Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana HB648: Require FWP notification before the release of large predators
Status: Signed into law, May 5, 2025
What the bill says
An act requiring the department of fish, wildlife, and parks to notify county commissioners, sheriff's offices, and tribal governments before the release of a large predator; and amending section 87-1-217, mca.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PARKS TO NOTIFY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, SHERIFF'S OFFICES, AND TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS BEFORE THE RELEASE OF A LARGE PREDATOR; AND AMENDING SECTION 87-1-217, MCA. Section 1. Section 87-1-217, MCA, is amended to read: "87-1-217. Policy for management of large predators -- legislative intent. (1) In managing large predators, the primary goals of the department, in the order of listed priority, are (b) preserve and enhance the safety of the public during outdoor recreational and livelihood activities; and (c) preserve citizens' opportunities to hunt large game species. (2) With regard to large predators, it is the intent of the legislature that the specific provisions of this section concerning the management of large predators will control the general supervisory authority of the department regarding the management of all wildlife. (3) For the management of wolves in accordance with the priorities established in subsection (1), the department may use lethal action to take problem wolves that attack livestock if the state objective for breeding pairs has been met. For the purposes of this subsection, "problem wolves" means any individual wolf or pack of wolves with a history of livestock predation. (4) The department shall work with the livestock loss board and the United States department of agriculture wildlife services to establish the conditions under which carcasses …
Sponsors
- Ler, Brandon (R, 33) · primary sponsor
- Hertz, Greg (R, 7)
Latest actions
- : Chapter Number Assigned
- : (H) Signed by Governor
- : (H) Transmitted to Governor
- : (S) Signed by President
- : (H) Signed by Speaker
- : (H) Returned from Enrolling
- : (H) Sent to Enrolling
- : (S) 3rd Reading
- : (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (S) 2nd Reading
Votes
- Do Concur (April 15, 2025): 46 yea, 4 nay, passed
- Do Concur (April 14, 2025): 48 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 7, 2025): 97 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 5, 2025): 97 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: Law Enforcement, Fish, Counties, Indians
Common questions
- What is HB648?
- HB648 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Require FWP notification before the release of large predators.
- What does HB648 do?
- In its own words: An act requiring the department of fish, wildlife, and parks to notify county commissioners, sheriff's offices, and tribal governments before the release of a large predator; and amending section 87-1-217, mca.
- What is the status of HB648?
- Signed into law as of May 5, 2025. Latest action: Chapter Number Assigned (May 5, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB648?
- Ler, Brandon (R, 33), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB648?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1704
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.