House Bill 74 revises the regulations surrounding private fish ponds and the commercial take of fish in Montana. Key provisions include the introduction of mandatory site inspections for private fish pond licenses, which must now be applied for by the owners or controllers of the ponds. Licensees are required to maintain detailed records of fish sales, including species, quantities, and health inspections, and must obtain a corporate surety bond of $2,500 for selling fish, eggs, or fry. The bill also repeals the sale of paddlefish caviar and increases the application and renewal fees for fish pond licenses to $600 and $250, respectively. Additionally, licenses will now have a 10-year validity period with annual renewals required for those selling fish or eggs, and the department is granted authority to deny renewals based on new information regarding risks to game fish.

Furthermore, the bill establishes penalties for violations related to the unlawful sale of game fish, birds, game animals, or fur-bearing animals, with potential fines, imprisonment, and forfeiture of hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses based on the value of the unlawfully sold items. It also clarifies definitions related to the lawful and unlawful capture and possession of wildlife, enhancing the enforcement of wildlife protection laws. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval, reflecting a comprehensive effort to improve the management and oversight of private fish ponds while safeguarding public fish and wildlife resources.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_1(1): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_1(2): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_1(3): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_1(4): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_1(5): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_1(6): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_1(7): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_1(8): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_1: 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_2(1): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_2(10): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_2(11): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_2(2): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_2(3): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_2(4): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_2(5): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_2(6): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_2(7): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_2(8): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_2(9): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_2: 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_3: 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(1): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(10): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(11): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(12): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(13): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(14): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(15): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(16): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(17): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(18): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(19): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(2): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(3): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(4): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(5): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(6): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(7): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(8): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X(9): 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707
HB0074_X: 87-4-603, 87-4-606, 87-4-607, 87-6-202, 87-6-206, 87-6-707