Bill > HB847

This bill provides funding specifically for managing grizzly bear populations in Montana's Region 3, which encompasses nine counties in Southwest Montana and covers approximately 12% of the state's land area. The legislation appropriates $210,000 from the general license account to the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks for the 2025-2027 biennium, with the primary purpose of funding two full-time bear technician positions in Region 3. The bill recognizes the growing challenges of human-wildlife interactions as bear populations expand and human development increases in the region. By adding these dedicated staff members, the bill aims to improve the agency's capacity to respond to and manage potential conflicts, addressing the region's vast and challenging terrain that makes timely incident response difficult. The appropriation is intended to be supplemental to the department's base funding, and the legislature expects the funding to be considered part of the ongoing base budget in future legislative sessions. The bill will become effective on July 1, 2025, and is designed to support more proactive and responsive grizzly bear management in the specified region.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3715