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House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee advances resolution to study block management access programs
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Summary
The committee voted 17–3 to advance House Joint Resolution 73, which directs an interim study of block management and related hunting access programs; witnesses and legislators urged a consolidated, data-driven review to address rising costs and declining landowner participation.
A House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee moved HJR 73 forward after a hearing in which proponents, the Private Land Public Wildlife Council and Fish, Wildlife and Parks staff urged a coordinated review of block management and other hunting access programs.
The sponsor of the resolution said rising costs in access programs require an interim study to identify funding sources and growth metrics and to ensure hunters and landowners continue to have access to hunting lands. Proponents said they supported study language that would identify strategies to retain and expand landowner participation.
Ed Beall, introduced himself as chair of the Private Land Public Wildlife Council and said the council is statutorily charged to review access programs. "I am currently the chair of the Private Land Public Wildlife Council," Beall said, recommending a side-by-side review of block management (BLOC), PALA and EHA-style programs so the legislature can compare them directly.
Matt Leo of the Montana chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers said block management has been the flagship access program but that acreage and 100-day enrollments are down, creating increased pressure on remaining access. "We ask you to give House Joint Resolution 73 a due pass," Leo said, pointing to subsection 4 that directs strategies to retain and expand landowner participation.
Renee Lemon, Parks and Outdoor Recreation Division Administrator with Fish, Wildlife and Parks, testified as an informational witness and introduced Lena Havron, the department's chief financial officer. Lemon told the committee the department and PLPW are reviewing hunting access programs and that the department is treating the issue as a priority.
Committee members pressed for formal reporting so all legislators—not just Environmental Quality Council (EQC) members—receive consistent data on outcomes such as hunter-days, landowner satisfaction and whether program dollars yield more access. Ed Beall said PLPW meets in May and generally aims to have recommendations to the legislature by roughly August of the year preceding a session; he indicated PLPW could meet the timeline outlined in the resolution.
During executive action, Representative Fielder moved that "House Joint 73 do pass." After brief debate about whether EQC should perform the work or delegate it to PLPW and FWP staff, the committee took a roll-call vote. The clerk reported 17 ayes and 3 nays; the committee voted to advance the resolution to the House floor.
The resolution does not itself change program funding or policy; it would place the issue on an interim work plan for study and potential legislative recommendations. Committee members said passing the resolution will help ensure consolidated reporting and that lawmakers will have data to consider policy or funding changes before the next session.
House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee adjourned following brief procedural remarks and thanks to staff. The resolution will be considered on the House floor and would subsequently be ranked for interim study by EQC if placed on that committee's work plan.
