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

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 262: Exempt subdivision, water/sewer plans from environmental review

SB 262 exempts certain water and sewer system plans, along with specific subdivision applications, from environmental review requirements. The bill removes the obligation for the state department to conduct environmental reviews for water or sewer system plans. Additionally, it removes the requirement for local governments and independent reviewers to comply with the Montana Environmental Policy Act when reviewing small public water and sewer systems or subdivisions connecting to existing municipal systems. This change aims to streamline the approval process for these types of projects.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts water/sewer plans from environmental review, removing compliance with environmental regulations and weakening oversight requirements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ 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

signed · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HB 180: Revise sanitation in subdivision laws related to mixing zones

HB 180 revises sanitation laws for subdivisions, focusing on "mixing zones" associated with subsurface wastewater treatment systems. The bill prohibits local boards of health from adopting regulations that would allow these mixing zones, which are areas where treated wastewater mixes with groundwater, to extend onto adjacent properties. This measure restricts the regulatory authority of local health boards and aims to protect adjacent property owners from encroachment by neighboring septic systems. It ensures that the environmental impact of such systems remains within the boundaries of the property where they are installed.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill restricts mixing zones of wastewater systems from extending to adjacent properties, preventing potential groundwater contamination and aligning with environmental protection.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

passed both · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HJ 17: Resolution regarding energy

House Joint Resolution 17 is a resolution from the Montana Legislature urging the U.S. Congress and President to take actions to promote American energy production. It calls for reforming and streamlining federal permitting obligations and revising environmental regulations that are deemed not to align with national security interests. The resolution specifically recommends that the Environmental Protection Agency immediately review and potentially suspend, revise, or rescind certain power plant regulations issued in May 2024.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyCalls to reform permitting and environmental regulations to promote energy production, opposing regulatory barriers to fossil fuel development.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentCalls to suspend or revise EPA power plant regulations, weakening environmental protections to prioritize energy production.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

Track

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 285: Generally revise Montana environmental policy act

HB 285 revises the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), clarifying its purpose and impact on state agency actions and permitting decisions. The bill specifies that MEPA is a procedural law designed to provide information to the public and decision-makers, not to grant additional regulatory authority to state agencies. It also shifts the burden of proof for those challenging licensing or permitting decisions, requiring them to establish the unconstitutionality of the underlying statute. Furthermore, legal challenges must now be filed in the county where the proposed activity is located.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill clarifies MEPA as procedural only (not regulatory), removes agency regulatory authority, and shifts burden of proof to challengers, weakening environmental review and permitting challenges.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 664: Repeal numeric nutrient standards

This bill revises Montana's water quality standards by repealing the existing numeric nutrient standards. It directs the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to remove all references to these standards from administrative rules and repeal the specific circular (DEQ-12A) that established them. The bill aims to address the previous standards, which were described as unachievable and burdensome for entities like Montana's municipal wastewater treatment systems. Additionally, it requires the DEQ to update related guidance and policies and eliminates the Nutrient Work Group.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals numeric nutrient standards for water quality, removing regulatory limits on pollutants. Described as 'unachievable and burdensome,' indicating intent to weaken environmental protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 291: Revise laws related to air quality standards

HB 291 limits the ability of Montana's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and local air pollution control programs to set air quality standards stricter than federal requirements. The bill prohibits the DEQ from establishing emission levels or rules more stringent than federal Clean Air Act standards, with exceptions for existing requirements and areas that do not meet national ambient air quality standards. It also revises the process for the DEQ to adopt any rules more stringent than federal guidelines, now only allowing it through emergency rulemaking. Local air pollution control programs are similarly restricted from adopting more stringent rules without specific department approval.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prohibits Montana DEQ from setting air quality standards stricter than federal Clean Air Act, weakening state environmental protections by restricting regulatory authority.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ 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

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