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

vetoed · Montana · House May 1, 2025

HB 477: Phase out polystyrene single use food containers (with exceptions)

House Bill 477 aimed to phase out the use of expanded polystyrene foam, commonly known as Styrofoam, in food-related businesses. Beginning in 2028, it would have prohibited restaurants and food establishments from serving food or beverages in these containers for on-premises consumption. By 2029, this prohibition would extend to packaging prepared food by restaurants, hotels, and resorts, and by 2030, food packagers would be restricted from using them. Businesses could apply to the Department of Environmental Quality for exemptions if compliance caused undue hardship or if no acceptable alternatives were available, with the department authorized to charge a fee for such applications.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPhasing out polystyrene containers reduces plastic pollution and aligns with environmental protection goals, directly addressing waste management and conservation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

Track

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

Track

signed · Montana · House Apr 18, 2025

HB 58: Revise distributions mine remediation

HB 58 revises how state funds are distributed for environmental cleanup, specifically targeting abandoned mine sites and hazardous waste areas. The bill mandates a biennial transfer of $500,000 through June 2038 for long-term maintenance and water treatment at the CR Kendall mine reclamation site. It also extends the state's financial contribution for cleanup, operation, and maintenance at the Libby asbestos superfund site until June 2038. These provisions ensure continued funding for critical environmental remediation efforts managed by the Department of Environmental Quality.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates biennial $500k transfers for mine remediation and hazardous waste cleanup, ensuring long-term environmental protection at specific sites through sustained funding until 2038.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Montana · House Apr 18, 2025

HB 127: Revise laws related to the fire suppression account

HB 127 revises laws related to Montana's fire suppression account, which funds various activities like fire suppression costs, fuel reduction, and forest restoration. The bill removes a specific date reference, making an annual statutory appropriation for fire preparedness an ongoing allocation from the account. It also establishes new reporting requirements, mandating that the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) submit annual expenditure reports to a legislative committee. These changes affect the DNRC's financial management and legislative oversight of funds used for fire-related activities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds forest restoration and fire suppression activities, supporting conservation efforts through ongoing appropriations and reporting requirements.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 365: Revise siltation structure capacity at mines

Senate Bill 365 revises the capacity requirements for siltation structures at strip and underground mines in Montana. The bill amends Section 82-4-231, MCA, which outlines the process for mine operators to submit and obtain approval for reclamation plans. It grants rulemaking authority to the relevant department to establish specific requirements for these structures. The changes aim to ensure effective water control measures are included in reclamation plans to prevent damages from soil erosion and water pollution.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill revises siltation structure requirements to prevent soil erosion and ensure effective water control, directly protecting water quality and preventing environmental damage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Montana · House Apr 18, 2025

HB 189: Revise the petroleum storage tank cleanup eligibility requirements

HB 189 revises the eligibility requirements for reimbursement from the petroleum tank release cleanup fund. It primarily changes the date for which cleanup expenses can be reimbursed, extending it from April 13, 1989, to January 1, 1984, for certain owners and operators of petroleum storage tanks. This adjustment allows for the reimbursement of older cleanup costs for releases from eligible tanks. The bill also extends rulemaking authority related to these provisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands reimbursement eligibility for historical petroleum tank cleanup costs, facilitating pollution remediation and aligning with environmental protection goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 315: Allocate funding for petroleum tank cleanup

SB 315 revises laws related to the Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board, establishing new procedures for reimbursing owners and operators of Montana petroleum facilities for preventative measures. These measures include the removal of inactive tanks, upgrades to automatic tank gauges, and replacement of older single-walled tanks and piping. Owners or operators can receive up to $2,000 per facility every 1,000 days for approved preventative actions. The bill also modifies procedures for discussing responses to petroleum releases, making meetings discretionary for releases under $100,000.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds preventative measures (tank removal/upgrades) to prevent petroleum leaks, reducing environmental contamination risk per bill's focus on cleanup and protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 120: Revise commercial property assessed clean energy laws

HB 120 expands Montana's Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program to include multifamily housing facilities with at least five residential units. This change directly affects property owners and developers of qualifying multifamily buildings (e.g., apartment complexes), allowing them to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades through property assessments. The bill amends definitions to explicitly include these residential properties under the program, covering improvements like insulation, solar panels, and energy-efficient appliances. It maintains the existing financing mechanism where costs are repaid through property taxes over time, without requiring new debt or upfront payments from property owners. The law took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on April 7, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands C-PACE financing for renewable energy and efficiency upgrades in multifamily housing, directly advancing clean energy adoption through property-assessed funding.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands C-PACE program to fund energy efficiency/renewable upgrades in multifamily housing, directly promoting clean energy adoption and reducing emissions per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment