This bill revises the qualifications for landowner-preference elk licenses in Montana by establishing stricter ownership requirements for special permits. Specifically, it mandates that applicants must own 640 acres or more of contiguous land, eliminating the previous allowance for individuals who were merely under contract to purchase such land. Additionally, the bill introduces a definition for "employee," clarifying that it refers to individuals who are paid by the landowner and have state or federal taxes withheld from their earnings.

The amendments to Sections 87-2-516 and 87-2-705 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) reflect these changes, including the requirement for land used by elk to be documented by the department. The bill also allows landowners to designate an employee or immediate family member to apply for licenses or permits, ensuring that the benefits of landowner-preference licenses are more closely tied to actual ownership and active management of the land. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_1(1): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_1(2): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_1(3): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_1(4): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_1(5): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_1(6): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_1: 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_2(1): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_2(10): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_2(11): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_2(2): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_2(3): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_2(4): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_2(5): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_2(6): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_2(7): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_2(8): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_2(9): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_2: 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_3(1): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_3(2): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_3(3): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_3(4): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_3(5): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_3(6): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_3(7): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_3(8): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_3: 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_4(1): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_4(10): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_4(2): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_4(3): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_4(4): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_4(5): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_4(6): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_4(7): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_4(8): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_4(9): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_4: 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_X(1): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_X(2): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_X(3): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_X(4): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_X(5): 87-2-516, 87-2-705
SB0235_X: 87-2-516, 87-2-705