Environment (Conservation)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 2320: Revise local planning board laws

This bill amends Montana law to revise how county planning boards are composed and who can serve on them. It requires that at least one member of a county planning board be a representative from a conservation district or state cooperative grazing district, provided that person lives in the county. Additionally, if a city or town gains representation on the planning board, its council must appoint the additional members. The changes directly affect county commissioners, conservation district officials, and local government representatives by establishing new membership requirements for planning boards.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill requires conservation district representatives on county planning boards, strengthening environmental representation in local planning decisions.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Public Lands

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signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 330: Create auction or lottery licenses for antelope and swans

HB 330 creates a new system for issuing special hunting licenses for antelope and swans. Each year, the state commission may offer one antelope and one swan license through a competitive auction or lottery. Wildlife conservation organizations can be authorized to conduct these events, retaining a small portion of the proceeds to cover expenses. All remaining funds generated from these license sales will be used by the department specifically for the conservation and management of antelope and migratory game birds.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill dedicates auction/lottery proceeds to antelope/swan conservation management, directly funding environmental protection efforts per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 857: Establishing a surcharge for hunters and anglers who lease land

HB 857 proposes to establish a surcharge for hunters and anglers who lease private land for hunting or fishing. Individuals who lease land would be required to declare their lease and pay an additional 10% of their annual lease payment to the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks when purchasing a conservation license. The revenues generated from this surcharge would be specifically used to fund the state's block management program. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the revocation of hunting and fishing privileges for at least five years.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds block management program for fish/wildlife/parks via surcharge, directly supporting conservation of natural resources as stated in summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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died · Montana · Legislature May 22, 2025

LC 536: Transfer sage grouse oversight to DNRC

This bill (LC 536) proposed transferring responsibility for managing sage grouse populations from its current agency to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). If enacted, it would have directly affected state wildlife management practices and the agencies involved in conserving sage grouse habitat. The key provision was shifting oversight authority and management duties to DNRC. However, the bill was canceled in December 2024 and ultimately died in the legislative process on May 22, 2025, so it never became law.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTransferring sage grouse management to DNRC (natural resources agency) directly advances habitat conservation under Environmental Protection, aligning with conservation-focused intent per bill subjects and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 146: Revise hunting license fees to include cranes and swans

HB 146 establishes new hunting license fees for sandhill cranes and swans in Montana. It adds $10 for resident and $50 for nonresident application fees for these species, plus $10 resident/$75 nonresident licenses for cranes and swans (requiring also a $5.50 migratory game bird license). All fees collected for these licenses and applications will fund Montana's wetland conservation efforts through the state special revenue account. The law takes effect March 1, 2026, after being signed by the Governor on April 7, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesNew fees establish dedicated revenue stream for wetland conservation, directly funding a state program through special revenue account.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly directs fees to fund wetland conservation, directly advancing environmental protection through dedicated revenue.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation

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

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 3345: Eliminate reimbursements for hunting or trapping wolves

This bill eliminates reimbursements for costs incurred while hunting or trapping wolves in Montana. It amends Montana Code Annotated 87-6-214 by removing subsection (1)(d), which previously allowed licensed hunters and trappers to be reimbursed for expenses related to wolf hunting or trapping. The change directly affects licensed wolf hunters and trappers by ending state-funded reimbursement for their operational costs. The policy shift aligns with Montana's adherence to wildlife conservation principles that prohibit commercial exchange for harvested wildlife. The amendment takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill eliminates state reimbursements for wolf hunting/trapping, directly aligning with wildlife conservation policies to protect wolf populations under Montana's conservation framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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signed · Montana · House Apr 18, 2025

HB 127: Revise laws related to the fire suppression account

HB 127 revises laws related to Montana's fire suppression account, which funds various activities like fire suppression costs, fuel reduction, and forest restoration. The bill removes a specific date reference, making an annual statutory appropriation for fire preparedness an ongoing allocation from the account. It also establishes new reporting requirements, mandating that the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) submit annual expenditure reports to a legislative committee. These changes affect the DNRC's financial management and legislative oversight of funds used for fire-related activities.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds forest restoration and fire suppression activities, supporting conservation efforts through ongoing appropriations and reporting requirements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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

Sub-Topics Conservation

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

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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