Committee approves LD 2055 to clarify moose permit transfers and regulate certain lead jigs

The Joint Standing Committee approved LD 2055, which makes technical corrections and substantive clarifications to inland fisheries and wildlife law. The bill clarifies that a veteran transferee of a moose permit is subject to an ineligibility period mirroring existing permit language (a transferee may not obtain another moose permit until the fourth calendar year after issuance) and reorganizes regulations on the use of lead jigs and lead sinkers.

Crystal Theria of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife said the department prefers the analyst's suggested language (option 2) to mirror existing permit language and avoid ambiguity. The department also proposed reverting language from "fish eggs" back to the scientific term "gametes" to ensure both fish eggs and milt are covered in the statute; staff accepted that technical change.

The bill includes a prohibition on certain lead jigs beginning September 1, 2026, and clarifies size/weight thresholds that currently apply (e.g., 2.5 inches or 1 ounce thresholds described in the proposed language). Committee members asked clarifying questions about scope and the department supplied recent veteran‑permit counts (an average in recent years of roughly 40–52 veterans receiving moose permits, depending on year).

The committee voted unanimously to report LD 2055 ought to pass as amended. The vote advances the technical clarifications and the lead‑jig prohibition for further drafting and language review.