Committee advances bill to study state shooting facilities after debate over costs and access

Representative Keri Seekins Crowe presented HB899 to create a Montana State Shooting Facilities and Improvements Task Force and an account administered by Fish, Wildlife & Parks to explore options for facility development, improvements and funding mechanisms. The sponsor said the proposal is meant to open a careful conversation about how Pittman-Robertson and other funds can support both local ranges and larger facilities.

Nifai Cole of the National Shooting Sports Foundation testified in favor, saying Pittman-Robertson funds have supported range development in many states and emphasizing that Montana could leverage federal funds if it develops a clear mechanism. Opponents — including Gary Marbut (Montana Shooting Sports Association), Tiffany Susan and Peter Reiss — warned that a single centralized complex could be inaccessible for many Montanans, might undercut existing local ranges, and could divert limited grant dollars from community projects. Annie Baum (Western Montana Fish and Game Association) noted a recent 19,000-square-foot range project that cost approximately $2.5 million and urged directing resources to existing ranges.

FWP representatives (Renee Lemon and Lena Havron) outlined current Pittman-Robertson apportionments and indicated roughly $1.5M is currently earmarked for hunter education and range development with a proposed request to increase community range grant funding. The sponsor introduced amendments to clarify administration by Fish, Wildlife & Parks and broaden the task force’s remit from a single complex to multiple facilities and improvements. Committee members debated the merits of broad study versus immediate expenditures and asked the task force to include feasibility research.

Outcome: The committee adopted amendments to broaden and clarify the task force’s charge, then advanced HB899 as amended to the House floor.