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MontanaHB 24269th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revise fines related to aquatic invasive species

Sponsored By: Tom Millett (Republican)

Signed by Governor

FishRevenue, State

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Stronger criminal penalties for invasive species

The law strengthens criminal penalties for breaking Montana’s aquatic invasive species rules. Negligent violations are misdemeanors with fines up to $700 for a first offense and $1,400 for later offenses. Knowing or purposeful violations are misdemeanors with fines up to $1,950; you must forfeit your current fishing license and any current vessel sticker or decal, and the court suspends your fishing privilege for a set time. Purposely or knowingly trying to introduce an invasive species is a felony with up to 2 years in prison, a fine up to $25,000, or both. The court may also order you to surrender the vessel involved and pay restitution for cleanup and control costs.

Warnings allowed and clear sign rules

Officers can issue a warning without a penalty when a warning best serves the public interest. No penalty applies for violating the check-station stop rule if clear, adequate signs are not posted a reasonable distance from the station.

Civil fines up to $2,500

For other violations of Montana’s invasive species rules that are not charged as a misdemeanor or felony, the state can impose a civil penalty up to $2,500 per violation. Civil penalty money collected under this section goes to the Montana general fund.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Tom Millett

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Mark Noland

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 292 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 46 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 47 • No: 2

House vote • 2/20/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 100 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/8/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/5/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/25/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    4/25/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/23/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/16/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/11/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading

    4/11/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading

    4/10/2025Senate

  10. Committee Report

    4/8/2025Senate

  11. Committee Executive Action

    4/8/2025Senate

  12. Hearing

    3/25/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Committee

    3/19/2025Senate

  14. Referred to Committee

    3/19/2025Senate

  15. Fiscal Note Printed

    3/18/2025House

  16. Fiscal Note Signed

    3/17/2025House

  17. Fiscal Note Received

    3/17/2025House

  18. Fiscal Note Requested

    3/4/2025House

  19. 1st Reading

    2/21/2025Senate

  20. Transmitted to Senate

    2/20/2025House

  21. 3rd Reading

    2/20/2025House

  22. 2nd Reading

    2/19/2025House

  23. Committee Report

    2/14/2025House

  24. Committee Executive Action

    2/13/2025House

  25. Committee Executive Action

    2/13/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    2/14/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/17/2025

    PDF

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