House committee hears bill to require aquatic invasive‑species training, vessel pass and stiffer penalties

HELENA — The House Fish and Wildlife and Parks Committee on Wednesday heard testimony on House Bill 829, sponsored by Representative Neil Durham, which would require an online aquatic invasive species awareness course for water‑users, establish a vessel prevention pass and increase civil penalties with proceeds deposited into the state’s invasive species account.

Durham (House District 1) told the committee the bill is intended to prevent invasive mussels and other aquatic invaders from establishing in Montana’s waterways. "This is kinda my ‘put up or shut up’ bill," he said in opening remarks, adding he expects Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) to produce an informative online video and a short test that would be tied to a user’s ALS number. Durham said the bill as drafted proposes fees in the order of $10 for non‑motorized vessels and $30 for motorized vessels and that civil penalties now at about $2,500 could be raised (he mentioned $25,000 in committee discussion). He said civil penalties would be deposited in the invasive species account (cited in committee as 80‑7‑1004).

FWP lic…