License initiative gets OK

By ERIN P. BILLINGS Missoulian State Bureau

Organization doesn't want to provide Social Security numbers for hunting, fishing licenses

HELENA - A Missoula gun organization received approval this week to gather signatures for a ballot initiative to ax parts of a 1999 law requiring applicants for hunting and fishing licenses to furnish their Social Security numbers.

The secretary of state gave final approval Wednesday to Initiative 141, a measure launched by the Montana Shooting Sports Association of Missoula. Backers of I-141 must collect the signatures of 19,862 registered Montana voters by June 23 to qualify the measure for the November ballot.

I-141 seeks to do away with portions of Senate Bill 76, by Sen. Tom Beck, R-Deer Lodge, and requested by the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. SB 76 requires Social Security numbers be provided on drivers license applications and forms for recreational licenses to help the state find parents behind on child support payments.

Supporters of I-141 argue that requiring individuals to hand over Social Security numbers infringes on Montana's constitutional right of privacy, unfairly subjects sportsmen to identity theft and violates the state-federal compact giving Montana authority over its wildlife.

Although no formal opposition has formed, state officials have warned the 1999 law is required by the federal government and if I-141 succeeds it would put at risk $116 million in child-support enforcement money. Those officials have said the only alternative to enforcing the law is the federal government revoking the requirement that Social Security numbers be handed over.

But Gary Marbut, president of the Shooting Sports Association, said this week that not all states have complied with federal Social Security number requirement and are still receiving federal funds. He said I-141 would ensure Montanans can protect their privacy.

"Thousands of Montana hunters and anglers are angry about this intrusion into their personal privacy," Marbut said. "Lots of people have told me that they are just not going to buy licenses at all this year. The people of Montana need an alternative to being victimized by a Legislature that has sold our personal privacy for federal money.

"I-141 will offer citizens that alternative."

I-141 would take effect upon passage and thus wouldn't affect most recreational licenses purchased this year. Marbut said it's unclear how many sportsmen will back out of buying licenses this year.

As for whether the organization will be able to gather the necessary signatures by the deadline, Marbut said he is hopeful and plans to use the Internet to make it easier by providing petitions and instructions to interested people.

"I think it's plenty of time if it catches fire like we hope it will," said Marbut. "It seems a lot of sportsmen are energized by this. That's what it takes for a successful campaign is energized people."