Environment

signed · Montana · House Sep 29, 2025

HB 259: Revise fish and wildlife commission techniques for gray wolf management

HB 259 revises Montana's gray wolf management rules to give the Fish and Wildlife Commission more flexibility in controlling wolf populations. It allows landowners to kill wolves threatening livestock or safety without a hunting license (subject to reporting and annual quotas), expands hunting/trapping on private land at night using thermal/infrared scopes, and permits unlimited wolf harvest in high-population areas. The bill directly affects landowners, hunters, and the Fish and Wildlife Commission, which must implement these changes. Key provisions include new landowner take rules, modified hunting seasons based on regional wolf numbers, and immediate implementation upon enactment.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentAllows unrestricted wolf killing and weakens conservation protections, prioritizing livestock over ecosystem health and biodiversity conservation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

vetoed · Montana · Senate Jul 11, 2025

SB 537: Generally revise marijuana tax laws

SB 537 revises Montana's marijuana tax revenue distribution, directing funds from the marijuana state special revenue account to new and existing state accounts. It requires transferring excess funds annually to specific accounts, including 12% to the HEART account for addiction treatment and mental health programs, 20% to wildlife habitat projects, and 14% to behavioral health initiatives. The bill also allocates funds for law enforcement canine training, sexual assault evidence kits, and homeless shelter support, while modifying existing transfer rules for agencies like the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. These changes apply to all state agencies receiving marijuana tax revenue under Montana law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects marijuana tax revenue to specific public service accounts (12% to addiction treatment, 20% to wildlife, 14% to behavioral health), increasing funding for state programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates 12% to HEART account for addiction treatment and 14% to behavioral health initiatives, directly supporting rehabilitation programs aligned with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates 20% of marijuana tax revenue to wildlife habitat projects, directly funding environmental conservation as specified in bill summary.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates 12% to HEART for addiction/mental health and 14% to behavioral health, directly funding healthcare programs under healthcare topic indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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vetoed · Montana · House Jun 27, 2025

HB 283: Revise laws for hunting licenses lotteries

HB 283 would allow Montana's wildlife commission to issue one male mountain sheep and one male Shiras moose hunting license annually through a lottery or auction, instead of traditional methods. Hunters seeking these licenses would enter the lottery, and any proceeds from sales would fund conservation efforts for these species, with wildlife groups allowed to retain up to 10% of proceeds to cover lottery costs. The bill specifies that all remaining funds must directly benefit mountain sheep and moose management, supplementing existing department budgets. Note: This bill was vetoed by the governor and the legislature failed to override the veto, so it is not currently law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates hunting license proceeds to fund mountain sheep/moose conservation, directly advancing species protection through dedicated funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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signed · Montana · House Jun 17, 2025

HB 368: Generally revise water supply requirements for coal-fired generating units

HB 368 requires operators of coal-fired power plants (over 200 megawatts) in Montana to provide ongoing water access for residential and commercial use to the city or town where the plant is located if the plant closes. It mandates operators maintain water delivery systems until cleanup meets environmental standards, with financial assurance for water supply 30 years after closure. The bill directly affects plant operators and local governments, ensuring continued municipal water access even after plant retirement. Key provisions include revised definitions for "retired" plants, cleanup criteria, and requirements for operators to cover long-term water needs.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates environmental cleanup standards for water systems post-closure, ensuring continued protection and preventing pollution from decommissioned coal plants.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

vetoed · Montana · Senate Jun 12, 2025

SB 472: Revise penalties for violations under 310 permit process

SB 472 removes the previous $250,000 cap on civil penalties for repeated violations of Montana's stream protection rules (under the Natural Streambed and Land Preservation Act). It specifically exempts forest activities that follow state forestry rules from these penalties. The bill affects developers, loggers, or others working in stream zones who violate permit requirements, allowing penalties to grow without limit for ongoing violations. It takes immediate effect upon approval.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRemoves $250k penalty cap for repeated stream protection violations, strengthening enforcement. Exemption for compliant forest activities doesn't weaken overall environmental protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 340: Generally revise laws relating to challenges brought under MEPA

