Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildlife Hunting Permits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee hears bill to tighten landowner-preference licenses
Summary
Sen. Ken Bogner told the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee that SB 235 would close a loophole in the landowner-preference license program and preserve its integrity; conservation groups urged support and Fish, Wildlife and Parks provided informational comment.
Sen. Ken Bogner, sponsor of Senate Bill 235, told the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee on Dec. 5 that the bill is a targeted "small fix" intended to close a vulnerability in Montana's landowner-preference license program and "maintain the integrity of the program." He asked the committee for its support.
Supporters of the bill told the committee the changes are necessary to ensure fairness in the allocation of hunting permits. Ben Lamb of the Montana Conservation Society said the legislation contains "much needed reforms" and offered a "me too" on behalf of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Tom Jacobson of the Montana Wildlife Federation said the bill would close loopholes that have allowed abuse, and testified that the measure would require landowners to own 640 contiguous acres to qualify for the landowner-preference permits — a change he said would strengthen permit allocation and uphold public hunting access and fair-chase principles. Ellie Bridal, representing the Montana Stockgrowers Association, said the proposed changes are reasonable and ensure landowners receive the preference intended by law.
Quentin Kujala, chief of conservation policy at Fish, Wildlife and Parks, appeared as an informational witness for the director and stood for questions. Committee members asked for clarification about the statutes and program mechanics, including how "full time" employment would be defined for any employee eligibility provisions; both the sponsor and Kujala said they would need to check the statutory language and follow up. Kujala also clarified that specific permit pools (for example, a 640-acre pool described in testimony) operate districtwide and that only certain landowner-preference licenses apply specifically to private property under particular permit pools.
No opponents testified in person or online. With no further questions, Bogner reiterated that SB 235 is intended to "help maintain high accountability and a high level of integrity" for a longstanding program and closed his remarks.
The committee did not record a formal vote during the hearing; the sponsor asked for the committee's support and proponents asked for a do-pass recommendation. The measure will return to committee consideration if members pursue amendments or move it to a vote.
