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HB 134

Revise FWP crimestoppers program to allow financial rewards and reward permits

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Curt Cochran

Montana bill authorizing financial rewards and special permits to incentivize public reporting of wildlife crimes; died in legislative process without passage.

(H) Died in Process
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Bill Summary · HB 134

Legislative bill overview

HB 134 would modify Montana's Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) crimestoppers program to authorize financial rewards for information leading to arrests or convictions in wildlife crimes, and to issue special "reward permits" as additional incentives. The bill aims to incentivize public reporting of poaching and other wildlife violations.

Why is this important

Wildlife poaching enforcement depends significantly on public tips, and financial incentives could increase reporting rates for violations that undermine conservation efforts and fair hunting access. However, the bill's fate is sealed—it died in the legislative process and will not advance further in this session.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and funding source: The bill doesn't specify how rewards would be funded or what financial limits exist, raising questions about budgetary impact on FWP operations
  • Reward permit details: The concept of "reward permits" is vague—unclear whether these grant special hunting/fishing privileges, potentially creating fairness concerns
  • Incentive design risks: Financial rewards for tips could incentivize false reports, frivolous complaints, or tip manipulation rather than genuine wildlife crime prevention
  • Implementation challenges: Establishing criteria for reward eligibility and amounts without creating perverse incentives requires careful policy design

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

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