House Bill No. introduced by T. France and others aims to revise laws related to commercial fishing, guiding, and outfitting in Montana by establishing designated days when commercial activities are prohibited on certain stretches of rivers. The bill mandates the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to identify specific river sections where commercial fishing, guiding, and outfitting will not be allowed for two days each week from the third Saturday of May until Labor Day. The identified rivers include the Bitterroot, Clark Fork, Big Blackfoot, Madison, upper Yellowstone, North Fork of the Flathead, and Middle Fork of the Flathead. The department is required to develop recommendations for which days will be designated as commercial-free, ensuring that at least one of those days is a Saturday.

Additionally, the bill outlines a public process for identifying these stretches, including opportunities for public notice, comment, and hearings. The department must complete the identification process by October 1, 2027, and the commission will have six months to adopt, modify, or reject the recommendations. The bill also includes a provision for the department to adopt rules to implement these changes by May 15, 2026. This legislation is intended to enhance the recreational experience for non-commercial users of Montana's rivers while balancing the interests of commercial fishing and guiding services.