Environment

signed · Montana · House May 14, 2025

HB 587: Revise mine reclamation laws

HB 587 revises existing mine reclamation laws. The bill updates the definition of "material damage" and clarifies the hydrologic and geologic information required for mining permits. It grants rulemaking authority to the Department of Environmental Quality and amends specific sections of state law. These changes impact mining operations by adjusting the regulatory framework and definitions used for reclamation activities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill revises mine reclamation laws to clarify environmental requirements and grants DEQ rulemaking authority, strengthening regulatory oversight for environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 736: Provide nutrient pollutant loading offsets

HB 736 establishes a system for nutrient pollutant loading offsets for facilities holding water quality discharge permits. It allows these permitted dischargers to meet their nutrient discharge limits by reducing nutrient pollution from other sources within the same watershed, including both direct discharge points and diffuse sources. The bill specifies varying offset percentages based on the type and location of the pollution reduction. It directs the state's environmental department to establish statewide offset values for various nonpoint pollution reduction projects, such as riparian fencing or wetlands development, and to amend existing policies to implement these provisions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes system enabling nutrient pollution reduction via offsets, directly targeting water quality protection and pollution control within watersheds.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 703: Exempt GHG emissions analysis for appliances, vehicles, engines

HB 703 exempts specific state and local agencies in Montana from analyzing greenhouse gas emissions during certain environmental reviews. The bill states that the state department and local building departments are no longer required to analyze greenhouse gas emissions from covered appliances when adopting or enforcing building codes. It also exempts the state department from analyzing greenhouse gas emissions from new motor vehicles, engines, and nonroad vehicles, and emissions originating outside the state's borders. The bill cites federal preemption laws as the basis for these exemptions from environmental review.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill removes GHG emissions analysis for appliances/vehicles, weakening environmental standards that would promote cleaner energy products and reduce emissions.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRemoves mandatory GHG emissions analysis for appliances/vehicles, weakening environmental review requirements per bill text95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 855: Establish FWP wildlife highway crossings and accommodation account

House Bill 855 establishes a dedicated funding mechanism for projects aimed at reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions across Montana. It authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Commission to create a specialty license plate, with a $20 donation from its sale and renewal deposited into a new "Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account." Funds in this account, which also accepts gifts and grants, are statutorily appropriated to the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. These funds will be used for the design, construction, maintenance, and study of wildlife crossings and related accommodations on state roadways, improving safety for both drivers and wildlife.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated revenue stream ($20 license plate donations) and statutorily appropriates funds to wildlife safety projects, advancing budget allocation for public services.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wildlife highway crossings to reduce vehicle collisions, conserving wildlife habitats and reducing human-wildlife conflict through dedicated appropriations.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds wildlife highway crossings to reduce vehicle collisions, directly enhancing transportation safety through dedicated infrastructure projects.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 257: Generally revise Smith River permit laws

Senate Bill 257 revises the permit laws for the Smith River waterway. It increases the cost for nonresidents to purchase a bonus point for the Smith River permit lottery from $50 to $125. This change directly affects nonresidents applying for permits to float and camp on the Smith River. The additional revenue generated from these bonus points will be deposited into the Smith River corridor enhancement account, which funds projects to protect and improve the river's natural beauty, recreational values, fisheries, and wildlife habitat.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases nonresident permit fees (tax-like revenue) to fund Smith River corridor projects, directly allocating new revenue to a specific enhancement account.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs increased permit fees to Smith River corridor enhancement account funding projects to protect and improve river's natural beauty and recreation, directly advancing environmental conservation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

vetoed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 676: Generally revise state land and water laws

HB 676 proposes revisions to state laws governing land and water rights. It would eliminate the Water Court's duty to complete water rights adjudication by July 1, 2030, and repeals several related statutes. The bill also prohibits the Board of Land Commissioners from acquiring private water rights for state lands. Additionally, it requires the state to sell isolated land parcels with water rights to their current lessees, impacting water rights holders, the Water Court, and state land management.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentEliminates water rights adjudication deadline and prohibits state acquisition of water rights, reducing regulatory oversight of water resources.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment

Track

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 580: Clarify water right abandonment

HB 580 clarifies Montana's water right abandonment laws, directly affecting individuals and entities holding water rights. The bill specifies that reducing or ceasing the use of a water right during a drought does not automatically signify an intent to abandon that right. This protection applies if the area is experiencing a moderate (D1) or worse drought, or if the nonuse aligns with an official drought plan. The legislation aims to prevent water rights from being lost solely due to conservation efforts during dry periods.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentPrevents automatic abandonment of water rights during droughts when conserving water, supporting environmental conservation efforts by protecting rights tied to sustainable water use during dry periods.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 46: Increase registration fee for underground petroleum tanks

SB 46 revises the annual registration fees for owners and operators of underground petroleum or hazardous substance storage tanks. The bill increases the maximum annual fee for tanks over 1,100 gallons from $108 to $300. For tanks 1,100 gallons or less, the maximum annual fee is raised from $36 to $100. These fees help cover state and local costs associated with implementing the underground storage tank program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases registration fees to fund underground storage tank program costs, generating additional revenue for state fiscal management as stated in summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill increases fees to fund underground tank program, enhancing environmental protection by covering regulatory costs for leak prevention and cleanup.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Environment

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 717: Revise transfer of mining operator to successor

HB 717 revises the process for transferring mining operation permits to successor operators, especially when an original operator has a forfeited bond and fails to complete reclamation. It grants the state's Department the power of eminent domain to acquire surface, mineral, or other property interests within a mining permit boundary under specific conditions. This power can be exercised if the department finds it is in the public interest for taxpayers and environmental protection, and a successor operator is available to take over the permit and complete reclamation. The bill also outlines how compensation is determined in these eminent domain cases, considering factors like reclamation costs and existing liabilities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly authorizes state use of eminent domain for environmental protection when mining reclamation is incomplete, strengthening enforcement of post-mining environmental restoration.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Environment

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 | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Environment