Bill description: HB 330 increases numerous fees nonresidents must pay for hunting licenses, permits, and tags.

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Does it directly or indirectly create or increase any taxes, fees, or other assessments? Conversely, does it eliminate or reduce any taxes, fees, or other assessments?

HB 330 increases 71 different nonresident hunting license, permit, and tag fees. The increases range from 50 cents (e.g., bobcat tags and otter tags increase from $3.00 to $3.50) up to $525.00 (e.g., moose tags, bighorn sheep tags and grizzly bear tags increase from $2,100.00 to $2,625.00).

On a percentage basis, some of the increases, especially for “junior mentored” tags, are extreme. The junior mentored deer tag is increasing by 695%, going from $22.00 to $175.00; the junior mentored elk tag is increasing by 684%, increasing from $38.00 to $298.00; and the junior mentored black bear tag is increasing by 423 percent, going from $22.00 to $115.00.

There are other substantial increases as well. Archery permits and muzzleloader permits are increasing by 338%, from $18.25 to $80.00. The 3-day small game hunting license is increasing by 107%, from $33.75 to $70.00.

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