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Bill Summary · LC 2103

Legislative bill overview

Bill LC 2103 would establish a dedicated account within Montana's Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) department to fund wildlife highway crossing infrastructure and accommodation projects. This account would collect and allocate resources specifically for constructing wildlife passages, underpasses, overpasses, and related mitigation measures to reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions and improve animal movement across highways.

Why is this important

Vehicle-wildlife collisions cause approximately 1-2 million animal deaths annually in the U.S. and pose safety risks to drivers, resulting in injuries and fatalities. By creating dedicated funding mechanisms for wildlife crossings, Montana could reduce these collisions, protect wildlife populations, and decrease costly human injuries while supporting habitat connectivity across fragmented landscapes.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding source unclear – The bill's language is still in draft; it's unknown whether this account would be funded through general revenue, vehicle registration fees, hunting/fishing license increases, or other mechanisms, which could affect public and stakeholder support
  • Cost-benefit trade-offs – Wildlife crossing infrastructure is expensive; Montana must weigh these costs against other FWP priorities like habitat restoration, species management, and traditional conservation work
  • Geographic priorities – Determining which highways receive crossings first could create regional equity disputes, particularly between rural communities bearing installation costs and urban areas that may benefit from accident reductions

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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