As part of the discussion around SB 305, it became clear that there are redundancies in the non-resident reduced price license programs, two of which were unlimited.
HB 773 seeks to undo some of that. It would:
1.) Eliminate the NR Relative Program entirely.
2.) Put a cap of 500 of each of the NR Youth Sponsored licenses (big game, elk, deer) and create a draw if there are more applications than licenses. It is currently not capped. There is an amendment coming for this to ensure that these over-subscribed applications are not put into the B10 and B11 draws, as well.
3.) Broaden the kinds of licenses available under Come Home to Hunt.
Between these three licenses, 3,429 licenses were sold over and about the 17K and 4600 caps on the B10 and B11 licenses. This bill would create a combined cap of 3,000 for both license types and keep them from growing. Over the last decade, these licenses have been increasing in use as people find out about them. While this bill simply caps them at 10-12% below current subscription rates, it does help ensure that these growing unlimited reduced price licenses finally have some sideboards.
The bill is up for a hearing on Tuesday, February 28th at 3 PM in House Fish, Wildlife and Parks. We could use some support by writing the committee in favor of this, or by signing up through zoom to testify in favor. If you're close to Helena, it's a good time to come up to the Capitol but be prepared for a really long committee hearing as there are 4 bills up, two of which are wolf related.
Committee information below:
HB 773 seeks to undo some of that. It would:
1.) Eliminate the NR Relative Program entirely.
2.) Put a cap of 500 of each of the NR Youth Sponsored licenses (big game, elk, deer) and create a draw if there are more applications than licenses. It is currently not capped. There is an amendment coming for this to ensure that these over-subscribed applications are not put into the B10 and B11 draws, as well.
3.) Broaden the kinds of licenses available under Come Home to Hunt.
Between these three licenses, 3,429 licenses were sold over and about the 17K and 4600 caps on the B10 and B11 licenses. This bill would create a combined cap of 3,000 for both license types and keep them from growing. Over the last decade, these licenses have been increasing in use as people find out about them. While this bill simply caps them at 10-12% below current subscription rates, it does help ensure that these growing unlimited reduced price licenses finally have some sideboards.
The bill is up for a hearing on Tuesday, February 28th at 3 PM in House Fish, Wildlife and Parks. We could use some support by writing the committee in favor of this, or by signing up through zoom to testify in favor. If you're close to Helena, it's a good time to come up to the Capitol but be prepared for a really long committee hearing as there are 4 bills up, two of which are wolf related.
Committee information below:
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