This bill aims to enhance wildlife safety in Montana by providing funding for additional wildlife crossings, such as underpasses and overpasses, to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. It authorizes the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to create a specialty license plate, with a $20 donation required upon issuance and for annual renewals. The funds collected from these donations will be deposited into a newly established Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account, which will be used exclusively for the design, construction, and maintenance of wildlife crossings and related projects. The bill also includes a statutory appropriation to ensure that the funds are allocated without needing a biennial legislative appropriation.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 17-7-502 of the Montana Code Annotated to include the new account as a source of statutory appropriations. This amendment allows the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to fund eligible projects in consultation with the Department of Transportation. The bill emphasizes the importance of wildlife crossings for both public safety and the conservation of wildlife populations, reflecting strong public support for such initiatives in Montana. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 17-7-502
HB0855_1(1): 17-7-502
HB0855_1(2): 17-7-502
HB0855_1(3): 17-7-502
HB0855_1(4): 17-7-502
HB0855_1(5): 17-7-502
HB0855_1(6): 17-7-502
HB0855_1: 17-7-502
HB0855_X(1): 17-7-502
HB0855_X(10): 17-7-502
HB0855_X(11): 17-7-502
HB0855_X(2): 17-7-502
HB0855_X(3): 17-7-502
HB0855_X(4): 17-7-502
HB0855_X(5): 17-7-502
HB0855_X(6): 17-7-502
HB0855_X(7): 17-7-502
HB0855_X(8): 17-7-502
HB0855_X(9): 17-7-502
HB0855_X: 17-7-502