Committee approves bill allowing spouses/parents to carry electronic tags for family hunters

House Bill 98 would allow a hunter to carry and validate an electronically issued license, permit or tag for a spouse or a minor child when that person is hunting with them; the House Fish and Wildlife Committee approved the bill by voice vote.

Representative Gary Perry presented the bill for Fish, Wildlife & Parks, saying the change addresses a common practical problem: minors or spouses hunting with a family member may not have their own device to display an e‑tag, and losing a physical tag can disrupt a trip. Emily Cooper, licensing bureau chief at Fish, Wildlife & Parks, told the committee that the relevant statute (cited in testimony as MCA 876305) currently prohibits possession of another person’s electronic license or permit even when the licensee is present; HB 98 would allow a spouse or parent to carry a minor’s e‑tag while preserving the requirement that license holders validate their own license at harvest.

Tom Jacobson of the Montana Wildlife Federation testified in support, calling the bill a “good cleanup” that addresses a technical violation that has arisen under the shift to electronic tags. Committee members asked for clarification about what constitutes validation; Cooper explained that validation means electronically recording harvest (for e‑licenses) or writing time and date on a paper license.

Vice Chair Steve Hinkle moved the bill “do pass.” The committee approved HB 98 by voice vote in executive action and the clerk announced the ayes had it; no roll‑call tally was recorded. The bill will proceed to the full House.

Ending: Committee members noted the change corrects a technical compliance issue created by e‑licensing and does not alter validation responsibilities for license holders.