repercussions on both wildlife population management and the ramifications for correctional enterprises that have relied on this program for rehabilitation purposes. The evaluation and proposed changes could lead to contentious debates about resource allocation and the scope of wildlife management's role in community safety and environmental stewardship, raising questions on the balance between rehabilitation efforts and ecological integrity.