Environment

vetoed · Montana · House Jun 27, 2025

HB 283: Revise laws for hunting licenses lotteries

HB 283 would allow Montana's wildlife commission to issue one male mountain sheep and one male Shiras moose hunting license annually through a lottery or auction, instead of traditional methods. Hunters seeking these licenses would enter the lottery, and any proceeds from sales would fund conservation efforts for these species, with wildlife groups allowed to retain up to 10% of proceeds to cover lottery costs. The bill specifies that all remaining funds must directly benefit mountain sheep and moose management, supplementing existing department budgets. Note: This bill was vetoed by the governor and the legislature failed to override the veto, so it is not currently law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates hunting license proceeds to fund mountain sheep/moose conservation, directly advancing species protection through dedicated funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · Montana · House Jun 17, 2025

HB 368: Generally revise water supply requirements for coal-fired generating units

HB 368 requires operators of coal-fired power plants (over 200 megawatts) in Montana to provide ongoing water access for residential and commercial use to the city or town where the plant is located if the plant closes. It mandates operators maintain water delivery systems until cleanup meets environmental standards, with financial assurance for water supply 30 years after closure. The bill directly affects plant operators and local governments, ensuring continued municipal water access even after plant retirement. Key provisions include revised definitions for "retired" plants, cleanup criteria, and requirements for operators to cover long-term water needs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates environmental cleanup standards for water systems post-closure, ensuring continued protection and preventing pollution from decommissioned coal plants.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

vetoed · Montana · Senate Jun 12, 2025

SB 472: Revise penalties for violations under 310 permit process

SB 472 removes the previous $250,000 cap on civil penalties for repeated violations of Montana's stream protection rules (under the Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act). It specifically exempts forest activities that follow state forestry rules from these penalties. The bill affects developers, loggers, or others working in stream zones who violate permit requirements, allowing penalties to grow without limit for ongoing violations. It takes immediate effect upon approval.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves $250k penalty cap for repeated stream protection violations, strengthening enforcement. Exemption for compliant forest activities doesn't weaken overall environmental protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 57: Designate quail as upland game bird

HB 57 would amend Montana law to officially include California quail and Gambel's quail in the state's definition of "upland game birds" under Section 87-2-101, MCA. This change would directly affect hunters and wildlife managers by adding these quail species to the list of birds subject to regulated hunting seasons, bag limits, and conservation practices already applied to birds like pheasants and grouse. The bill specifically updates the legal definition without altering hunting seasons or regulations, ensuring these quail would be managed under existing upland game bird frameworks. The bill was introduced by request of the Environmental Quality Council but died in process on May 22, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill formalizes quail conservation under existing wildlife management, aligning with conservation practices for upland game birds like pheasants and grouse.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 660: Require rules to limit GHG emissions

HB 660, titled "Require rules to limit GHG emissions," would have mandated the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to develop specific rules for limiting greenhouse gas emissions. This bill sought to amend existing state law (Section 75-2-112, MCA) by requiring the DEQ to create regulations to protect public health, safety, welfare, and the environment from these emissions. The legislation directly affects the DEQ by expanding its regulatory responsibilities to include greenhouse gases.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates DEQ to create rules limiting GHG emissions, directly advancing environmental protection and reducing fossil fuel dependence in energy policy.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates DEQ to develop rules limiting GHG emissions, directly strengthening environmental regulations to protect public health and environment per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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

HB 889: Revise local growth policy and county zoning laws

HB 889 aimed to revise laws governing local government land use regulations and county zoning. The bill proposed that certain requirements related to "sensitive lands" could not be included in growth policies for areas located outside of city limits. It also detailed the required contents for local growth policies, affecting how counties and cities plan for future development and manage resources. This legislation would have impacted local governments' authority over land use planning in unincorporated areas.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill removes 'sensitive lands' requirements from county zoning outside cities, weakening protections for environmentally sensitive areas by limiting local government authority over development in ecologically important zones.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 229: Generally revise Montana environmental policy act to Implement court decision

HB 229 aimed to revise the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) to implement a Montana Supreme Court decision. The bill would have removed the prohibition on state agencies evaluating greenhouse gas emissions during environmental reviews for projects. It also sought to clarify MEPA's purpose, focusing on public information and considering environmental impacts, while setting criteria for analyzing project alternatives and potential impacts on private property rights. This would have affected how state agencies conduct environmental assessments and the scope of information considered for state-sponsored projects in Montana.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves prohibition on evaluating greenhouse gas emissions in environmental reviews, enabling consideration of climate impacts per court decision, strengthening MEPA's environmental review process.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 935: Limits to Fox Hills-Hell Creek aquifer withdrawals

HB 935 allows the department to temporarily suspend or close new permit applications for large groundwater appropriations (3,000 gallons per minute or more) from specific areas within the Fox Hills-Hell Creek aquifer. This action aims to balance water development with the protection of existing water rights. The bill also mandates the Bureau of Mines and Geology to conduct a feasibility study on groundwater availability in these areas. It appropriates $5,000 for this study, and the act's provisions are set to terminate on June 30, 2027.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts large groundwater withdrawals to protect aquifer (natural resource) and mandates study for sustainable management, aligning with conservation goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment