Bill > HB762

This bill requires the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to publish a comprehensive biennial river-use report detailing watercraft usage on 16 specific river stretches throughout the state, including popular rivers like the Blackfoot, Clark Fork, Bitterroot, Missouri, and Yellowstone Rivers. The report, to be published by October 1 of every even-numbered year and covering the period from May 15 to September 15, must enumerate the number of watercraft by type and purpose, including private watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, and tubes, as well as commercial watercraft used for fishing, guiding, floating, and whitewater rafting. To support this new reporting requirement, the bill appropriates $2.6 million from the state park account for the 2025-2027 biennium, with any unspent funds reverting back to the account by October 3, 2028. Additionally, the bill modifies existing state law to allow funds from motor vehicle registration fees dedicated to state parks to be used for producing this river-use report. The legislation will be effective immediately upon passage and will automatically terminate on October 2, 2028, providing a structured approach to gathering and reporting detailed recreational river usage data.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Budget and Finance

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC2565