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House backs bill to fund wildlife crossings with specialty license plate
Summary
The House moved House Bill 855 forward after sponsors argued Montana needs targeted funding for wildlife crossings to reduce thousands of annual wildlife-vehicle collisions and associated costs.
Representative Zolokoff presented House Bill 855 on April 1 to establish a state special-revenue account for big-game and wildlife highway crossings funded by a specialty license plate and a one-time fee. On the floor, Zolokoff cited statistics the State Highway Patrol responds to over 3,200 wildlife-vehicle collisions annually and referenced an estimate that collisions cost the state over $200 million per year.
Under the bill the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks and the Department of Transportation would coordinate grants to qualifying projects to fund crossings and related accommodations. Sponsor Zolokoff framed the measure as a cost-effective, targeted funding approach with local match opportunities and a low ongoing state cost because a specialty plate would drive revenue.
The committee recommended HB855 do pass on second reading; the clerk recorded a floor tally of 97–3 in favor.
Why it matters: Wildlife-vehicle collisions have both public-safety and economic costs in Montana; targeted infrastructure can reduce collisions and save lives and property. The bill creates a funding mechanism without an immediate large general-fund outlay.
What comes next: HB855 will proceed through the legislative process; the specialty-plate mechanism will require administrative setup by licensing and resource departments if enacted.
