_____________ bill NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT removing the 24-hour wait requirement to use a wolf license; AMENDING SECTIONS 87-2-523 AND 87-2-524, MCA; and PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE."

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

Section 1. Section 87-2-523, MCA, is amended to read:

"87-2-523. Class E-1--resident wolf license. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter and in subsection (2) of this section, a person who is a resident, as defined in 87-2-102, and 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 $12, may receive a Class E-1 license that entitles a holder who is 12 years of age or older to hunt a wolf and possess the carcass of the wolf as authorized by commission rules.

(2)        A resident holder of a Class AAA combination sports license, regardless of whether it includes a Class A-6 bear tag, may purchase the first Class E-1 license the person obtains in that license year for $10.

(3) A person who purchases a license pursuant to this section after August 31 may not use the license until 24 hours after the license is issued.

(4)(3)     Fees collected pursuant to this section must be deposited and used in accordance with 87-1-623."

Section 2. Section 87-2-524, MCA, is amended to read:

"87-2-524. Class E-2--nonresident wolf license. (1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter and in subsection (2) of this section, 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 $50, may receive a Class E-2 license that entitles a holder who is 12 years of age or older to hunt a wolf and possess the carcass of the wolf as authorized by commission rules.

(2)        A nonresident holder of a valid Class B-10 nonresident big game combination license or Class B-11 deer combination license may purchase the first Class E-2 license the person obtains in that license year for one-half the cost.

(3) A person who purchases a license pursuant to this section after August 31 may not use the license until 24 hours after the license is issued.

(4)(3)     Fees collected pursuant to this section must be deposited and used in accordance with 87-1-623."

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.