Environment

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 717: Revise transfer of mining operator to successor

HB 717 revises the process for transferring mining operation permits to successor operators, especially when an original operator has a forfeited bond and fails to complete reclamation. It grants the state's Department the power of eminent domain to acquire surface, mineral, or other property interests within a mining permit boundary under specific conditions. This power can be exercised if the department finds it is in the public interest for taxpayers and environmental protection, and a successor operator is available to take over the permit and complete reclamation. The bill also outlines how compensation is determined in these eminent domain cases, considering factors like reclamation costs and existing liabilities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly authorizes state use of eminent domain for environmental protection when mining reclamation is incomplete, strengthening enforcement of post-mining environmental restoration.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 47: Revise state building energy conservation program

HB 47 revises the State Building Energy Conservation Act, which affects state agencies, the university system, and community college districts concerning energy improvements in state-owned buildings. The bill removes the Department of Environmental Quality's authority to issue energy conservation program bonds. Instead, projects will be funded from the general fund or the energy conservation capital projects account. The Department of Environmental Quality is now authorized to set an annual interest rate, not exceeding 3%, for these projects.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill revises state building energy conservation program, maintaining funding for energy efficiency improvements in state-owned buildings via general fund.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill revises energy conservation program for state buildings, maintaining funding for energy improvements and conservation efforts under revised funding mechanisms.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 8: Renewable resource bonds and loans

HB 8 approves specific renewable resource projects and reauthorizes others, enabling the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to provide loans for them. These loans are available to various political subdivisions and local governments for purposes such as dam rehabilitation and irrigation system improvements. To fund these projects, the bill authorizes the issuance of up to $121,198,444 in coal severance tax bonds. Loan disbursements are subject to conditions including DNRC approval of the project's scope and budget, and the execution of a loan agreement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $121M in coal severance tax bonds for renewable infrastructure projects, using existing tax funds to finance approved initiatives under Appropriations and Coal Tax Fund subjects.92% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAuthorizes $121M in bonds for renewable projects via DNRC loans, directly funding clean energy infrastructure like dam rehab and irrigation improvements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds renewable projects via loans/bonds, promotes clean energy and water conservation through dam irrigation improvements and DNRC financing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed both · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HJ 44: Interim study of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and water quality

This joint resolution requests an interim study on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and their impact on water quality in Montana. The study, to be conducted by a legislative committee or staff, will review existing state and federal water quality laws and analyze research on the health effects of EDCs. It also aims to determine the prevalence of these chemicals in Montana. The study will offer recommendations for future legislative or regulatory changes, with final results reported to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill initiates study on EDCs in water to inform regulatory improvements, aligning with environmental protection goals through research and potential policy changes.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

signed · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HB 217: Transfer the state building energy conservation program to the Dept. of Administration A&E division

House Bill 217 transfers the State Building Energy Conservation Program from the Department of Environmental Quality to the Architecture and Engineering Division within the Department of Administration. This means the A&E Division will now manage efforts to identify state-owned buildings for energy savings, conduct energy analyses, and implement improvements. The bill also allows the Department of Environmental Quality to retain certain federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds previously allocated to the program. This change affects state agencies and aims to consolidate the administration of state building energy efficiency.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill transfers energy conservation program to new division, maintaining focus on state building energy efficiency improvements and analyses per summary and subjects.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTransfers energy conservation program to manage building efficiency, maintaining focus on reducing energy use and emissions through state building improvements.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed both · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HJ 35: Joint resolution urging changes to federal wildfire policy

HJ 35 is a joint resolution from the Montana Legislature urging federal officials to modify current federal land management and wildfire policies. It calls for an aggressive initial attack on wildfires across all federal lands and for federal forest roads to remain open for access and fire suppression. The resolution also recommends that EPA air quality standards include wildfire smoke and that federal "let it burn" policies be reversed, ensuring NEPA processes are followed. Finally, it advocates for increased involvement of state and local governments and stakeholder groups in federal fire management decisions to protect Montana's communities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdvocates for EPA air quality standards including wildfire smoke and reversing 'let it burn' policies to protect natural resources and reduce pollution from wildfires.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill advocates including wildfire smoke in EPA air quality standards, a public health program, strengthening air quality measures affecting health.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly urges federal forest roads to remain open for fire suppression access, directly supporting transportation infrastructure maintenance and access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

signed · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HB 180: Revise sanitation in subdivision laws related to mixing zones

HB 180 revises sanitation laws for subdivisions, focusing on "mixing zones" associated with subsurface wastewater treatment systems. The bill prohibits local boards of health from adopting regulations that would allow these mixing zones, which are areas where treated wastewater mixes with groundwater, to extend onto adjacent properties. This measure restricts the regulatory authority of local health boards and aims to protect adjacent property owners from encroachment by neighboring septic systems. It ensures that the environmental impact of such systems remains within the boundaries of the property where they are installed.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill restricts mixing zones of wastewater systems from extending to adjacent properties, preventing potential groundwater contamination and aligning with environmental protection.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Montana · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 221: Generally revise the Montana environmental policy act

SB 221 revises the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) by establishing new requirements for greenhouse gas (GHG) assessments during state agency environmental reviews. Under this bill, state agencies are mandated to conduct GHG assessments for proposed actions classified as "fossil fuel activities." For other proposed actions, agencies may conduct a GHG assessment if deemed necessary for MEPA compliance. The bill clarifies that these assessments are for informational purposes, and state agencies cannot regulate greenhouse gas emissions or deny permits based solely on these GHG assessments under MEPA. This affects Montana state agencies conducting environmental reviews and entities proposing fossil fuel-related projects.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates GHG assessments for fossil fuel projects under MEPA, advancing climate data collection for environmental reviews.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 330: Create auction or lottery licenses for antelope and swans

HB 330 creates a new system for issuing special hunting licenses for antelope and swans. Each year, the state commission may offer one antelope and one swan license through a competitive auction or lottery. Wildlife conservation organizations can be authorized to conduct these events, retaining a small portion of the proceeds to cover expenses. All remaining funds generated from these license sales will be used by the department specifically for the conservation and management of antelope and migratory game birds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill dedicates auction/lottery proceeds to antelope/swan conservation management, directly funding environmental protection efforts per summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed · Montana · House May 1, 2025

HR 6: Resolution on the protection of November mule deer hunt

This resolution from the Montana House of Representatives urges the state's Fish and Wildlife Commission to protect the traditional November mule deer hunt. It specifically asks the Commission to retain the current timing of the hunt, including the opportunity to harvest bucks during the rut, and to avoid moving the season earlier into October. The resolution also recommends restricting antlerless mule deer harvest in areas with declining populations. Furthermore, it suggests guidelines for any buck harvest restrictions, such as limiting their scope to a maximum of 20% of districts and incorporating biological triggers like buck-to-doe ratios.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts antlerless harvest in declining populations and maintains hunting timing to protect deer, aligning with conservation goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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