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Montana committee backs bill to create wildlife-crossing fund and specialty license plate
Summary
Representative Katie Zolnikoff told the House Transportation Committee that House Bill 855 would create a state special revenue account to fund wildlife crossing projects, funded by a $20 specialty license-plate fee and a small initial appropriation; MDT and conservation groups urged passage noting high collision costs and project expenses.
Representative Katie Zolnikoff opened the hearing for House Bill 855, saying the bill "establishes a new big game and wildlife highway crossing and accommodation account" and authorizes Fish, Wildlife & Parks to create a specialty license plate whose proceeds would go into that account.
Why it matters: Supporters told the committee Montana records high rates of wildlife-vehicle collisions and that crossings and associated fencing can sharply reduce collisions. Director Chris Dorrington of the Montana Department of Transportation described the scale of the costs involved and said current MDT funding cannot meet accommodation needs.
What the bill would do: Zolnikoff said HB 855 creates the account at the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP), allows FWP to establish a specialty plate with a…
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