MontanaHB 9869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revising laws related to possession and validation of licenses, permits, or tags

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 4 costs, 1 mixed.

Felony penalties for guides and taxidermists

When you work as a guide, outfitter, taxidermist, meat processor, or in similar business, certain license misuse is a felony. It includes carrying three or more other people’s hunting licenses used or intended for game not taken by the licensees, or knowingly carrying or selling two or more illegal licenses or permits. A felony can bring a fine up to $50,000 and up to 5 years in state prison. The court can take your licenses and bar your hunting privileges for at least 3 years and up to life.

Tougher penalties for license violations

The law sets fines of $50 to $1,000 and up to 6 months in county jail for license violations. On conviction or bond forfeiture, a court may take your current licenses and your right to hunt, fish, trap, or use state lands for a set time. For unlawfully getting, possessing, using, or transferring a replacement license, you lose all licenses and privileges for 24 months from conviction. Each repeat offense adds another 24 months. Courts can impose a longer ban.

Law takes effect immediately

The law takes effect on passage and approval. The changes apply immediately statewide.

Carry and show your license

You must carry your license or permit while you fish or hunt. If a warden or officer asks, you must show your license and the ID you used to buy it. Limited exceptions apply under the spouse‑or‑minor rule in this law.

No license sharing or duplicates

Do not alter, change, loan, or transfer a license. Only the person named on the license may use it. You may not validate a license for an animal taken by someone else. If you get a replacement license, you cannot let another person use it. You also cannot apply for, buy, or hold more than one license, permit, or tag of the same class or more than one special license for the same species. Exceptions exist for Class B‑4, Class B‑5, Class E‑2, game‑management licenses, or when the commission allows more; this does not change the spouse‑or‑minor carrying rule.

You may carry spouse’s or minor’s license

It is a crime to knowingly carry someone else’s valid, unused license in areas where that species may live. It is also a crime to carry a resident license issued to a nonresident or any license issued illegally. You may carry your spouse’s or any minor’s valid, unused license or permit, including electronic, when they are hunting with you.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Gary Parry
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Greg Hertz
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 295 • No: 2

House vote • 3/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 3/15/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 1/16/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 98 • No: 1

House vote • 1/15/2025