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Committee hears bill to let landowners give preference hunting tags to people with disabilities
Summary
The Senate Fish and Game Committee heard Senate Bill 148, which would allow landowners to transfer existing landowner-preference hunting tags to people with disabilities at no cost; proponents said the change is paperwork only and would expand access for disabled hunters.
The Senate Fish and Game Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 148, which would allow a landowner who holds a landowner-preference hunting tag to give that tag to a person with a disability at no additional cost.
Supporters told the committee the change simply permits landowners to transfer an existing entitlement rather than creating an additional tag. The sponsor said the request came from a parent of a disabled person and that he could provide letters supporting the change.
"It allows that landowner to give that tag to a disabled person," the sponsor said in explanation of the measure. Proponents said the policy would increase access for people with disabilities who otherwise have difficulty participating in hunting programs.
Ben Lamb of the Montana Conservation Society called the bill "a great bill" and asked the committee for a due pass. Tom Jacobson of the Montana Wildlife Federation also supported the measure but flagged a drafting concern: he said the bill's definition of "disability" does not reference existing statutory definitions and should be aligned with other statutes.
Scott Birkenbuel, CEO of Ability Montana, described his organization s serving more than 500 people across 14 counties and said the bill would help people who have not had the opportunity to hunt. Hunter Matt Leo, testifying as an individual, said the change was an "easy yes" and urged passage.
Emily Cooper, licensing bureau chief with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, appeared as an informational witness and made herself available for technical questions about administration and implementation.
The sponsor closed by reiterating that the bill would not create new tags but would give landowners the option to transfer an existing landowner-preference tag to a disabled recipient. The committee closed the hearing without taking a recorded vote.
What happens next: The committee may schedule executive action or additional hearings; no formal action was recorded during this hearing.
