Conservation groups, ranchers and anglers back Section C package and proposed amendments

Several public stakeholders addressed the Section C subcommittee during the hearing's public comment period and expressed support for the subcommittee's recommended HB2 packages and for specific amendments.

Ben Lamb of the Montana Conservation Society thanked the committee for investments in block management and public access and urged restoration of FWP education/communications DPs and support for a hunter education amendment. He also emphasized that House Bill 2 funds for block management and Public Access to Land Agreements have opened roughly 1,000,000 acres of previously land‑locked public land.

Jeff Lukas of Trout Unlimited and Trout Montana supported the subcommittee recommendations and asked the committee to restore DNRC DP packages related to streamflow and related projects.

Representatives of the Montana Stock Growers Association and allied groups thanked Section C for its work and urged the committee to consider additional DP packages in FWP communications and DNRC trust lands where appropriate. They also said they were comfortable with the department's approach to incremental hiring in the meat inspection program.

Tom Jacobson of the Montana Wildlife Federation voiced full support for the Section C recommendations and asked the committee to consider related amendments.

Committee staff reminded members that amendments were being drafted and encouraged members to coordinate with staff to finalize and post any amendments so they can be available on the HB2 page during the weekend and next week.

No formal public‑comment motions were taken; commenters asked for a due‑pass on the section and support for restoration amendments to specific DPs.