Hinebauch sponsors block management bill

Senator Steve Hinebauch, R-Wibaux, is sponsoring a bill to help maintain and increase hunters’ access to private land through Montana’s Block Management Program.

Senate Bill 58 would double the limit on the money that landowners can receive for participating in the Block Management Program from the current $25,000 per year to $50,000 per year. The increase would help compensate landowners for voluntarily allowing public hunters onto their properties.

“Block Management is one of the best and most popular conservation tools we have in Montana and it’s funded by hunters, not taxpayers,” Hinebauch said. “It keeps land in private ownership by Montana families for productive uses while also allowing hunters more opportunity to harvest wild game and help responsibly manage our wildlife. Increasing the cap on Block Management is a win for Montana farmers and ranchers, for the hunting public, and for conservation.”

SB 58 comes at the request of the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. The bill had its first hearing Tuesday afternoon in the Senate Fish and Game Committee.

Sen. Hinebauch is a member of the Senate Republican leadership, serving as a Majority Whip.