House Bill No. introduced by D. Powers and others aims to revise laws concerning the unlawful harassment of wild animals in Montana. The bill amends Section 87-6-107 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to replace the term "game animals and game birds" with "wild animals," while explicitly excluding alternative livestock from this definition. Additionally, the bill expands the scope of prohibited actions to include harassment using vehicles or devices such as aircraft and snowmobiles. It also clarifies that landowners and their authorized agents are exempt from these prohibitions when protecting their property.

The bill outlines penalties for violations, with fines ranging from $50 to $1,000 and potential imprisonment for up to six months. A first-time offender may also face forfeiture of hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses, along with restrictions on recreational use of state lands. For repeat offenders within five years, the fines increase, and the forfeiture period for licenses extends to 24 months, unless a longer period is imposed by the court. This legislation aims to enhance the protection of wild animals from harassment while balancing the rights of landowners.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 87-6-107
HB0661_1(1): 87-6-107
HB0661_1(2): 87-6-107
HB0661_1: 87-6-107