[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6323283,"mediaKeyId","2342676-decb859525a5ac30e18e4d55755cc5e5","parentId",2342676,"title","Committee amends and concurs on House Bill 106, adjusting sign spacing and fee language for shooting preserves","audioSeconds",486,"startMs",4110000,"endMs",4596000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2342676-decb859525a5ac30e18e4d55755cc5e5&start=4110&end=4596","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2342676-decb859525a5ac30e18e4d55755cc5e5/thumbnail_4110000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6323283/Montana/Committee-amends-and-concurs-on-House-Bill-106-adjusting-sign-spacing-and-fee-language-for-shooting-preserves","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323283-0c25f1b82d365077383861c19fb3f5bc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775082031&Signature=RHUIQXejkvDwlWQP~OFPFPBCcjPmiNBUt-FVTjLfi2mbmAVrSMz5oYOoPVHsu8kVfUGwV7sl-qvufDbHbUJWyzo8Xw9uMoB8Z~ASduw255yk0qgB7vGCPh0ejvotvD~FTLXaqIGCsEFKDnxwlGulmPOtYJcLzXZsXwuNj3NpTPNNNVWQBQUpbI6-3VEyGkCixsb6tVQbGLC6bmnpF37SPou3Xn-jJ9uI2LBGQkU2vjnnLUTvfi29K-pcVS4v3u5qYjo530zOdBHkL30xjkbjN1PSNagAlKOQOkRmR56WR5Igg3aOvhUkFki5wkkMYr0wKmcUcOufkE245fN~ueqa4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Fish and Game Committee took executive action on House Bill 106, a bill revising shooting preserve requirements. Senator Hertz offered an amendment changing a provision that originally required signs \"every 250 feet or less\" to a spacing of one-quarter mile and adding a requirement that each shooting preserve must have a minimum of two signs regardless of size. \"...decided to put in there, at 1 quarter mile,\" Hertz said when explaining the amendment and noted the department supported the change.

The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote. The record includes several senators voting \"aye by proxy\" during the voice vote: Senator Novak, Senator Smith, Senator McGillivray (recorded as \"aye by proxy\"), Senator Nolan and Senator Ellsworth were named in the hearing record as having voted aye by proxy. The chair declared the amendment passed.

Senator Hertz then moved that House Bill 106, as amended, be concurred in by the committee. The committee again approved the motion by voice vote; the hearing record again shows multiple \"aye by proxy\" statements for committee members. The chair announced the bill would move to the floor.

No additional debate or roll-call tally was recorded in the hearing; the minutes show the committee concluded business and adjourned. The chair reminded members of an upcoming hearing on a separate bill (wolves) scheduled for Thursday.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Fish and Game Feb 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Fish and Game Committee amended House Bill 106 to change required sign spacing for shooting preserves to one-quarter mile and required a minimum of two signs per preserve, then voted to concur in the bill as amended; senators cast voice votes with several recorded aye-by-proxy statements.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6323288,"Committee hears bill to let hunters donate to pay for archery modifications for hunters with disabilities",1901,2140000,4041000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2342676-decb859525a5ac30e18e4d55755cc5e5&start=2140&end=4041","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2342676-decb859525a5ac30e18e4d55755cc5e5/thumbnail_2140000.jpg","/articles/6323288/Montana/Committee-hears-bill-to-let-hunters-donate-to-pay-for-archery-modifications-for-hunters-with-disabilities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323288-f82a8d137c36a8ca70b74b0255628a04/orig.mp4?Expires=1775082031&Signature=RDfAFTwWsKJjkIp6lAcWtnyGTyqDvn6aTchFMBxgvnrto9YpPmzV8cnXjEwxS~89uWozYWDHefc8fRSH3Yh7bO7d0I7TU6LFexzfWp5Xf3QhmsPxMnpA~Xv-84DnEaSSsKjRjApRmKTHmYgR2fgeCQUH3PgK3~9~AvJbHimXGMJksOiZKBp8LVdho7Sujmr0ZM~DkdD-Dp-XYEVJKhefrqbg1cOMqEiqdHV6LDrx5-a6bLO2lBtwe30s~N8cdLiBmkEdQVes7-JG2cWRodWXskL-2ggJR68e3VAN3SJkLsoodKXTz4oSOcZ9bQfMBHeL2Y4-Ol2sFpOXBp9S5cWpjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Janet Ellis introduced Senate Bill 238 to the Senate Fish and Game Committee, saying the measure would allow hunters to voluntarily donate funds to a new account that would pay to modify legal archery equipment for hunters with disabilities.

