Lawmakers reject changes to wildlife habitat proposal

HELENA — Lawmakers in the Montana House resoundingly rejected changes to a bipartisan proposal to improve wildlife habitat and combat noxious weeds in the state, worrying that they could jeopardize millions of dollars in federal funding to the state.

House Bill 434, also know as the Wildlife Habitat Improvement Act, was introduced by Rep. Kelly Flynn, R-Townsend.

It would have established a $2 million account within the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to fund proposals to manage invasive weeds and restore wildlife habitat, with a focus on improving hunting access.

The bill previously passed the House by nearly unanimous votes, while winning support from conservation and sportsmen groups in the state. Wildlife organizations and some lawmakers turned against the bill last week, however, after a Senate panel added language they believed would violate requirements for the state to receive federal funding for wildlife management.

“The practical aspect of this is it’s a diversion of funds,” Flynn said Wednesday on the House floor, urging his colleagues to reject the change.

He cited requirements that money Montana receives through the Pittman-Robertson Act — which distributes funding from federal taxes on firearms and ammunition — be managed by Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Together with a similar federal program, those funds make up about a quarter of the state department’s annual budget.

“I think the public has spoken, that they want access,” said Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, the only lawmaker to speak in support of the Senate version. The amendments also placed more focus on promoting public land access. “This isn’t anything new. This is just focusing on opening up public access for land that we own.”

Several representatives from both sides of the aisle joined Flynn in urging their colleagues to reject the changes, however.

“From a natural resources perspective and a sportsman’s perspective, I think it was really one of the best bills that we’ve seen this session,” Rep. Zach Brown, D-Bozeman, said.

The House voted 97-3 against the Senate amendments. If the chamber again rejects them during a final vote Thursday, the measure will head to a conference committee.

Reporter Sam Wilson can be reached at 758-4407 or by email at swilson@dailyinterlake.com.