Environment

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 473: Prohibit weather modification.

SB 473 prohibits most weather modification activities in Montana, specifically banning large-scale "geoengineering" projects like spraying particles into the atmosphere to alter climate (e.g., stratospheric aerosol injection or marine cloud brightening). It exempts established cloud seeding practices used for agriculture and snowmaking under existing law (85-3-101 through 85-3-424). The bill directly affects researchers, companies, or entities conducting weather-altering experiments within Montana’s borders. Key provisions ban intentionally releasing chemicals or devices for weather control, temperature modification, or sunlight intensity changes, except for permitted cloud seeding. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans large-scale geoengineering (e.g., stratospheric aerosol injection) that could alter climate, protecting environment from untested interventions while exempting existing agricultural practices.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

Track

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 No ✗ Opposes Environment

Track

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 No ✗ Opposes Environment

Track

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 Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 813: Provide for the agricultural emissions right to repair act

HB 813, known as the "Agricultural Emissions Right to Repair Act," aimed to revise laws concerning the repair and maintenance of agricultural equipment. The bill would have required original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to provide independent repair providers and equipment owners with documentation, parts, and tools necessary for diagnosing, maintaining, and repairing agricultural equipment *emission systems*. These resources were to be made available on "fair and reasonable terms," and the bill prohibited practices such as parts pairing that could hinder repairs. The goal was to ensure greater access to the resources needed for fixing emissions-related components on agricultural machinery.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates OEMs provide repair resources for agricultural equipment emission systems, enabling proper maintenance to reduce emissions and support environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

Track

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 Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

Track

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 923: Revise categorical exclusions from nondegradation authorization

HB 923 directs the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to amend its administrative rules by January 1, 2026. This amendment will create a new categorical exclusion from nondegradation authorization requirements. This exclusion applies to areas where a county commission demonstrates it has prohibited drinking water wells and ensures absorption trenches are at least 1,000 feet from downstream high-quality surface waters. The bill also appropriates $10,000 to the DEQ to implement these rule changes and provide guidance.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentCreates categorical exclusion from nondegradation rules, reducing regulatory requirements for water protection near development sites.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 55: Revising public utility resource planning laws

HB 55 revises the laws governing how public utilities plan for their customers' future energy needs. It requires public utilities to submit detailed resource plans every three years, including evaluations of renewable energy and demand-side management scenarios, and to hold more public meetings before submitting these plans. The bill establishes a special revenue account within the Department of Environmental Quality to fund an independent evaluator, paid for by fees charged to public utilities, who will assist in reviewing these plans. Additionally, the state commission can now engage independent consultants to evaluate utility plans, with these costs being recoverable in rates charged to customers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes special revenue account funded by utility fees to support independent evaluation, directly advancing fiscal oversight under appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates evaluation of renewable energy scenarios and demand-side management in utility planning, advancing renewable integration and efficiency standards.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires renewable energy evaluations in utility plans and funds DEQ independent evaluator via utility fees, advancing clean energy planning and environmental oversight.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Montana · House May 14, 2025

HB 587: Revise mine reclamation laws

HB 587 revises existing mine reclamation laws. The bill updates the definition of "material damage" and clarifies the hydrologic and geologic information required for mining permits. It grants rulemaking authority to the Department of Environmental Quality and amends specific sections of state law. These changes impact mining operations by adjusting the regulatory framework and definitions used for reclamation activities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill revises mine reclamation laws to clarify environmental requirements and grants DEQ rulemaking authority, strengthening regulatory oversight for environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 736: Provide nutrient pollutant loading offsets

HB 736 establishes a system for nutrient pollutant loading offsets for facilities holding water quality discharge permits. It allows these permitted dischargers to meet their nutrient discharge limits by reducing nutrient pollution from other sources within the same watershed, including both direct discharge points and diffuse sources. The bill specifies varying offset percentages based on the type and location of the pollution reduction. It directs the state's environmental department to establish statewide offset values for various nonpoint pollution reduction projects, such as riparian fencing or wetlands development, and to amend existing policies to implement these provisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes system enabling nutrient pollution reduction via offsets, directly targeting water quality protection and pollution control within watersheds.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment