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MontanaHB 76769th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Revise county predator control laws to include goats

Sponsored By: Julie Darling (Republican)

Became Law

LivestockLocal GovernmentState Government

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Per-goat fees and property lien rules

Counties can charge a per-goat license fee for goats 1 year 9 months or older. The rule applies to goats in the county on the regular assessment date and goats that enter after that date. The Department of Revenue can add your name to the county assessment roll, and the county treasurer collects the fee. Unpaid fees become a lien on your real and personal property. If you own no real estate, the fee is due at once as a personal property tax.

Goat owners can start, end, or change fees

If owners of at least 51% of the goats in a county petition by the first Monday in December, the board must start a predator-control program for the next year and set license fees to cover costs. Petition signatures cannot be withdrawn after the hearing time. The fee continues year to year. If 51% petition to end the program, the board must stop the program and the fee. If 51% petition to raise or lower the fee, the board must set a new fee that continues.

Counties can run goat predator control

The county board can set up a predator-control program to protect goats, on recommendation from a county goat producers association. The board may act alone or with other counties. When running the program, the board must give preference to the goat producers association’s recommendations.

Dedicated fund for goat predator control

Goat license fees go into a separate predatory animal control fund. The county board can spend the fund on predator control, including bounties. Interest stays in the fund, and other money may be added. Furs, skins, and other parts from predators taken with fund money must be sold, and the proceeds go back into the fund.

Sheep and cattle fees fund predator control

Per-capita fees on sheep and on cattle must go into separate predatory animal control funds. The board can use those funds for predator control, including bounties. Interest and any added money remain in the funds.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Julie Darling

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 479 • No: 11

House vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 98 • No: 0

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 98 • No: 1

House vote • 4/7/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 44 • No: 5

House vote • 4/5/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 42 • No: 4

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 98 • No: 1

House vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/13/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/8/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/1/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/1/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/29/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/21/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/18/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate

    4/18/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred

    4/17/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/7/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/7/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/5/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/2/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/1/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    3/27/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Committee

    3/19/2025Senate

  17. First Reading

    3/14/2025Senate

  18. Transmitted to Senate

    3/7/2025House

  19. 3rd Reading Passed

    3/7/2025House

  20. 2nd Reading Passed

    3/6/2025House

  21. Committee Report--Bill Passed

    3/4/2025House

  22. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed

    3/4/2025House

  23. Fiscal Note Printed

    3/4/2025House

  24. Fiscal Note Signed

    3/3/2025House

  25. Fiscal Note Received

    3/3/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/21/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    4/2/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/25/2025

    PDF

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