The bill amends existing Montana law to provide an exemption for small-scale activities related to fire hazard reduction, specifically including the harvesting of firewood. It introduces new definitions, such as "small-scale activity," which is defined as activities involving the sale of forest products that do not exceed two log truck loads or 10,000 board feet. Additionally, the bill clarifies that activities generating a "minimum slash hazard" may require a written exemption from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation if forest products are sold, while such activities are exempt from provisions if no forest products are sold.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the requirements for fire hazard reduction agreements and the associated bonding process. It removes the previous exemption for activities that create a minimum slash hazard and establishes that a written exemption must be issued for such activities when forest products are sold. The bill also stipulates that only one written exemption may be issued per parcel of land annually and must be provided to the purchaser at the time of delivery of the forest products. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline the process for small-scale forest product activities while ensuring fire hazard management is maintained.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 76-13-401
HB0079_1(1): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_1(2): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_1(3): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_1(4): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_1(5): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_1(6): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_1(7): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_1: 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_2(1): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_2(10): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_2(11): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_2(12): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_2(2): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_2(3): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_2(4): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_2(5): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_2(6): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_2(7): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_2(8): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_2(9): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_2: 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_3(1): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_3(2): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_3(3): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_3(4): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_3: 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_X(1): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_X(2): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_X(3): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_X(4): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_X(5): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_X(6): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_X(7): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_X(8): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_X(9): 76-13-401, 76-13-408
HB0079_X: 76-13-401, 76-13-408