\"This bill will set up a bow hunters with disability account and let these voluntary donations come in,\" Ellis said, telling the committee the program would be administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) and operated in partnership with nonprofits that provide the modifications.

Ellis framed the proposal on programs already in place. She said Hunters Against Hunger (established in 2014) has about 8% participation and has raised about $123,000 to date (about $5.90 per donor), and that a wolf mitigation account (established in 2020) gets donations from roughly 6% of hunters and has raised about $114,000 (about $6.90 per donor).

Several hunting and veterans organizations testified in support. Jerry Davis of the Montana Bow Hunters Association, which currently provides many modifications for recipients, said \"This isn't a bill about archery equipment.\" He said MBA has paid for modifications but, as \"a very small organization,\" cannot both expand youth outreach and continue to cover modification costs without additional, voluntary donor support. Davis described customized triggers and machining needed for some modifications and asked the committee to give SB 238 a \"do pass.\"

Members of veteran and hunter groups told personal stories about recipients who gained meaningful access to hunting. Pete Siegel, a Billings resident who uses a modified bow, said modifying a bow is ‘‘too cost prohibitive’’ for many disabled hunters on fixed incomes and said he would voluntarily add money to his application if the program existed. Rob Rule of the Center for Warriors Foundation described veterans who benefited from modified equipment and urged committee support.

FWP licensing bureau chief Emily Cooper said the department would implement the program similar to other donation options on license applications. She told senators a fiscal note had been requested and was forthcoming; the department expected implementation would be straightforward because the donation mechanism mirrors existing programs. Cooper also said FWP would collect donations on behalf of qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations and those organizations would apply to FWP for reimbursement of modification costs.

Committee members asked whether a single 501(c)(3) would be the recipient and how veterans' and disability organizations would participate. Testifiers and FWP staff said multiple nonprofits could be involved; organizations would apply to FWP to be reimbursed and a variety of 501(c)(3) groups — including possible new foundations operating under an existing 501(c)(3) umbrella — could receive funds. The sponsor told the committee the effective date in the bill aims at \"07/01/2025\" to make funds available for the upcoming archery season.

The hearing closed without a committee vote. Senator Ellis told the committee a fiscal note was nearly complete and encouraged senators to give the bill a due pass once the fiscal details were available.","Senate Bill 238 would create a voluntary donation option on hunting applications to fund modifications of legal archery equipment for hunters with disabilities, administered by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and paid to qualifying nonprofit organizations for modifications and reimbursements.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6323293,"Senate committee hears bill to codify new split and eligible uses for Trail Stewardship Grant Program",2047,170000,2217000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2342676-decb859525a5ac30e18e4d55755cc5e5&start=170&end=2217","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2342676-decb859525a5ac30e18e4d55755cc5e5/thumbnail_170000.jpg","/articles/6323293/Montana/Senate-committee-hears-bill-to-codify-new-split-and-eligible-uses-for-Trail-Stewardship-Grant-Program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6323293-f86dbf5fe46be6d4bc832742d5c55ee7/orig.mp4?Expires=1775082031&Signature=FaTTlO5h9t~54XVlkjMo9vegIxx3NCT31QFAd4GwrvxUmcNlENoZ5mbm9cWZoqJ70849G229EJhNh-s-jxl9aW1jrjPTAoL3hPsWhsN234V8G0GCxiREUVEtPcY3-Q3Lc1Nf5RauzgSxGtT3sGtK34z7Xl4zowAcAuZmM9SwRCi4tUf6MDkEhyLZE2TBJKQaeMftf5WswRVHwaSBl7hTrww59eEqkQzcj~Wo7Ci7yLrFcWb5K2JiZhHGcBE6mu94CxPBnkdkyHMgVT5cCZ8EwyKbyLj3b~bQ6zEfGzfaZzqpnJHCIbh2CsqNjFit~JeCag-SLu4O1Kn87sOPexHIbg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Barry Usher, sponsor of Senate Bill 310, told the Senate Fish and Game Committee that the bill would put into law a funding split for the Trail Stewardship Grant Program and expand the uses of the grant money.

