Committee advances two trail bills, tables aquatic invasive species measure

The Montana House Fish and Wildlife Committee took executive action on multiple bills at the close of its Feb. 1 hearing session, advancing three measures to the House floor and tabling a fourth.

Actions taken: - Senate Bill 83: Motion to pass was adopted in executive action and the bill will advance to the House floor. Committee leadership announced unanimous support. - Senate Bill 165: The committee advanced the bill that would impose a $5 trail enhancement fee on each snowmobile rental and direct the money to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks for grooming and repair. The committee advanced SB 165 by voice vote with recorded proxies; leadership announced unanimous support. - Senate Bill 310: The committee advanced the Trail Stewardship Grant Program bill that codifies a 40% motorized/40% nonmotorized/20% diversified split and expands eligible uses; the measure was advanced by voice vote with proxies recorded and announced unanimous support. - House Bill 829: After debate and a motion to table, the committee took a roll-call vote to table HB 829 (a measure revising laws related to aquatic invasive species management). The clerk announced the tally as 17 yes to table, 3 no; the bill was tabled and removed from further immediate consideration.

Representative France moved to advance or table where appropriate during executive action. Committee members used proxy votes in several voice votes; the committee identified House sponsors or carriers for advanced bills (Representative Oblander was named as the House carrier for SB 165 and SB 310).

The committee noted internal legislative deadlines for staff and bill drafters later the same day. The items advanced will appear on the House calendar for floor consideration; the tabled aquatic invasive species measure may be taken up again at the committee’s discretion.