Environment

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 258: Requiring the extension of wolf hunting season

House Bill 258 (HB 258) aimed to revise laws concerning wolf hunting in Montana. The bill would have required the Fish and Wildlife Commission to authorize an annual wolf hunting season. Its main provision was to extend this wolf hunting season to conclude concurrently with the spring bear hunting season, allowing for specific regional adjustments by the commission. This legislation would have directly impacted wolf hunters and the state's wildlife management policies for wolves.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExtends wolf hunting season, potentially reducing wolf populations and weakening conservation efforts for a protected species under environmental protection policies.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HJ 12: Resolution regarding electric vehicles

HJ 12 is a Montana joint resolution requesting the U.S. Congress remove federal requirements for electric vehicle (EV) purchases. It cites Montana-specific challenges like limited rural charging infrastructure, reduced EV range in cold weather, and lack of all-terrain EV options, arguing these make EVs impractical for Montanans' needs. The resolution does not create new law but asks Congress to eliminate federal EV mandates, allowing Montanans to choose vehicle types freely. It was referred to a committee but died in 2025 without further action.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill requests removal of federal EV mandates, opposing federal energy policy promoting EV adoption and clean transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill seeks to eliminate federal EV mandates, weakening promotion of cleaner transportation - a key environmental protection measure. Removing such requirements opposes climate action goals.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRequests removal of federal EV mandates, opposing federal regulation of vehicle choices in transportation policy, directly limiting transportation program requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 222: Creating open wolf hunting season until the population is 600 or fewer

HB 222 proposed creating a year-round open wolf hunting season in Montana. This season would have an unlimited quota, meaning there would be no limit on the number of wolves that could be hunted. The hunting season would continue until the statewide wolf population reached 600 or fewer, at which point it could be closed. The bill aimed to amend existing state law to mandate that the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission authorize this specific wolf hunting season.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill mandates unrestricted wolf hunting to reduce population below conservation levels, directly opposing wildlife protection efforts and conservation requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 256: Creation of Montana water trust and special revenue accounts

HB 256 proposed creating the Montana Water Development State Special Revenue Account to fund water-related projects and infrastructure. This new account would be established with gifts, legislative transfers, and $100 million transferred from the state's general fund over two years. The earnings from this account would be distributed, with 90% allocated to the water storage state special revenue account for state-owned water storage projects. The remaining 10% would go to the natural resources projects state special revenue account to support water storage pilot projects and dam inspections, ultimately affecting water infrastructure and safety across Montana.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates $100M from general fund to water storage projects and natural resources, directly funding environmental conservation infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HJ 39: Joint resolution protecting public lands.

House Joint Resolution 39 is a legislative statement from the Montana Legislature concerning public lands. The resolution supports keeping national public lands under the stewardship of the United States government and federal land management agencies. It expresses opposition to any efforts to sell, transfer, or dispose of national or state public lands. The resolution also encourages Montana's Governor, Attorney General, and Congressional Delegation to oppose future attempts to sell, transfer, or dispose of national public lands.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentOpposes land disposal, supporting federal stewardship of public lands for conservation and wildlife protection, directly advancing environmental resource management.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 326: Establish a tax on electrical energy not produced by coal to match coal severance tax rate

HB 326, titled the "State Energy Resource Severance Act," would establish a new 10% tax on the sale price of electrical energy produced in the state. This tax would apply to electricity generated from sources such as water, wind, and solar, but specifically exempts coal-fired electrical generation. The bill also reduces the existing coal severance tax rate to match this new electrical energy production tax rate. Revenue from this new tax would be allocated to special accounts, primarily for local government infrastructure projects traditionally funded by coal.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new 10% tax on non-coal energy (wind/solar), reallocates revenue to local accounts for public services, strengthening tax base and fiscal management per bill's explicit tax structure.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill taxes renewable energy (wind/solar/hydro) at 10% while exempting coal and reducing coal's severance tax, directly favoring fossil fuels over renewables.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentTaxes renewable energy sources while exempting coal, disincentivizing clean energy adoption and favoring fossil fuels over environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 139: Revise laws related to mule deer buck hunting in November

HB 139 aimed to revise laws related to mule deer buck hunting in Montana, directly affecting hunters and the state's Fish, Wildlife & Parks commission. The bill would have restricted the commission's ability to close mule deer buck hunting during the general rifle season in November. Specifically, it would have prohibited closures in more than 20% of hunting districts per season, for more than two years within a six-year period in any district, or prior to November 6 in any district. These new restrictions would not have applied to any district closures already in place before December 1, 2024.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill restricts wildlife commission's ability to close hunting areas, limiting conservation measures for mule deer populations and weakening protective regulations.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 813: Provide for the agricultural emissions right to repair act

HB 813, known as the "Agricultural Emissions Right to Repair Act," aimed to revise laws concerning the repair and maintenance of agricultural equipment. The bill would have required original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to provide independent repair providers and equipment owners with documentation, parts, and tools necessary for diagnosing, maintaining, and repairing agricultural equipment *emission systems*. These resources were to be made available on "fair and reasonable terms," and the bill prohibited practices such as parts pairing that could hinder repairs. The goal was to ensure greater access to the resources needed for fixing emissions-related components on agricultural machinery.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates OEMs provide repair resources for agricultural equipment emission systems, enabling proper maintenance to reduce emissions and support environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 290: Regulate sales of certain products containing PFAs

HB 290 aimed to regulate products containing Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) within the state. Starting January 1, 2028, it would prohibit the manufacture, sale, or offer for sale of cosmetics, juvenile products, and menstrual products that contain intentionally added PFAS. Manufacturers would be required to provide a certificate of compliance for these products. Additionally, the bill would prohibit the use of class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS for training purposes from January 1, 2028, and regulate its emergency use at terminals, requiring annual notice and justification to the state fire marshal.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans PFAS in products and firefighting foam, reducing environmental pollution from persistent toxic chemicals.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill restricts PFAS in consumer products to prevent health risks, supporting public health programs under healthcare.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 101: Reclassify wolves as furbearers and align existing wolf tagging and furbearer hunting restrictions

HB 101 reclassifies gray wolves as furbearers, integrating them into existing furbearer hunting and trapping regulations. The bill establishes specific wolf hunting licenses for residents and nonresidents, outlining associated fees and tagging requirements for harvested wolves. It introduces new management provisions, allowing for more liberal harvest opportunities such as multiple licenses per individual, the use of bait for trapping, and night hunting on private lands. Additionally, the bill permits landowners to take wolves threatening human safety, livestock, or dogs on their property without a license under specific reporting requirements and a quota.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentReclassifies wolves as furbearers, enabling increased hunting/trapping (multiple licenses, baiting, night hunting), weakening conservation protections for a species often requiring protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

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