Environment

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SJ 14: Resolution to release federal wilderness study areas

Montana's SJ 14 is a state legislative resolution requesting the federal government release over 660,000 acres of designated wilderness study areas from consideration for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. It specifically targets seven Montana wilderness study areas (including West Pioneer, Sapphire, and Big Snowies) and 37 Bureau of Land Management wilderness study areas that have remained in legal limbo since the 1977 Montana Wilderness Study Act. The resolution argues these lands are hindering multiple-use management (like timber harvesting and agriculture) and causing federal management uncertainty, and asks for their formal release to allow standard federal land management under the National Forest Management Act. The resolution was tabled in committee and died in process in 2025, so it has not become law.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill seeks to release wilderness study areas from federal preservation, removing conservation protections and enabling potential development on protected lands.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 349: Declare authority over existing fossil-fuel fired electric generating units

SB 349 would have transferred authority over air and water quality regulations for existing fossil fuel power plants in Montana from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), making DEQ the sole permitting authority for these facilities. It claims federal EPA rules lack authority to restrict plant operations without requiring "significant economic investment" from plant owners and utilities. The bill includes a contingency that would void it if the EPA repeals two specific 2024 rules (89 Fed. Reg. 38508 and 39798). This bill died in committee in May 2025 and never became law.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill transfers EPA regulatory authority for fossil fuel plants to state, claiming federal rules require "significant economic investment". This weakens federal environmental oversight, favoring fossil fuel operations over clean energy transition.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill transfers EPA environmental authority to state DEQ, claiming federal rules require costly investments. This weakens federal oversight for fossil fuel plants, reducing regulatory burden and likely increasing pollution.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 294: Requiring public utilities to report a plan for 100% renewables

SB 294 requires Montana's public utilities (like electricity providers) to create a detailed plan by May 2026 showing how they will source 100% of their retail electricity from renewable energy (including hydroelectric power) and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The plan must outline specific options, timelines, and challenges for achieving these goals, aligning with Montana's constitutional duty to protect the environment. Utilities must submit these plans to the Energy and Telecommunications Interim Committee by June 2026, which will review them, gather public input, and recommend changes to the next legislature. The bill takes immediate effect upon passage but is currently inactive after dying in committee.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates utilities to develop 100% renewable energy plans by 2026, advancing clean energy transition and environmental protection per bill's explicit requirements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates 100% renewable energy plans, reduces emissions, aligns with constitutional environmental duty per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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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 Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 460: Generally revise gravel pit laws

SB 460 would have required Montana's Department of Environmental Quality to ensure protection of surface and groundwater from open-cut mining operations. The bill amended state law to specifically mandate the department adopt rules for permits, records, and inspections, and to enforce water quality and quantity standards during mining activities. This would directly affect open-cut mining operations statewide by imposing new regulatory requirements on their water protection measures. The bill did not advance beyond committee and died in the 2025 legislative session.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates DEQ to enforce water quality standards for mining, requiring new rules to protect groundwater/surface water from open-cut mining operations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

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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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 176: Require unlimited wolf hunting quota when population is at or above 450 wolves

House Bill 176 (HB 176) revises Montana's wolf hunting laws, primarily affecting the Fish and Wildlife Commission, wolf hunters, trappers, and landowners. The bill mandates an unlimited statewide gray wolf hunting quota when the state's wolf population reaches or exceeds 450 wolves. Under this quota, the Commission must authorize multiple hunting licenses per applicant, allow an individual to harvest an unlimited number of wolves, permit the use of bait for hunting or trapping, and allow night hunting on private lands with artificial light or night vision scopes. It also requires consistent data modeling for wolf population estimates.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill removes population limits on wolf hunting, weakening conservation protections for an ecosystem keystone species per Fish and Wildlife subjects.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ 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 258: Requiring the extension of wolf hunting season

House Bill 258 (HB 258) aimed to revise laws concerning wolf hunting in Montana. The bill would have required the Fish and Wildlife Commission to authorize an annual wolf hunting season. Its main provision was to extend this wolf hunting season to conclude concurrently with the spring bear hunting season, allowing for specific regional adjustments by the commission. This legislation would have directly impacted wolf hunters and the state's wildlife management policies for wolves.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExtends wolf hunting season, potentially reducing wolf populations and weakening conservation efforts for a protected species under environmental protection policies.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Environment

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 935: Limits to Fox Hills-Hell Creek aquifer withdrawals

HB 935 allows the department to temporarily suspend or close new permit applications for large groundwater appropriations (3,000 gallons per minute or more) from specific areas within the Fox Hills-Hell Creek aquifer. This action aims to balance water development with the protection of existing water rights. The bill also mandates the Bureau of Mines and Geology to conduct a feasibility study on groundwater availability in these areas. It appropriates $5,000 for this study, and the act's provisions are set to terminate on June 30, 2027.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRestricts large groundwater withdrawals to protect aquifer (natural resource) and mandates study for sustainable management, aligning with conservation goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment