HELENA, Mont. (NMB) – Governor Greg Gianforte has signed two bills that change the way grizzly bears are managed in the state.
Senate Bill 98, sponsored by Republican Bruce Gillespie of Ethridge, loosens restrictions on citizens killing grizzly bears. It says that Montanans cannot be held liable for killing a grizzly bear if the wildlife is attacking, killing, or threatening to kill a person or livestock.
Senate Bill 337, sponsored by Republican Mike Lang of Malta, revises laws related to grizzly bear relocation. The bill says that federal authorities are now responsible for moving or euthanizing grizzly bears that are outside of a designated federal recovery zone.
Grizzly bears remain federally protected under the Endangered Species Act, but SB 98 asks for their removal, arguing that they have sufficiently recovered.
