House Bill 74 revises the regulations surrounding private fish ponds and the commercial take of fish in Montana. Key changes include the requirement for all private fish pond owners to apply for licenses, which now necessitate site inspections. The bill also mandates detailed recordkeeping for fish sales and health inspections, while increasing application and renewal fees to $600 and $250, respectively. Notably, the bill repeals the previous allowance for paddlefish caviar sales, reflecting a significant shift in the state's approach to fish pond management.

In addition to these changes, the bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated to enhance regulatory oversight. It grants the relevant department the authority to adopt necessary rules regarding health standards and inspection protocols for private fish ponds. The legislation also clarifies the conditions under which licenses may be revoked and outlines the renewal process, emphasizing compliance with all applicable statutes. Stricter penalties for violations related to the unlawful possession and sale of game fish and other wildlife are also established, including fines, imprisonment, and potential forfeiture of hunting and fishing licenses. The bill is set to take effect immediately 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(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