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 Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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 13, 2025

HB 717: Revise transfer of mining operator to successor

HB 717 revises the process for transferring mining operation permits to successor operators, especially when an original operator has a forfeited bond and fails to complete reclamation. It grants the state's Department the power of eminent domain to acquire surface, mineral, or other property interests within a mining permit boundary under specific conditions. This power can be exercised if the department finds it is in the public interest for taxpayers and environmental protection, and a successor operator is available to take over the permit and complete reclamation. The bill also outlines how compensation is determined in these eminent domain cases, considering factors like reclamation costs and existing liabilities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly authorizes state use of eminent domain for environmental protection when mining reclamation is incomplete, strengthening enforcement of post-mining environmental restoration.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ 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 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 · House May 6, 2025

HB 217: Transfer the state building energy conservation program to the Dept. of Administration A&E division

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.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill transfers energy conservation program to new division, maintaining focus on state building energy efficiency improvements and analyses per summary and subjects.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTransfers energy conservation program to manage building efficiency, maintaining focus on reducing energy use and emissions through state building improvements.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed both · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HJ 35: Joint resolution urging changes to federal wildfire policy

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAdvocates for EPA air quality standards including wildfire smoke and reversing 'let it burn' policies to protect natural resources and reduce pollution from wildfires.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill advocates including wildfire smoke in EPA air quality standards, a public health program, strengthening air quality measures affecting health.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly urges federal forest roads to remain open for fire suppression access, directly supporting transportation infrastructure maintenance and access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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