The bill amends Section 87-2-817 of the Montana Code Annotated to revise the licensing provisions for veterans and deployed armed service members. It allows veterans or disabled members of the armed forces who have sustained combat-connected injuries to apply for specific hunting licenses at half the regular fee. Additionally, it provides that Montana residents who are members of the National Guard or federal reserve and have served at least two months outside the state in a contingency operation are entitled to receive a free resident conservation license and a Class A resident fishing license or a Class AAA resident combination sports license, contingent upon certain conditions and documentation.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a provision that guarantees members of the armed forces who have forfeited a license or permit due to deployment for at least two months outside the state the opportunity to obtain the same license or permit without an additional fee upon their return. This amendment replaces the previous requirement that specified deployment outside of the continental United States. The bill also mandates that the department's general license account be reimbursed for costs associated with the free licenses through quarterly transfers from the general fund.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 87-2-817
HB0244_1(1): 87-2-817
HB0244_1(10): 87-2-817
HB0244_1(11): 87-2-817
HB0244_1(12): 87-2-817
HB0244_1(2): 87-2-817
HB0244_1(3): 87-2-817
HB0244_1(4): 87-2-817
HB0244_1(5): 87-2-817
HB0244_1(6): 87-2-817
HB0244_1(7): 87-2-817
HB0244_1(8): 87-2-817
HB0244_1(9): 87-2-817
HB0244_1: 87-2-817
HB0244_X: 87-2-817