Anti-Wild Horse Bill Fails in Montana Senate

In a recent development, a bill aimed at managing wild horses imported into Montana was narrowly defeated in theSenatecommittee. This decision has sparked ongoing discussions about the future ofwild horse managementin the state.

A bill that would have required the state to develop a management plan for wild horses imported into Montana was voted down in committee Tuesday.

SenateBill 402, sponsored by Sen. Kendall Van Dyk, D-Billings, was defeated 6-5 by theSenateAgriculture,Livestockand Irrigation Committee.

Besides a management plan, the Montana Department ofLivestockalso would have charged a fee of $100 on each imported horse or burro.

Van Dyk had worked with two Republicans in crafting the bill, Sen. Taylor Brown of Huntley and Sen. Eric Moore of Miles City.

The Bureau of Land Management completed the transfer of 700 wild horses last month to the Spanish Q Ranch outside of Ennis. The Spanish Q is the first long-term holding facility for wild horses in Montana, but it was delayed for a number of years in no small part because of resistance of neighboring ranch owners about the horses’ effect on irrigation,livestock, and wildlife.

The bill attempted to address some of those concerns, but it was up against a tight timeline. If the bill had passed theSenatecommittee, it would have had to pass through the fullSenateand make it to the House by Friday. As day 71 of the current legislative session, Friday is the deadline for a revenue bill to be presented in both theSenateand the House.

Some committee members expressed concern about the $100 import fee, even though the bill was stripped of a retroactive clause that would have covered the 700 horses already at the Spanish Q.

Originally Posted By The Montana Standard