HOUSE BILL NO. 550

INTRODUCED BY B. REHBEIN, J. WITT

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; AMENDING SECTION 87-1-246 , MCA; REPEALING SECTIONS 87-1-247, 87-1-248, 87-1-249, AND 87-1-250, MCA; AND PROVIDING A DELAYED 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 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, including transplantation of wild pheasants into areas where current populations are not sufficient to ensure that suitable habitat will be reoccupied, 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.

(3) Five percent of the amount of money specified in subsection (1) may be used by the department for expenses in administering the enhancement of upland game bird habitat."

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Repealer. Sections 87-1-247, 87-1-248, 87-1-249, and 87-1-250, MCA, are repealed.

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Effective date. [This act] is effective March 1, 2000.

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