\"This bill puts into law the split of the stewardship grant program,\" Usher said, adding that the change would not raise new money and that \"the $9 opt out fee on license plate applications is the primary source of funding for this grant program.\" Usher said the bill moves the program from an informal 30/30/40 split to a statutory 40% allocation for motorized projects, 40% for nonmotorized projects and 20% for projects that benefit both user groups.

The bill also clarifies eligible expenses. Usher said the funds may be used \"for the purchase of trail equipment and maintenance. It can be used for trail construction and maintenance. It can be used for safety education, ethics and economic and feasibility studies.\" He emphasized the bill \"does not raise any additional monies\" and is intended to formalize what has been an informal agreement.

Proponents told the committee they support the change and the clarified eligible uses. Fred Bailey, president of the Montana Snowmobile Association, said the change \"guarantees that each side gets their fair share of money\" and stressed the program helps pay for volunteer-driven work such as trail construction, latrines, parking lots and equipment rentals. Bailey noted the bill includes language allowing one side to apply for unused funds from the other side so \"we're not taking money away from anybody.\" EJ Redding of Citizens for Balanced Use and several individual users described local examples of motorized and nonmotorized groups cooperating to maintain trails.

Fish, Wildlife & Parks assistant administrator Beth Shumate provided data to the committee. She said the program’s first grant allocations went out in calendar year 2021 and that the agency began tracking motorized vs. nonmotorized allocations in 2023. For the 2023 grant cycle Shumate said there were 43 total applications, eight of which were for motorized projects; motorized applicants requested $441,369, just under 30% of the available funds that cycle. For 2024 she said there were 40 applications and 28 projects were funded; again eight were motorized projects requesting roughly $418,000 while nonmotorized requests exceeded available funds. Shumate said she will provide the committee with a fuller breakdown including award locations, funding sources and historic distributions as a follow-up.

Tom Jacobson of the Montana Wildlife Federation testified in opposition, saying his group \"very softly opposes the bill\" because, in his view, previous cycles had not exhausted the motorized allocation and shifting percentages now may not address underlying need. He urged caution because federal funding shifts could increase reliance on state grants and volunteers.

Committee members pressed staff and witnesses on application notice, award history and eligibility. Shumate said FWP issues a statewide press release when the application cycle opens (typically in November, with a January closing date), posts application materials on the agency website and will provide the committee with the requested historical allocation and applicant data. She told senators that agencies and clubs including the U.S. Forest Service are eligible applicants.

The hearing closed with the sponsor noting stakeholders had met and agreed on a friendly amendment the group planned to propose; no final action on the bill was taken in the committee during this hearing.

Votes at the hearing: none — SB 310 was presented for public comment and committee questions; committee requested follow-up data from FWP.","Senate Bill 310 would change how Montana’s Trail Stewardship Grant Program allocates existing funds and clarify eligible uses, shifting an informal 30/30/40 split to a 40/40/20 allocation and adding eligible uses such as economic and feasibility studies and safety education.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee amends and concurs on House Bill 106, adjusting sign spacing and fee language for shooting preserves

Committee hears bill to let hunters donate to pay for archery modifications for hunters with disabilities

Senate committee hears bill to codify new split and eligible uses for Trail Stewardship Grant Program