Environment

vetoed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 676: Generally revise state land and water laws

HB 676 proposes revisions to state laws governing land and water rights. It would eliminate the Water Court's duty to complete water rights adjudication by July 1, 2030, and repeals several related statutes. The bill also prohibits the Board of Land Commissioners from acquiring private water rights for state lands. Additionally, it requires the state to sell isolated land parcels with water rights to their current lessees, impacting water rights holders, the Water Court, and state land management.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentEliminates water rights adjudication deadline and prohibits state acquisition of water rights, reducing regulatory oversight of water resources.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

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signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 580: Clarify water right abandonment

HB 580 clarifies Montana's water right abandonment laws, directly affecting individuals and entities holding water rights. The bill specifies that reducing or ceasing the use of a water right during a drought does not automatically signify an intent to abandon that right. This protection applies if the area is experiencing a moderate (D1) or worse drought, or if the nonuse aligns with an official drought plan. The legislation aims to prevent water rights from being lost solely due to conservation efforts during dry periods.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPrevents automatic abandonment of water rights during droughts when conserving water, supporting environmental conservation efforts by protecting rights tied to sustainable water use during dry periods.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 46: Increase registration fee for underground petroleum tanks

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases registration fees to fund underground storage tank program costs, generating additional revenue for state fiscal management as stated in summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill increases fees to fund underground tank program, enhancing environmental protection by covering regulatory costs for leak prevention and cleanup.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Montana · House May 12, 2025

HB 411: Exempt agricultural property from open space levies

House Bill 411 (HB 411) exempts agricultural property from local property tax levies that are used to fund open space initiatives. This means that owners of land classified as agricultural will no longer be required to pay the portion of their property taxes designated for open space purposes. The bill also allows counties to reduce any open space payments made to agricultural properties that are now exempt from these levies. This change applies retroactively to property tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts agricultural property from open space levies, reducing tax revenue for these programs and defunding open space initiatives.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts agricultural property from open space levies, reducing funding for conservation initiatives that protect natural areas and limit environmental protection efforts.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 808: Creating the Montana brownfields program

House Bill 808 establishes the Montana Brownfields Revitalization Act, creating a program to encourage the cleanup and redevelopment of "brownfield sites" across the state. These are properties where hazardous substances or petroleum contamination may hinder their reuse or expansion. The bill outlines eligibility criteria for brownfield funding, allowing entities like local governments and non-profits to use federal funds for environmental assessment and remediation when no viable responsible party for the contamination exists. This aims to prepare properties for redevelopment, reduce environmental threats, and return them to productive use. The act also eliminates and replaces previous Montana Petroleum Brownfields Revitalization Act provisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentCreates program for cleanup/remediation of contaminated brownfield sites, directly advancing environmental protection through remediation funding and site redevelopment.95% 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 554: Remove FWP requirement to regulate wolves as furbearers or game animals

HB 554 changes how the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks (FWP) manages wolves after they are removed from endangered species lists. It removes a previous requirement that mandated FWP to classify and regulate wolves as either game animals or furbearers. Under the amended law, the Fish and Wildlife Commission now has the discretion to declare wolves as game animals or furbearers, allowing for regulated hunting or trapping, but it is no longer a mandatory classification. The bill also retains provisions for controlling wolves to protect livestock, consistent with an approved wolf management plan.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves mandatory wolf classification, allowing potential unrestricted hunting, weakening conservation requirements for a protected species post-endangered status.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ 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

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 168: Revise laws related to lakeshore protection

SB 168 revises laws regarding lakeshore protection, primarily affecting property owners and contractors with structures in lakeshore protection zones. The bill establishes a 3-year statute of limitations for legal actions against these parties for violating lakeshore regulations, starting from construction completion or permit issuance for clearly visible structures. This limitation does not apply if the structure causes documented harm to the lakeshore, interferes with navigation, or creates a public nuisance. Additionally, the bill exempts minor ongoing maintenance, remodeling, or modifications (changes under $10,000 over five years) from future permitting requirements, unless they involve significant environmental impact or interfere with navigation.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill establishes 3-year statute of limitations for lakeshore violation enforcement, weakening accountability except for documented harm cases, reducing enforcement opportunities.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ 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

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