The bill amends Section 87-6-602 of the Montana Code Annotated to revise the laws regarding the trapping or hunting of beaver and muskrat that cause injury to various structures. It expands the definition of "injured structures" to include not only irrigation project structures and stock water ponds but also rural and urban developed structures. The bill allows the director or a designee to issue permits for trapping or hunting beaver and muskrat to resident landowners or employees of irrigation projects, as well as to owners or employees of entities with rural or urban structures, when these animals are causing severe injury or posing a menace.

Additionally, the bill specifies that a permit is required to hunt or trap beaver or muskrat, except during the period from June 1 to August 31, when no permit is necessary. Violations of this section can result in fines, imprisonment, and forfeiture of hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses for a period of 24 months. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 87-6-602
HB0095_1(1): 87-6-602
HB0095_1(2): 87-6-602
HB0095_1(3): 87-6-602
HB0095_1(4): 87-6-602
HB0095_1(5): 87-6-602
HB0095_1(6): 87-6-602
HB0095_1: 87-6-602
HB0095_2: 87-6-602
HB0095_X(1): 87-6-602
HB0095_X(10): 87-6-602
HB0095_X(11): 87-6-602
HB0095_X(12): 87-6-602
HB0095_X(2): 87-6-602
HB0095_X(3): 87-6-602
HB0095_X(4): 87-6-602
HB0095_X(5): 87-6-602
HB0095_X(6): 87-6-602
HB0095_X(7): 87-6-602
HB0095_X(8): 87-6-602
HB0095_X(9): 87-6-602
HB0095_X: 87-6-602