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Committee hears bill to tighten eligibility for landowner-preference hunting licenses
Summary
The House Fish and Wildlife and Parks Committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 235, a bill that would tighten eligibility for Montana's landowner-preference hunting licenses by clarifying language and closing identified loopholes.
The House Fish and Wildlife and Parks Committee opened a hearing on Senate Bill 235, a bill that would tighten eligibility for Montana's landowner-preference hunting licenses by clarifying language and closing what supporters described as loopholes.
Supporters told the committee the measure is intended to preserve the integrity of a long-standing program that gives landowners preference in permit allocations as a way to thank owners who provide year-round habitat and feed for wildlife.
Senate Bill 235 would narrow the circumstances under which a landowner qualifies for preference permits, including a requirement discussed in testimony that a qualifying landowner own 640 contiguous acres. Sponsor remarks described the bill as a "small fix to a potentially large problem" aimed at preventing abuse of the preference system and maintaining public hunting access and fair-chase principles.
Ben Lam of the Montana Conservation Society said the bill's three components "are much needed reforms to the landowner preference system" and asked the committee for a due pass. Tom Jacobson of the Montana Wildlife Federation said the bill "ensures permits go to legitimate land owners while maintaining public hunting access and upholding fair chase principles." Ellie Brighton of the Montana Stock Growers Association also voiced support.
Quentin Kujala, chief of conservation policy for Fish, Wildlife & Parks, appeared as an informational witness and said agency staff would stand for questions from the committee. Committee members asked about details of how the preference permits are used and applied. During questions Representative Marler sought clarification whether preference tags are restricted to the private property of the landowner; an informational answer stated that the "640 permit pool are applied district wide." The record does not show a committee vote during the hearing.
No opponents testified in the room or online. The sponsor closed by asking for committee support, saying the bill "will help maintain high accountability and high level integrity" for the program.
The hearing ended without a recorded committee action; next steps for the bill were not announced during the session.
