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MontanaHB 9569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Revise law related to damage-based muskrat and beaver harvesting

Sponsored By: Paul Fielder (Republican)

Became Law

Fish and Wildlife

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Penalties for violating beaver and muskrat rules

Beginning Sept 1, 2025, a person convicted of violating these rules faces a fine of $100 to $1,000, up to 6 months in county jail, or both. On conviction or forfeiting bond or bail, you must forfeit any current state hunting, fishing, or trapping license and lose those privileges for 24 months unless the court orders longer. Any illegally possessed pelts are seized. The court may also order restitution.

New rules to remove damaging beaver and muskrat

Beginning Sept 1, 2025, certain property owners and workers can get a permit to hunt or trap beaver or muskrat that damage property. Eligible applicants include resident landowners, employees of an irrigation project or district, and owners or employees of entities that own rural or urban developed structures. You must show the animals cause severe injury or are a menace to irrigation works, a stock water pond, or other developed structures. From June 1 through Aug 31 each year, no permit is needed for this damage control; at other times, a permit is required. The director of Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks or a designee issues these permits.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Paul Fielder

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Greg Hertz

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 264 • No: 30

House vote • 3/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 45 • No: 4

House vote • 3/15/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 43 • No: 5

House vote • 1/14/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 83 • No: 15

House vote • 1/13/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 93 • No: 6

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    4/3/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    4/3/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    3/25/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    3/24/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    3/21/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    3/18/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    3/17/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Concurred

    3/17/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading Concurred

    3/15/2025Senate

  10. Committee Report--Bill Concurred

    2/12/2025Senate

  11. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred

    2/11/2025Senate

  12. Hearing

    1/30/2025Senate

  13. Referred to Committee

    1/16/2025Senate

  14. First Reading

    1/15/2025Senate

  15. Transmitted to Senate

    1/14/2025House

  16. 3rd Reading Passed

    1/14/2025House

  17. 2nd Reading Passed

    1/13/2025House

  18. Committee Report--Bill Passed

    1/10/2025House

  19. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed

    1/9/2025House

  20. Hearing

    1/6/2025House

  21. First Reading

    1/6/2025House

  22. Referred to Committee

    12/20/2024House

  23. Introduced

    12/16/2024House

Bill Text

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    3/18/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled

    3/18/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    12/16/2024

    PDF

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