It's Official: The Huckleberry Is Montana's State Fruit.

As of July 1, 2023 there are a number of laws going into effect involving electric vehicles, education, as well as reproductive rights.

via GIPHY

One such house bill, HB 880 effectively makes the Huckleberry the official state fruit of Montana. A move from the state that is a long time coming. In Montana, one can find anything involving huckleberry at any number of gift shops and it's been that way since I can remember. The huckleberry has been a cultural staple of joy and income for many a Montanans during tourist season.

The State has appropriated five-hundred dollars($500) from the state fund to The Montana Department of Transportation to design an image to be used with other state symbols as well as using the image in Montana tourist maps across the state.

Now that we will have huckleberry markers on maps it will be easier for both Montanans and tourists alike to find amazing spots across the state to have a picking session with friends and family.

READ MORE: Great ‘Made in Montana’ gifts.

The Huckleberry joins the ranks with other official state symbols like The Cutthroat Trout, The Grizzly Bear, The Western Meadowlark, The Bitterroot, and The Ponderosa Pine.

The language according to the 2023 Montana State Legislature:

AN ACT MAKING THE HUCKLEBERRY THE OFFICIAL STATE FRUIT OF MONTANA; PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. State fruit. The huckleberry, Vaccinium membranaceum, is the official state fruit.
Section 2. Appropriation. There is appropriated $500 from the state general fund to the department of transportation for the biennium beginning July 1, 2023, to design an image of a huckleberry for inclusion with other state symbols on the Montana highway tourist map.
Section 3. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 1, chapter 1, part 5, and the provisions of Title 1, chapter 1, part 5, apply to [section 1].
Section 4. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2023.