Senate bill NO. 388

INTRODUCED BY P. Flowers, E. Buttrey, J. Read, J. Welborn, J. Cohenour, G. Hertz, M. Lang, A. Olsen, W. Curdy, J. Ellis, J. Hinkle, M. Noland, Z. Perry, S. Webber, R. Fitzgerald, B. Usher, J. Hamilton, E. Boldman, S. Morigeau, J. Gross, J. Dooling, B. Gillespie, M. Marler, M. Fox, B. Phalen, J. Schillinger, T. France, S. O'Brien, T. Vermeire, J. Karlen

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING NONRESIDENT UPLAND GAME BIRD LICENSES; LIMITING HUNTING PERIODS TO 14 DAYS; ALLOWING UP TO two licenses for 14-day permits and FOUR LICENSES FOR 3-DAY PERMITS; AMENDING SECTIONS 87-2-402 AND 87-2-405, MCA; and providing a delayed effective date."

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

Section 1. Section 87-2-402, MCA, is amended to read:

"87-2-402. Class B-1--nonresident upland game bird license. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person who is not a resident, as defined in 87-2-102, but who is 12 years of age or older or who will turn 12 years old before or during the season for which the license is issued, upon payment of a fee of $110 may receive a Class B-1 license that entitles a the holder who is 12 years of age or older to hunt upland game birds and possess the carcasses of upland game birds as authorized by department rules.

(2)        Licenses A license issued under this section are is valid for any period of 14 consecutive days or any two periods of seven 7 consecutive days provided that the person designates at least the first seven-day 7-day period at the time of fee payment.

(3)        A person issued a license under this section may not purchase a 3-day license pursuant to 87-2-405."

(4)        A person eligible for a B-1 license under this section may purchase up to two licenses in a single season.

Section 2. Section 87-2-405, MCA, is amended to read:

"87-2-405. Class B-2--3-day nonresident upland game bird license. (1) Except as otherwise provided and subject to subsection (2), a person who is not a resident, as defined in 87-2-102, but who is 12 years of age or older or who will turn 12 years old before or during the season for which the license is issued may, upon payment of a fee of $50, receive a Class B-2 license that entitles a the holder who is 12 years of age or older to hunt upland game birds for 3 calendar days as indicated on the license and possess the carcasses of upland game birds as authorized by the commission.

(2) A Class B-2 license may not be used to hunt or take:

(a) ring-necked pheasants during the opening week of that season; or

(b) sage grouse at any time.

(3) A person eligible for a B-2 license under this section may purchase up to four licenses in a single season."

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Effective date. [This act] is effective March 1, 2024.