Environment

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 Yes ✗ Opposes 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 Yes ✗ Opposes 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 Yes ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes Environment

Track

signed · Montana · House Apr 18, 2025

HB 127: Revise laws related to the fire suppression account

HB 127 revises laws related to Montana's fire suppression account, which funds various activities like fire suppression costs, fuel reduction, and forest restoration. The bill removes a specific date reference, making an annual statutory appropriation for fire preparedness an ongoing allocation from the account. It also establishes new reporting requirements, mandating that the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) submit annual expenditure reports to a legislative committee. These changes affect the DNRC's financial management and legislative oversight of funds used for fire-related activities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds forest restoration and fire suppression activities, supporting conservation efforts through ongoing appropriations and reporting requirements.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 190: Allow water right holders to consent to waive adverse effects analysis in permit or change applications

SB 190 allows individuals or entities applying for new water use permits or changes to existing water rights to streamline their application process. This is achieved by enabling existing water right holders to voluntarily provide written consent. If consent is given, the applicant is no longer required to prove that their proposed water use will not negatively affect the specific consenting water rights. This change aims to simplify the permit approval process under certain conditions.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves requirement to assess environmental impact of water use changes, weakening protections by bypassing adverse effects analysis for permit approvals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 120: Revise commercial property assessed clean energy laws

HB 120 expands Montana's Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program to include multifamily housing facilities with at least five residential units. This change directly affects property owners and developers of qualifying multifamily buildings (e.g., apartment complexes), allowing them to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades through property assessments. The bill amends definitions to explicitly include these residential properties under the program, covering improvements like insulation, solar panels, and energy-efficient appliances. It maintains the existing financing mechanism where costs are repaid through property taxes over time, without requiring new debt or upfront payments from property owners. The law took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on April 7, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands C-PACE financing for renewable energy and efficiency upgrades in multifamily housing, directly advancing clean energy adoption through property-assessed funding.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands C-PACE program to fund energy efficiency/renewable upgrades in multifamily housing, directly promoting clean energy adoption and reducing emissions per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 55: Provide for legislative intent regarding streamflow information

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.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill affirms legislative intent to support coordinated streamflow data for water management, a natural resource conservation effort under existing environmental laws.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Montana · House Feb 28, 2025

HB 64: Repeal small business compliance assistance council

HB 64 repeals Montana's Small Business Compliance Assistance Advisory Council and removes its references from air quality regulations. The bill amends the duties of a small business stationary source representative, eliminating requirements for them to consult with the now-repealed council. This directly affects Montana small businesses subject to air quality regulations, as the council previously provided input on compliance challenges. The change streamlines the representative's role by removing council-related obligations while keeping their core responsibilities for assisting small businesses with regulatory compliance.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRepeals council providing input on air quality compliance, removing support for small business adherence to environmental regulations.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Montana · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SB 61: Revise laws related to considerations for measuring of streamflow

SB 61 updates Montana's water policy to require accurate, real-time streamflow measurement for determining water availability. It affects water rights holders and state water managers by ensuring new water uses can only be approved when legally and physically available, protecting existing rights. The bill integrates these measurement standards into Montana's existing water law framework under Title 85. This policy change aims to improve the accuracy of water distribution decisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill ensures sustainable water distribution via accurate streamflow measurement, conserving water as a natural resource and preventing overuse that could harm ecosystems, aligning with environmental protection goals.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment