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.
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.
House Bill 466 amends the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) by formally defining and allowing state agencies to identify "categorical exclusions." These exclusions are actions determined to have no significant impact on the human environment and are therefore exempt from requiring an environmental analysis or impact statement. The bill also provides specific exemptions from MEPA review for activities such as building construction by the Department of Administration and historic preservation grants by the Department of Commerce. State agencies are required to track and report their use of these categorical exclusions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
