SB 46 revises the annual registration fees for owners and operators of underground petroleum or hazardous substance storage tanks. The bill increases the maximum annual fee for tanks over 1,100 gallons from $108 to $300. For tanks 1,100 gallons or less, the maximum annual fee is raised from $36 to $100. These fees help cover state and local costs associated with implementing the underground storage tank program.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SB 55 is a procedural bill that states Montana's legislative intent to support coordinated collection and sharing of streamflow data. It recognizes that timely streamflow information - gathered by state, federal, tribal, and local entities - is essential for managing water under existing laws, including the Montana Water Use Act and drought planning. The bill does not create new programs or funding but affirms the legislature's position that better data coordination benefits water managers, municipalities, and agricultural users in addressing seasonal and climate-related water supply challenges.
