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Legislation would add black bears to Montana livestock-loss reimbursement program
Summary
Representative Eric Tillman introduced House Bill 356 (introduced in the hearing as 366/356) to expand the Montana Livestock Loss Reduction and Mitigation Program to include black-bear depredation; proponents — ranchers, Farm Bureau, tribes, and livestock organizations — told the Senate Agriculture Committee the funding exists and would create
House Bill 3 56 (introduced in the hearing as both "366" and "356") was presented to the Senate Agriculture Committee to add black bears to the list of predators eligible for loss reimbursement through the Montana Livestock Loss Board. Supporters — ranchers, industry groups and tribal representatives — told the committee the change would treat black-bear losses the same as losses from other state-managed predators and that current funds can cover initial claims.
Representative Eric Tillman, sponsor, said the bill "is another beautiful piece of legislation" that would add black bears to the Livestock Loss Board's eligible predators and noted the board was created in 2007 to address wolf predation; he pointed to a small historic payout volume and a current fund balance as reasons the committee should consider adding black bears.
Merrill McKamey, a fourth-generation rancher and proponent, said black-bear predation "accounts for no less than 10 and sometimes up to 20 lambs and ewes a year" on his operation and argued: "It only makes sense that livestock losses caused by black bears would be treated the same as losses incurred by wolves and mountain lions." Nicole Rolfe of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation and representatives from livestock organizations also testified in support.
Department of Livestock deputy executive officer Bridal Simonson (interim executive director for the Livestock Loss Board) described the verification and claims process and the role of USDA Wildlife Services in on-site verification: "They will come out in an expedient manner, usually the same day," Simonson said, describing how verified predation leads to paperwork submitted to the Livestock Loss Board.
Funding and scope: Witnesses told the committee the board's account recently received additional appropriations in prior sessions and that current spending levels have left a multi-hundred-thousand-dollar balance. Committee discussion referenced a prior $150,000 increase and testimony that the board receives roughly $450,000 annually underwriting reimbursements and mitigation grants. Sponsor Tillman referenced Wildlife Services data showing the highest recent year for sheep losses to black bear was 2022: "25 sheep that were lost due to black bear, 10 lambs, 6 goats," and said the fiscal note indicated the board has funds available to cover the addition at this time.
Committee members asked about verification timelines, which animals are typically affected (lambs, goats, young calves), and whether adding black bears would prompt claims for other species. Witnesses and proponents said the program reimburses losses from state- or federally managed apex predators and does not cover varmint species such as coyotes.
Ending: The hearing closed after sponsor remarks and testimony; no committee vote was recorded. Proponents asked the committee to give the bill a favorable report so it could advance.
