Restricting Hunting, Fishing and Recreation Land

Today, the Republican majority in the House gave initial approval to SB303, a bill that would restrict the state’s ability to acquire new public land for hunting, fishing and recreation land.

Under this bill, before the state could purchase  new public lands, they would be required to receive approval of the Board of Land Commissioners. In addition, the purchase must not result in any net gain of land in the state’s possession. This means, that the state would be required to get rid of land before it could purchase new land.

This bill would open the door to wealth, out-of-state landowners to come in and purchase pristine Montana land and lock the public out.

In addition, landowners who allow the public to access their land often seek to sell this land very cheap to the state upon their death in order to ensure their land remains accessible to the public. The state would not be allowed to purchase this land, regardless of how cheap it is, without first disposing of other land they own.

The bill faced bipartisan opposition, however it still passed by a vote of 51-49. It will face a final vote in the House when the legislature reconvenes on Monday.

Apparently the majority of the Republican House believes the state already has enough hunting, fishing and camping space.

As usual, Rep. Wagner had a “unique” take on the issue.