House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to revise laws related to navigable rivers and streams in Montana, focusing on digital mapping, hunting regulations, and the responsibilities of the state library. The bill mandates that all entities maintaining digital maps of the state must update their maps to align with the state library's digital map by August 1, 2025, and subsequently within 30 days of annual updates. Additionally, the bill requires that historical locations no longer occupied by navigable rivers be clearly marked as "Private land surface owned by adjacent landowner. Permission required."

The bill also introduces restrictions on shooting and hunting activities on navigable rivers and islands. It specifies that the public's right to recreational use of surface waters does not include the right to fire firearms from watercraft or banks for hunting big game, except for migratory game birds. Furthermore, it prohibits the use of surface waters for accessing islands owned by the state for hunting purposes, except under specific conditions. The state library is tasked with updating its global information system map to reflect current navigable river locations and historical changes, ensuring that the public is informed about land ownership and access rights. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 23-2-302, 90-1-404
HB0240_1(1): 23-2-302, 90-1-404
HB0240_1(2): 23-2-302, 90-1-404
HB0240_1(3): 23-2-302, 90-1-404
HB0240_1(4): 23-2-302, 90-1-404
HB0240_1(5): 23-2-302, 90-1-404
HB0240_1(6): 23-2-302, 90-1-404
HB0240_1: 23-2-302, 90-1-404