MontanaSB 14869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate

Allow landowners to designate licenses to persons with disabilities

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 6 mixed.

Clear rules for disability designees

Beginning March 1, 2026, the law sets who counts as a disability designee. Developmental disability uses the state definition in 53‑20‑102. Physical disability means a permanent and substantial medical condition that seriously limits function. These definitions decide who may be named for landowner‑designated licenses.

Farm owners get deer and antelope preference

Beginning March 1, 2026, farm and ranch owners get preference for limited deer and antelope licenses. You must own at least 160 contiguous acres used mainly for agriculture in the hunting district. Fifteen percent of limited licenses or permits are reserved for landowners. You may designate an immediate family member, your land manager, or a person with a developmental or physical disability. Only one preference applies to jointly owned land, and no preference is given if the hunting area lies entirely on public land.

Free elk license for public access

Beginning March 1, 2026, if you open your land for free public elk hunting by contract, the department can issue a free elk license. It may be either‑sex or antlerless and must be used on the eligible land. You or your designee may use it. You generally must own 640 or more acres of occupied elk habitat (the department may accept less). You cannot charge any access fees, and your designee must meet Montana licensing rules.

Landowner share of elk permits

Beginning March 1, 2026, up to 15% of antlerless elk B tags and special elk permits in each district are set aside for qualifying landowners. To qualify, you typically own 640 or more contiguous acres used by elk, or 160 or more contiguous production acres with documented elk damage in the last two years (for antlerless tags). For special permits, owning or contracting to buy 640+ contiguous acres used by elk qualifies. You may designate an immediate family member, an employee, or a person with a developmental or physical disability to receive the license or permit. When more people apply than the reserved share, the department runs a drawing for these landowner spots.

Landowners can give free hunting licenses

Beginning March 1, 2026, landowners in the block management program can give certain free licenses to a designee. You may name an immediate family member, a full‑time employee, or a person with a developmental or physical disability. The designee gets a conservation license and required prerequisites at no cost. Resident designees may receive a free Class AAA sports license; nonresident designees may receive a free Class B‑10 big‑game combination license. The license is nontransferable, and the designee must meet Montana licensing rules.

Nonresident landowner big‑game license pool

Beginning March 1, 2026, 15% of nonresident big‑game combination licenses are in a landowner pool. To qualify, you must own at least 2,500 contiguous acres in fee title; each extra 2,500 acres can add one more license, up to five per landowner. You may designate an immediate family member, an employee, or a person with a developmental or physical disability to receive the license. Each person may hold only one of these licenses, and the full nonresident license fee applies. If demand is low, each landowner gets one before any landowner gets a second, unused licenses return to the general pool, and the commission may cap the total below 15%.

All changes start March 1, 2026

The law takes effect March 1, 2026. Agencies, landowners, and hunters follow the new designation, preference, and access rules starting that date. Plan applications and drawings under the new rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Denley Loge
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Gary Parry
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 296 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 98 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/31/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/30/2025