Senate Bill 537 seeks to revise the distribution of marijuana tax revenue in Montana by creating several new state special revenue accounts aimed at wildlife and habitat conservation. These accounts include the Habitat Legacy Account, the Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodation Account, the Land and Wildlife Stewardship State Special Revenue Account, and the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Project State Special Revenue Account. The bill also provides for appropriations to various departments, including the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, to support initiatives such as funding wildlife habitat improvement projects and enhancing fish and wildlife crossings. Notably, the bill removes the requirement for a fee for certain law enforcement grant applications and increases the amount transferred to the Healing and Ending Addiction Through Recovery and Treatment (HEART) account.

In addition to establishing new accounts, the bill amends existing laws related to wildlife habitat improvement projects, expanding the scope of eligible projects to include activities that improve, conserve, and maintain both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. It emphasizes the importance of addressing detrimental impacts on wildlife habitats, improving land conditions, and mitigating conflicts between wildlife and domestic livestock. The legislation also sets limits on administrative costs for these projects and introduces a scoring system for project proposals. The effective date for the bill is set for July 1, 2025, reflecting a strategic approach to enhance wildlife conservation efforts and support public health initiatives through the use of marijuana tax revenue.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_1(1): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_1(2): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_1(3): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_1(4): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_1(5): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_1(6): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_1(7): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_1: 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_2(1): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_2(2): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_2(3): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_2: 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(1): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(10): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(11): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(12): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(13): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(2): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(3): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(4): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(5): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(6): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(7): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(8): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X(9): 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808
SB0537_X: 16-12-111, 16-12-122, 87-5-802, 87-5-803, 87-5-804, 87-5-806, 87-5-808