_____________ bill NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING LAWS RELATED TO RECIPROCITY FOR NONRESIDENTS SEEKING TO TRAP IN MONTANA; AMENDING SECTION 87-2-603, MCA; and PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE."

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

Section 1. Section 87-2-603, MCA, is amended to read:

"87-2-603. Class C-2--nonresident trapper's license -- reciprocity. (1) A person not a resident, as defined in 87-2-102, who is 12 years of age or older, upon on making application and payment of a fee of $250 to the department, is entitled to a nonresident trapper's license that authorizes the holder to trap and snare predatory animals, and nongame wildlife, and, subject to the provisions of subsection (2), certain fur-bearing species within the state. The trapping or snaring is permitted only after October 15 of each license year and in the manner provided by law and the rules of the commission and at the places that may be designated in the license.

(2)        A person not a resident whose state of residence does not sell nonresident trapper's licenses to Montanans may not be issued a Class C-2 license under subsection (1). A person seeking a license to trap fur-bearing species under this subsection (2) shall:

(a)        provide a notarized affidavit on a form approved by the department listing the person's legal residence, including the state; and

(b)        (i) provide documentation that the person's resident state issues nonresident trapping licenses that allow Montana residents to trap the same species for which the person seeks to trap in Montana; or

(ii)         attest on the affidavit that the person's resident state does not offer reciprocity for trapping the fur-bearing species the person seeks to trap in Montana because the species does not exist in the resident state."

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.