Committee hears broad support for raising Upland Game Bird Enhancement funding via license earmark

The committee heard proponent testimony on House Bill 372, which proposes modest increases to license earmarks that fund the Upland Game Bird Enhancement Program (UGBEP). Representative Gary Perry, presenting as a cosponsor, said the bill raises the resident earmark from $2 to $4.50 and increases the nonresident earmark to support habitat projects and voluntary landowner participation.

Perry described the program's record: in 2024 the program supported 538 active projects, enhanced thousands of acres of habitat and supplied roughly 743,000 acres of public access for bird hunters. "These projects are enhancing upland bird and wildlife habitat and provided 743,000 acres of public access for bird hunters," Perry said. He and proponents noted the program helps landowners and stimulates local economies.

A range of conservation and hunting organizations testified in support, including Montana Audubon, the Montana Wildlife Federation, the UGBEP advisory council, the Montana Outfitters and Guides Association, and local upland bird groups. Proponents emphasized that additional funding will help address a backlog of landowner interest and sustain the program's delivery of habitat improvements and access.

Committee members asked about fiscal details and the relationship to other license changes; staff and proponents described the fiscal note estimating approximately $555,000 in added revenue for the program while noting the program's current budget is about $700,000. The hearing closed with general support from stakeholder groups and a request to move the bill forward.