HOUSE BILL NO. 550

INTRODUCED BY B. REHBEIN

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT ELIMINATING THE UPLAND GAME BIRD ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM; REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PARKS TO USE MONEY FROM UPLAND GAME BIRD LICENSES FOR UPLAND GAME BIRD HABITAT ENHANCEMENT THROUGH RANGELAND IMPROVEMENTS; ALLOWING A GAME BIRD FARM LICENSEE TO RELEASE PHEASANTS ON THE LICENSEE'S OWN PROPERTY; AMENDING SECTIONS 87-1-246 AND 87-4-914, MCA; REPEALING SECTIONS 87-1-247, 87-1-248, 87-1-249, AND 87-1-250, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Section 87-1-246, MCA, is amended to read:

"87-1-246. Funding of upland game bird enhancement . (1) Seventy-five percent of the amount of money specified in this section from the sale of each hunting license listed must be used exclusively by the department to preserve and enhance upland game bird populations in Montana through rangeland improvements, subject to appropriation by the legislature:

(a) Class A-1, resident upland game bird, $2;

(b) Class B-1, nonresident upland game bird, $23;

(c) Class AAA, sportsman's, $2; and

(d) Class B-10, nonresident big game combination, $23.

(2) Twenty-five percent of the amount of money specified in subsection (1) may be used by the department at its discretion to enhance upland game bird habitat."

Section 2. Section 87-4-914, MCA, is amended to read:

"87-4-914. Release of birds. (1) Game bird farm licensees may release birds into the wild only with the prior approval of the director.

(2) Game bird farm licensees may release pheasants on their own property without the prior approval of the director."

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Repealer. Sections 87-1-247, 87-1-248, 87-1-249, and 87-1-250, MCA, are repealed.

NEW SECTION. Section 4. Effective date. [This act] is effective March 1, 2000.

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