After being debated and negotiated throughout the legislative session that wrapped up Tuesday, a number of changes to Montana’s hunting and fishing licenses will become effective March 1, 2016.

House Bill 160 is awaiting Gov. Steve Bullock’s signature. His administration pushed for the measure during the session. 

The bill evolved as a compromise between budget requests from Fish, Wildlife and Parks and members of the House and Senate who objected to placing more financial burdens on hunters and anglers and increasing the budget for an agency that has come under scrutiny from legislators.

The changes to the license fee structure were initiated by an advisory committee created by Bullock last year. The panel sought to bridge an expected budget shortfall of $5.7 million for the fish and wildlife agency. 

While the initial proposal sought larger fee increases to establish a $500,000 contingency fund, that was removed by the Legislature’s Environmental Quality Council.

When the bill was introduced during the 2015 session, it was projected to keep the agency revenue-neutral through its next budget cycle. 

However, Fish, Wildlife and Parks spokesman Ron Aasheim said Wednesday that amendments to the bill earmark money from the general license fund, leaving the agency an estimated $1 million in the hole. 

Aasheim said more than 20 full-time positions or the equivalent could be lost as a result, and the agency is still working out the details. Some of those could include existing vacancies. Two years ago the agency cut $1.2 million from its budget.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks also is working to figure out how to implement portions of an “apprentice hunting” bill that were inserted into the license bill as an amendment. 

Sponsored by Sen. Mark Blasdel, R-Kalispell, Senate Bill 395 would have lowered the minimum hunting age to 10 years of age and exempted hunters under age 18 from taking the state’s Hunter Education class during their first two years if they are accompanied in the field by a qualified mentor. 

The bill failed to pass the House at the end of the session, but was then inserted into the license bill.

Aasheim said the agency still needs to develop rules and procedures for implementing it, a process he expects to take at least two months.

“It’s effective on passage, but obviously that’s probably not going to allow these youngsters to hunt turkeys or bears this spring,” he said.

In addition to increasing revenue and attempting to close the budget gap for the agency, the bill also changes the Fish, Wildlife and Parks budget cycle, which historically has come up every 10 years. The Legislature will now take up the agency’s budget every four years.

The new law also would eliminate or reduce a number of existing exemptions and discounts on licenses for people who meet certain requirements.

Changes in fishing license prices will include:

• An increase from $18 to $21 for one-year resident licenses.

• An increase from $60 to $86 for one-year nonresident licenses.

• An increase from $15 to $25 for two-day nonresident licenses.

• An increase from $43.50 to $56 for two-day nonresident licenses.

• Half-price instead of free licenses for residents over 62 years of age or with a disability.

• Half-price licenses for minors between 12 and 18 years old.

• No free licenses for residents who are Legion of Valor members or have received Purple Hearts.

Changes in hunting license and tag prices will include:

• An annual $10 base hunting license for resident hunters.

• An annual $15 base hunting license for nonresident hunters.

• An existing hunting access fee, currently $2 for residents and $10 for nonresidents, will be included in the base hunting license.

• An increase from $750 to $1,250 for nonresident moose, mountain goat, mountain sheep and bison tags.

• An increase to half-price upland game bird and limited combination sports licenses, and deer and elk tags for residents over 62 years of age or with disabilities.

• No free game bird hunting licenses for resident Purple Heart recipients.

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