Committee hears HB 648 to require FWP to notify local governments before large predator releases

Representative Brandon Lear introduced House Bill 648, which would require Fish, Wildlife and Parks to inform county commissioners, sheriffs and tribal governments about planned releases of large predators (black bears and grizzly bears were discussed explicitly) and to maintain an annual list of preapproved release sites. Peter Dudley (Montana Audubon), Karli Johnson (Montana Farm Bureau Federation), and county commissioners and sheriffs provided proponents’ testimony emphasizing transparency and local safety concerns.

Quentin Kujala, FWP’s chief of conservation policy, described an implementation model in which the department maintains an annual plan of preidentified release sites and notifies local governments when releases will occur, especially when an animal will be held more than 24 hours or moved outside its capture county. Kujala said that FWP already posts release sites on its website after the fact; HB 648 would require proactive, pre‑release notice to local governments in some circumstances.

Committee members pressed FWP staff on site specificity, timing relative to hunting seasons, and how release notices would preserve fair‑chase hunting principles. Kujala said the department envisions finite, road‑referenced release sites in the annual plan and would provide more specific release location information to local government after a relocation occurs.

Next steps: Hearing closed; no committee vote recorded in the transcript. Members requested clarifications about data specificity and seasonal implications for hunting and depredation management.