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 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 No ✓ 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 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 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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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

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 932: Generally revise conservation financing laws

House Bill 932 revises laws related to funding for conservation efforts, primarily by reallocating a portion of the state's marijuana tax revenue. The bill establishes a new Habitat Legacy Account, which receives 20% of the net balance from the Marijuana State Special Revenue Account after an initial transfer. Funds from this Habitat Legacy Account are then distributed into three other new accounts. These accounts are dedicated to securing wildlife habitat, funding wildlife improvement projects, and supporting the design and construction of big game and wildlife highway crossings to enhance animal movement and safety. The Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks is responsible for administering these new accounts.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill creates Habitat Legacy Account using marijuana tax revenue to fund wildlife habitat conservation and improvement projects, directly advancing environmental protection through dedicated funding streams.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment