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House Ag committee passes bill to add black bears to Montana Livestock Loss Board
Summary
The Montana House Agriculture Committee voted 17-0 to advance House Bill 356, which would make livestock owners eligible for reimbursement and grant funding for depredation by black bears and allow the Livestock Loss Board to enter tribal agreements.
The Montana House Agriculture Committee voted 17-0 to pass House Bill 356, which would add black bears to the list of species eligible for compensation and mitigation funding through the Montana Livestock Loss Board.
Sponsor Representative Eric Tillman, House District 23, introduced the bill, saying, “Were adding black bears to the livestock loss board.” The measure would allow livestock owners to file claims for verified depredation by black bears and would make black bears eligible for the boards grant funding for prevention projects such as electric fencing.
The bill drew unified support from livestock and conservation groups. Merrill Mckamey, a fourth-generation Cascade County rancher and ranch manager, told the committee that black bear predation is an ongoing problem on his operation: “Black bear predation accounts for no less than 10 ewes and lambs a year, and in some years, in excess of 20.” Representatives of the Montana Farm Bureau Federation, Montana Stock Growers Association, Montana Wool Growers Association, Montana Farmers Union and the Montana Wildlife Federation urged the committee to advance the bill, saying it would create parity with existing coverage for wolves, mountain lions and grizzly bears and provide producers access to prevention grants.
Brian Simonson, deputy executive officer for the Montana Department of Livestock, explained how the program is paid for and administered. He told the committee that the Livestock Loss Board receives appropriations through the legislature and described two revenue streams used for claims and prevention grants, noting operations funding and claims funding allocated through House Bill 2 and a statutory appropriation. Simonson said the board uses USDA Wildlife Services investigations to verify depredations before claims are paid and that market reports help determine compensation amounts.
Committee members asked about practical details, including verification timing and tribal lands. Simonson said USDA Wildlife Services investigates reported kills and that prompt reporting is important so carcasses can be verified. On tribal lands, he said the department does not currently have tribal agreements but that tribal members are exempt from the per-capita fee and that losses on tribal land can be paid through the Livestock Loss Board under the bill.
Committee discussion also touched on a separate request from Carbon County producers to add domestic bison; sponsors and members agreed that adding bison would require a different bill because it would change the title. Representative Tillman said the change would be handled as a separate measure.
After entering executive action, the committee took a voice vote. Ms. Bauer, committee clerk, reported a tally of 17 in favor and 0 opposed; Representatives Romano and Baum were recorded as voting aye by proxy. The committee chair announced, "House Bill 356 is passed, House Ag." The bill will proceed from committee for further legislative consideration; specific scheduling for next steps was not stated during the hearing.
