The bill revises the regulations surrounding private fish ponds and the commercial take of fish in Montana, introducing several key changes. It mandates site inspections for private fish pond licenses and establishes new recordkeeping requirements for licensees. Notably, the bill repeals the sales of paddlefish caviar and increases application and renewal fees for fish pond licenses to $600 and $250, respectively. Licensees who sell fish, eggs, or fry are now required to provide a corporate surety bond of $2,500 and maintain accurate transaction records, including fish health inspections. Additionally, the term of a fish pond license is reduced from ten years to five years, with annual renewals permitted for those selling fish or eggs.

The bill also amends sections of the Montana Code Annotated related to the unlawful possession, sale, and transportation of game fish and wildlife, establishing penalties based on the value of the animals involved, with fines ranging from $50 to $50,000 and potential imprisonment of up to five years. It clarifies definitions related to lawful and unlawful capture and possession of wildlife and repeals the existing section on the sale of fish or spawn to streamline regulations. The new legal language aims to enhance wildlife protection and regulation enforcement in Montana, with the bill set to take effect upon passage and approval.

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(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