Bill > HB907

This bill revises Montana's hunting license laws by making several key changes to application fees and the preference point system for nonresident hunters. The legislation increases the nonresident bonus point application fee from $20 to $25 per species and introduces a new provision allowing nonresident landowners to purchase an additional bonus point for elk or deer licenses if they own at least 640 contiguous acres, were enrolled in a department-administered private land hunting access program in the previous year, and have purchased a specific type of hunting license. The bill modifies how nonresident elk and deer licenses are distributed, maintaining a system where 75% of licenses are awarded based on accumulated preference points and 25% are allocated to applicants without preference points. Additionally, the bill repeals a previous section related to landowner preference for nonresident big game combination licenses and sets an effective date of March 1, 2026. The changes aim to provide more flexibility for nonresident landowners and adjust the licensing system to potentially improve hunting access and management. Fees collected from preference point purchases will continue to be allocated to various public access and conservation programs, with a small portion reserved for administrative costs.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3902