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69th Legislature 2025 HB 146.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HB 146
1 HOUSE BILL NO. 146
2 INTRODUCED BY G. PARRY, C. COCHRAN, E. TILLEMAN, T. FRANCE
3
4 A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REVISING LICENSE FEES FOR MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS;
5 CREATING FEES FOR SANDHILL CRANE AND SWAN APPLICATIONS AND LICENSES; REVISING THE
6 MIGRATORY GAME BIRD LICENSE FEE; PROVIDING FOR FUNDS FROM SANDHILL CRANE AND SWAN
7 LICENSE SALES TO BE DEPOSITED IN THE DEPARTMENT SPECIAL REVENUE ACCOUNT; AMENDING
8 SECTIONS 87-2-113 AND 87-2-411, MCA; AND PROVIDING A DELAYED EFFECTIVE DATE.”
9
10 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
11
12 Section 87-2-113, MCA, is amended to read:
13 "87-2-113.
14 determines a drawing is necessary prior to issuance of hunting licenses for any game species during a hunting
15 season, it shall collect a $5 per species application fee.
16 (b) The department shall collect the following per species special license application fees:
17 (i) moose--resident, $10; nonresident, $50;
18 (ii) mountain goat--resident, $10; nonresident, $50;
19 (iii) mountain sheep--resident, $10; nonresident, $50;
20 (iv) sandhill crane--resident, $10; nonresident, $50;
21 (v) swan--resident, $10; nonresident, $50;
22 (iv)(vi) wild buffalo or bison--resident, $10; nonresident, $50.
23 (2) (a) If a resident participates in the bonus point system adopted by the commission, the
24 department shall collect an additional application fee of $2 per species.
25 (b) If a nonresident participates in the bonus point system adopted by the commission, the
26 department shall collect an additional application fee of $20 per species.
27 (3) Application fees collected pursuant to this section must be deposited in the state special
28 revenue fund to the credit of the department as set forth in 87-1-601. ****
69th Legislature 2025 HB 146.1
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HB 146
1 (4) The payment of an application fee confers no hunting rights or privileges.
2 (5) The commission may waive the provisions of subsection (1) when a drawing is required for a
3 special season under 87-1-304."
4
5 Section 87-2-411, MCA, is amended to read:
6 "87-2-411.
7 (1) The fee for a resident to purchase the a migratory game bird license is $5.50 $10. The fee for a
8 nonresident to purchase the a migratory game bird license is $150.
9 (2) The fee for a resident to purchase a sandhill crane license is $10. The fee for a nonresident to
10 purchase a sandhill crane license is $75. A person who purchases a sandhill crane license must also purchase
11 a migratory game bird license.
12 (3) The fee for a resident to purchase a swan license is $10. The fee for a nonresident to purchase
13 a swan license is $75. A person who purchases a swan license must also purchase a migratory game bird
14 license.
15 (2)(4) Money received from the sale of migratory game bird, sandhill crane, and swan licenses must
16 be deposited in an account in the state special revenue fund for the use of the department and may be
17 expended only for the protection, conservation, and development of wetlands in Montana."
18
19 NEW SECTION. Section 3. [This act] is effective March 1, 2026.
20 - END -