_____________ bill NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING LAWS RELATED TO RELOCATION OF GRIZZLY BEARS; revising rulemaking authority; AMENDING SECTION 87-5-301, MCA; and PROVIDING A DELAYED EFFECTIVE DATE."

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

Section 1. Section 87-5-301, MCA, is amended to read:

"87-5-301. Grizzly bear -- findings -- policy. (1) The legislature finds that:

(a) grizzly bears are a recovered population and thrive under responsive cooperative management;

(b) grizzly bear conservation is best served under state management and the local, state, tribal, and federal partnerships that fostered recovery; and

(c) successful conflict management is key to maintaining public support for conservation of the grizzly bear.

(2) It is the policy of the state to:

(a) manage the grizzly bear as a species in need of management to avoid conflicts with humans and livestock; and

(b) subject to the provisions of subsection (3), use proactive management to control grizzly bear distribution and prevent conflicts, including trapping and lethal measures.

(3) (a) Except as provided in subsection (3)(b), the department may not relocate a grizzly bear listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531, et seq., except to a release site previously approved by the commission for relocation of grizzly bears.

(b) The department may respond to a grizzly bear listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. 1531, et seq., that is causing conflict outside of a federal recovery zone. If the bear is to be relocated, the department may not relocate the bear."

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Effective date. [This act] is effective March 1, 2022.