2023 Montana Code Annotated › Title 87. Fish and Wildlife › Chapter 4. Commercial Activities › Part 4. Alternative Livestock Ranches › 87-4-427. Revocation of license -- criteria -- penalties

87-4-427. Revocation of license -- criteria -- penalties.
(1) The department may revoke any alternative livestock ranch license or impose any of the penalties or conditions specified in subsection (3) if the licensee or the principal manager has committed or is responsible for any of the following acts or omissions:
(a) failure to operate an alternative livestock ranch according to the provisions of this part, rules adopted under this part, or stipulations of the alternative livestock ranch license;
(b) making a materially false statement in the license application;
(c) having pleaded guilty to or been convicted of a felony, including a case in which the sentence is suspended or imposition of the sentence is deferred, unless civil rights have been restored pursuant to law;
(d) two convictions or bond forfeitures of $100 or more for violations of the fish and game laws or applicable regulations of any state or the United States within the preceding 5 years;
(e) negligent or willful misconduct of the alternative livestock ranch operation, including but not limited to the unauthorized egress and ingress of game animal species or alternative livestock that:
(i) threatens public safety;
(ii) endangers native game animal populations or habitat through the establishment of feral populations, genetic pollution, or competition for forage or habitat; or
(iii) increases the risk of transmission of disease to native wildlife and the alternative livestock of others;
(f) a material and willful falsification of any required alternative livestock ranch records or reports;
(g) the purposeful capture of wild animals within the perimeter fence of an alternative livestock ranch;
(h) repeated failure to maintain or repair required fences or facilities; or
(i) any other willful conduct or omission that creates a substantial threat to other alternative livestock and operators or to native wildlife or habitat.
(2) If misconduct under subsection (1)(e) is negligent, the licensee must be given notice and 30 days to correct the misconduct and any adverse impacts of the misconduct. Negligent misconduct may be grounds for license revocation only if the misconduct is not corrected after the initial notice or if the misconduct is repeated.
(3) If the department finds, after opportunity for a hearing required under 87-4-428, that an alternative livestock ranch licensee or the principal manager is responsible for any act or omission set out in subsection (1), the department may in its discretion impose any one or more of the following penalties upon the licensee:
(a) revocation of the alternative livestock ranch license for up to 5 years;
(b) imposition of a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000, restoration of any damage to native wildlife, or both;
(c) deferral of the revocation of a license subject to the completion of or adherence to specified conditions; or
(d) reprimand of a licensee.
(4) In addition to the revocation of a license or other penalties allowed by this section, a person who purposely or knowingly violates this part or a rule adopted pursuant to this part is subject to the penalties provided in 87-6-705.
History: En. Sec. 12, Ch. 315, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 26, Ch. 574, L. 1999; amd. Sec. 109, Ch. 258, L. 2011.