Protect Wild Bison
| Type | Bill |
|---|---|
| Session | 2025 Regular Session |
| Subjects |
Concerning the classification of bison as wildlife unless classified as livestock, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation.
Bill Summary:
The act classifies bison as big game unless the bison are livestock. Classifying bison as wildlife means that hunting or taking one is illegal unless authorized by rule of the parks and wildlife commission. The act also clarifies that "wildlife" does not include privately owned cattle, including bison legally reduced to captivity or bison that have escaped lawful captivity, or bison owned by or lawfully reduced to captivity by an Indian tribe.
The fee for issuing a bison hunting license is set at $374.22 for a resident and $2,756.74 for a nonresident. The penalty for illegal possession of wild bison is a fine of not less than $1,000 and not more than $100,000, or imprisonment for not more than one year in the county jail, and an assessment of 20 license suspension points. The penalty for illegally killing or capturing a bison is a fine of $10,000. The value of a bison is set at $1,000 for the purposes of recovering the value of a bison that is illegally killed or captured.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Prime Sponsors
Senator
Jessie Danielson
Representative
Junie Joseph
Representative
Elizabeth Velasco
Committees
Related Documents & Information
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Refer Senate Bill 25-053 to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 7-4. | Vote summary |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Refer Senate Bill 25-053 to the Committee on Appropriations. | The motion passed on a vote of 8-5. | Vote summary |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt amendment J.001 | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Refer Senate Bill 25-053, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. | The motion passed on a vote of 4-3. | Vote summary |
| Activity | Vote | Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment E). | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment F). | The motion passed without objection. | Vote summary |
| Refer Senate Bill 25-053, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. | The motion passed on a vote of 4-3. | Vote summary |
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/28/2025 | Third Reading | BILL |
40
AYE
24
NO
1
OTHER
|
Vote record |
| Date | Calendar | Motion | Vote | Vote Document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/17/2025 | Third Reading | BILL |
24
AYE
11
NO
0
OTHER
|
Vote record |
| Date | Amendment Number | Committee/ Floor Hearing | Status | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/15/2025 | L.009 | Second Reading | Passed [**] | |
| 04/15/2025 | L.010 | Second Reading | Passed [**] | |
| 04/15/2025 | L.011 | Second Reading | Passed [**] | |
| 04/11/2025 | J.001 | SEN Appropriations | Passed [*] | |
| 03/25/2025 | L.001 | SEN Agriculture & Natural Resources | Passed [*] | |
| 03/20/2025 | L.003 | SEN Agriculture & Natural Resources | Passed [*] |
| Date | Location | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 05/22/2025 | Governor | Governor Signed |
| 05/06/2025 | House | Signed by the Speaker of the House |
| 05/06/2025 | Governor | Sent to the Governor |
| 05/06/2025 | Senate | Signed by the President of the Senate |
| 04/28/2025 | House | House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 04/25/2025 | House | House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments |
| 04/25/2025 | House | House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole |
| 04/21/2025 | House | House Committee on Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Refer Unamended to Appropriations |
| 04/17/2025 | House | Introduced In House - Assigned to Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources |
| 04/17/2025 | Senate | Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments |
| 04/16/2025 | Senate | Senate Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments |
| 04/15/2025 | Senate | Senate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor |
| 04/11/2025 | Senate | Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole |
| 03/20/2025 | Senate | Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Amended to Appropriations |
| 01/15/2025 | Senate | Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Agriculture & Natural Resources |
Prime Sponsor
Sponsor
Co-Sponsor
| Effective Date | Chapter # | Title | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/01/2026 | 223 | Protect Wild Bison |