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Senate committee restores statewide trapping setback distances to match FWP guide
Summary
SB 427, as amended, moves to the floor after the committee adopted language that reinstates statewide trapping setback distances from the fur‑bearer guide; sponsor said the change responds to complaints after a recent commission carve‑out for Ravalli County.
Senator Willis Curti (Senate District 49) introduced SB 427 to revert trapping setback distances statewide to those contained in the Fish and Wildlife Commission’s fur‑bearer guide. Curti told the committee that a 2024 commission adoption had created a narrower setback in Ravalli County that generated complaints about safety near roads and trails. "This bill does one thing and goes back to setting the setbacks statewide," Curti said.
Patrick Yawaki, representing tribal communities and organizations, testified in support, noting the importance of trail access and safety for visitors and tribal cultural use. Ron Howell (FWP) explained the commission process and confirmed that the department enforces commission‑adopted setbacks. Several senators asked whether the change simply restored longstanding statewide distances; the sponsor and Howell said the amendment verbatim inserts the guide’s setbacks into law.
The committee adopted the sponsor’s amendment (which implements the guide distances in statute) and then advanced SB 427 as amended. The chair recorded one nay on the final voice vote but declared the bill passed by the committee and sent to the Senate floor.