SB 340, introduced by Senator D. Zolnikov, would have revised Montana’s environmental law by adding a $240 fee for filing lawsuits challenging agency decisions under the Montana Environmental Protection Act (MEPA). It would have required plaintiffs to cover agency costs for preparing records, limited follow-up lawsuits to new issues only, and prohibited courts from awarding attorney fees or costs to winning plaintiffs. The bill directed the $240 fee to the state’s environmental rehabilitation account, which funds mine reclamation and hazardous waste cleanup. However, the bill died in committee in May 2025 and never became law.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentAdds $240 fee and barriers to MEPA lawsuits, reducing legal challenges to environmental agency decisions and weakening enforcement.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 304: Revise Montana lakeshore laws

SB 304 revises Montana's Lakeshore Protection Act to strengthen oversight of development near lakes. It directly affects landowners, developers, and contractors working within 20 feet of a lake's mean high-water elevation. Key provisions include requiring stop-work orders for unauthorized construction, mandating financial guarantees (surety bonds) for permits, updating penalties for violations (up to $10,000 fines or 180-day work pauses for repeat offenses), and allowing local governments to place liens on property to cover cleanup costs and fines. The bill also clarifies definitions, such as requiring lakes to be at least 160 acres and navigable by small boats, to determine which water bodies are protected.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentStrengthens lakeshore protection with stricter development oversight, financial guarantees, and increased penalties for violations, directly advancing environmental conservation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 160: Revise alternative energy project laws to require a bond prior to construction

SB 160 requires owners of qualifying wind and solar energy facilities in Montana (solar: 2+ megawatts, wind: 25+ megawatts) to provide a decommissioning bond before construction begins. The bond amount, determined by the Department of Environmental Quality based on the owner's decommissioning plan, ensures funds are available to dismantle facilities and restore land within 24 months after a facility's end of life or abandonment. This applies to new projects and modifies existing requirements for facility owners to submit plans and bonds prior to commercial operation.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires decommissioning bonds for wind/solar projects, ensuring environmental responsibility and long-term sustainability of renewable energy infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires decommissioning bonds for wind/solar projects to ensure land restoration after facility end-of-life, directly protecting environmental resources through financial accountability.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 406: Establishing utility energy conservation efficiency standards

SB 406 would require Montana's investor-owned utilities to implement energy conservation programs achieving at least 1% of their average annual electricity sales in savings by 2026. Utilities must conduct biennial assessments to identify cost-effective conservation opportunities (like efficient appliances, lighting, and grid improvements) and submit plans for commission approval. The law mandates that programs be funded through customer rates, with utilities allowed to recover costs and share in rewards for successful conservation investments. It aims to reduce peak electricity demand, improve grid reliability, and defer costly infrastructure investments without specifying outcomes.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates 1% energy savings by 2026 through utility conservation programs, requiring cost-effective efficiency measures like efficient appliances and grid improvements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 1% energy savings via conservation programs, reducing emissions and promoting efficiency in utility operations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 427: Provide trapping setback distances for certain roads and trails

SB 427 establishes minimum distance requirements for trapping on Montana's public lands near developed areas. It requires trappers to set traps at least 50 feet from roads/trails, 1,000 feet from campgrounds/recreation sites (including boat ramps), and 300 feet from trailheads (with 1,000 feet for lethal traps). The bill directly affects trappers operating on public lands, particularly those near popular recreation areas, and gives the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission authority to adjust these distances in high-use zones. The provisions aim to reduce conflicts between trapping activities and public recreation by creating physical buffers around developed sites.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes setback distances to protect wildlife near recreation areas, aligning with conservation goals by reducing human-wildlife conflict in sensitive zones.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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