Environment

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 473: Prohibit weather modification.

SB 473 prohibits most weather modification activities in Montana, specifically banning large-scale "geoengineering" projects like spraying particles into the atmosphere to alter climate (e.g., stratospheric aerosol injection or marine cloud brightening). It exempts established cloud seeding practices used for agriculture and snowmaking under existing law (85-3-101 through 85-3-424). The bill directly affects researchers, companies, or entities conducting weather-altering experiments within Montana’s borders. Key provisions ban intentionally releasing chemicals or devices for weather control, temperature modification, or sunlight intensity changes, except for permitted cloud seeding. The law takes immediate effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBans large-scale geoengineering (e.g., stratospheric aerosol injection) that could alter climate, protecting environment from untested interventions while exempting existing agricultural practices.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 57: Designate quail as upland game bird

HB 57 would amend Montana law to officially include California quail and Gambel's quail in the state's definition of "upland game birds" under Section 87-2-101, MCA. This change would directly affect hunters and wildlife managers by adding these quail species to the list of birds subject to regulated hunting seasons, bag limits, and conservation practices already applied to birds like pheasants and grouse. The bill specifically updates the legal definition without altering hunting seasons or regulations, ensuring these quail would be managed under existing upland game bird frameworks. The bill was introduced by request of the Environmental Quality Council but died in process on May 22, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill formalizes quail conservation under existing wildlife management, aligning with conservation practices for upland game birds like pheasants and grouse.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 71: Revise special license requirements allowing second lion license and removing Tendoy sheep reporting

HB 71 revises Montana hunting rules by allowing hunters to obtain more than one mountain lion license in a single license year, removing a previous restriction that limited hunters to one lion license per year. It also eliminates mandatory reporting requirements for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks regarding harvests and tissue sampling from the Tendoy mountain sheep herd. These changes directly affect hunters seeking mountain lion licenses and the wildlife department’s reporting obligations. The bill amends Section 87-2-702 of Montana law to reflect these policy adjustments, focusing on simplifying licensing and reducing administrative reporting burdens.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves mandatory wildlife harvest reporting, weakening data-driven conservation for mountain lions and Tendoy sheep populations.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 660: Require rules to limit GHG emissions

HB 660, titled "Require rules to limit GHG emissions," would have mandated the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to develop specific rules for limiting greenhouse gas emissions. This bill sought to amend existing state law (Section 75-2-112, MCA) by requiring the DEQ to create regulations to protect public health, safety, welfare, and the environment from these emissions. The legislation directly affects the DEQ by expanding its regulatory responsibilities to include greenhouse gases.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates DEQ to create rules limiting GHG emissions, directly advancing environmental protection and reducing fossil fuel dependence in energy policy.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates DEQ to develop rules limiting GHG emissions, directly strengthening environmental regulations to protect public health and environment per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 630: Require legislative approval of greenhouse gas rules

HB 630 requires that certain rules established by state departments, commissions, boards, or local authorities are not effective unless approved by the legislature. Specifically, any rules related to the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions or the calculation and application of the social cost of carbon must receive legislative approval at the next legislative session. This mechanism affects agencies that issue such environmental regulations, including those pertaining to the operation of motor vehicles. The bill ensures that the legislature has final say over these specific types of administrative rules.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRequires legislative approval for greenhouse gas regulations, delaying or blocking environmental rules that advance clean energy standards and emissions reduction efforts.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRequires legislative approval for greenhouse gas rules, adding barriers to environmental regulation implementation and weakening agency authority on emissions standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 101: Reclassify wolves as furbearers and align existing wolf tagging and furbearer hunting restrictions

HB 101 reclassifies gray wolves as furbearers, integrating them into existing furbearer hunting and trapping regulations. The bill establishes specific wolf hunting licenses for residents and nonresidents, outlining associated fees and tagging requirements for harvested wolves. It introduces new management provisions, allowing for more liberal harvest opportunities such as multiple licenses per individual, the use of bait for trapping, and night hunting on private lands. Additionally, the bill permits landowners to take wolves threatening human safety, livestock, or dogs on their property without a license under specific reporting requirements and a quota.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentReclassifies wolves as furbearers, enabling increased hunting/trapping (multiple licenses, baiting, night hunting), weakening conservation protections for a species often requiring protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 229: Generally revise Montana environmental policy act to Implement court decision

HB 229 aimed to revise the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) to implement a Montana Supreme Court decision. The bill would have removed the prohibition on state agencies evaluating greenhouse gas emissions during environmental reviews for projects. It also sought to clarify MEPA's purpose, focusing on public information and considering environmental impacts, while setting criteria for analyzing project alternatives and potential impacts on private property rights. This would have affected how state agencies conduct environmental assessments and the scope of information considered for state-sponsored projects in Montana.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves prohibition on evaluating greenhouse gas emissions in environmental reviews, enabling consideration of climate impacts per court decision, strengthening MEPA's environmental review process.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 923: Revise categorical exclusions from nondegradation authorization

HB 923 directs the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to amend its administrative rules by January 1, 2026. This amendment will create a new categorical exclusion from nondegradation authorization requirements. This exclusion applies to areas where a county commission demonstrates it has prohibited drinking water wells and ensures absorption trenches are at least 1,000 feet from downstream high-quality surface waters. The bill also appropriates $10,000 to the DEQ to implement these rule changes and provide guidance.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentCreates categorical exclusion from nondegradation rules, reducing regulatory requirements for water protection near development sites.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 684: Eliminate deadline for water quality data review

HB 684 eliminates a specific deadline that previously required the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to review data used for water quality assessments. This bill amends Section 75-5-702, MCA, removing the requirement for the DEQ to complete these data reviews within a set timeframe. This change primarily affects the DEQ's operational procedures for monitoring state waters and assessing their quality, as well as individuals and entities who submit water quality data for review.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentEliminates mandatory deadline for DEQ water quality data reviews, weakening oversight and environmental accountability procedures.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 55: Revising public utility resource planning laws

HB 55 revises the laws governing how public utilities plan for their customers' future energy needs. It requires public utilities to submit detailed resource plans every three years, including evaluations of renewable energy and demand-side management scenarios, and to hold more public meetings before submitting these plans. The bill establishes a special revenue account within the Department of Environmental Quality to fund an independent evaluator, paid for by fees charged to public utilities, who will assist in reviewing these plans. Additionally, the state commission can now engage independent consultants to evaluate utility plans, with these costs being recoverable in rates charged to customers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes special revenue account funded by utility fees to support independent evaluation, directly advancing fiscal oversight under appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates evaluation of renewable energy scenarios and demand-side management in utility planning, advancing renewable integration and efficiency standards.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires renewable energy evaluations in utility plans and funds DEQ independent evaluator via utility fees, advancing clean energy planning and environmental oversight.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment