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duties of a small business stationary source representative, eliminating requirements for them to consult with the now-repealed council.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

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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

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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

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Sales Tax Conservation Tags Agriculture

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

Sub-Topics Air Quality

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

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

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 209: Revise term length of conservation easements

SB 209 limits conservation easements to a maximum term of 40 years (previously allowing perpetual terms), amending Montana law to require renewal for additional periods. It directly affects landowners who use conservation easements, prohibiting restrictions on agricultural activities for lands used for farming within the past decade and banning land conversion to federal control under such easements. Key provisions include revising definitions of "conservation easement" and "open-space land," and ensuring property tax assessments reflect the land's restricted use without lowering valuation. The bill does not change existing permitted easement restrictions (like limiting construction or development) but adds specific protections for agricultural use and landowner control.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentLimits conservation easements to 40 years (vs perpetual), prohibits agricultural restrictions, and bans federal land conversion, weakening long-term environmental protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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passed both · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HJ 34: Resolution supporting Montana's beef producers

HJ 34 is a Joint Resolution from the Montana Legislature expressing strong support for Montana's beef producers, recognizing their vital role in the state's economy and culture. It calls on state and federal governments to prioritize policies that ensure fair market conditions, reduce regulatory burdens, and facilitate better trade relationships for Montana beef. The resolution encourages sustainable beef production practices and opposes federal or state proposals, such as those associated with the Green New Deal, that would impose excessive regulations or taxes on the industry. Additionally, it strongly opposes the promotion, production, and sale of lab-grown "meat" as a substitute for natural beef.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill opposes federal/state proposals (likely environmental regulations) and seeks to reduce regulatory burdens on beef producers, prioritizing industry over environmental protections.85% confidence

Tags Agriculture

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