Environment

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 9, 2025

LC 2548: Require unlimited wolf hunting quota when population is at or above 450 wolves

This bill requires Montana's Fish and Wildlife Commission to implement an unlimited statewide wolf hunting quota when the gray wolf population reaches 450 or more. Under this provision, hunters and trappers could legally harvest an unlimited number of wolves, use bait for hunting, and hunt on private land at night with artificial light or night vision equipment. The legislation also mandates consistent data modeling methods for counting wolf populations and allows landowners to take wolves threatening safety or livestock without a hunting license, subject to annual quotas.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill allows unlimited wolf hunting, use of bait, and night hunting, which weakens wildlife conservation and environmental protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 28, 2025

LC 1302: Create auction or lottery licenses for antelope and swans

This bill allows Montana's wildlife commission to sell licenses for antelope and swans through either a competitive auction or a lottery system. The legislation permits wildlife conservation organizations focused on these species to conduct the sales if authorized, allowing them to keep up to 10% of proceeds to cover expenses. All remaining funds from these sales must be used by the state department to benefit antelope and migratory game bird management programs, separate from existing funding sources. The bill also gives the commission authority to create rules governing how these licenses are issued and how the auctions or lotteries are conducted.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds wildlife conservation programs for antelope and migratory game birds, supporting environmental protection and natural resource management.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 19, 2025

LC 3478: Allow correction of minor maintenance items at mines

This bill allows Montana mine operators to correct minor maintenance issues without facing immediate operational shutdowns. It creates a new "minor maintenance correction letter" process that gives permittees 30 days to fix violations that do not pose imminent safety risks or significant environmental harm. The bill clarifies that these minor issues do not require public hearings or cessation orders, streamlining the enforcement process for low-risk violations while maintaining stricter requirements for serious safety or environmental breaches.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill weakens environmental enforcement by allowing minor violations without immediate shutdowns, reducing regulatory oversight on mining operations.75% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 25, 2025

LC 3515: Generally revise zoning laws to prohibit the construction of wind generation facilities.

This bill amends Montana zoning laws to prohibit local governments from allowing the construction of wind generation facilities within their jurisdictions. By modifying Section 7-1-111 of the Montana Code Annotated, the legislation removes the ability of cities and counties to approve or permit wind energy projects through their zoning authority. The change directly affects municipal planning departments, developers seeking to build wind farms, and communities that previously could have permitted such facilities. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage, preventing any pending wind project approvals from moving forward under the new restrictions.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill explicitly prohibits construction of wind generation facilities, directly restricting renewable energy development in Montana.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prohibits wind generation facilities, which are clean energy sources that reduce emissions and protect the environment by limiting renewable energy development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wind

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 18, 2025

LC 3715: Provide funding for grizzly bear management

This bill allocates $210,000 from the general license account to Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to hire two full-time bear technicians for Region 3, which covers southwest Montana. The funding is intended to help the agency manage conflicts between expanding grizzly bear populations and increasing human development in the area. The money will supplement existing base funding and is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2025, with the legislature planning for the 2027 appropriation to become part of future base funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $210,000 from general license account to fund grizzly bear management and hire bear technicians, directly supporting state wildlife management programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates funding for grizzly bear management and conservation, directly supporting wildlife protection and environmental preservation efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 10, 2024

LC 534: Revise liability, training for prescribed fires

This bill creates a certification program for prescribed fire managers in Montana and limits their liability when conducting controlled burns. It requires individuals who manage prescribed fires to complete training covering safety, weather, fire behavior, and other relevant topics, while allowing the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation to set rules for certification, fees, and standards. The legislation provides legal protection for certified managers and compliant landowners from liability for wildfires, except in cases of negligence or when their actions directly caused the fire to spread. Additionally, the bill mandates written permits for all prescribed fires and expands permit requirements to include slash-burning and land-clearing fires during wildfire season, while exempting small recreational fires under specific conditions.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental protection by requiring certified training for prescribed fire managers, reducing wildfire risk and promoting safer forest management practices.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Forestry

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 14, 2025

LC 3841: Generally revise Montana environmental policy act to implement court decision

This bill amends Montana's Environmental Policy Act to comply with a state Supreme Court ruling, requiring state agencies to evaluate greenhouse gas emissions in environmental reviews. It removes previous language that prohibited considering greenhouse gases and mandates that agencies analyze alternatives to proposed projects, including a meaningful no-action alternative that assesses environmental, social, and economic impacts if a project is not completed. The changes also require agencies to examine how regulations affect private property rights and ensure that environmental assessments include customer fiscal impact analyses where applicable. These provisions apply to all state agencies except the legislature and affect the process for reviewing state-sponsored projects that could impact Montana's environment.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill requires evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions and mandates analysis of alternatives including no-action options, advancing environmental protection and clean energy considerations.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental protections by requiring greenhouse gas emissions evaluation and meaningful alternatives analysis in environmental reviews.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 20, 2025

LC 4189: Generally revise laws related to the unlawful harassment of wild animals

This bill amends Montana laws to strengthen penalties for using vehicles or devices to harass, harm, or kill wild animals such as game animals, game birds, fur-bearing animals, and predatory animals. It prohibits activities like chasing, flushing, or tormenting these animals with motorized vehicles, aircraft, or snow machines, while allowing exceptions for landowners protecting property and individuals following lawful hunting or wildlife management practices. The legislation increases fines and potential prison time for violations, with harsher penalties for repeat offenses, and mandates the forfeiture of hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses for a set period depending on the severity and frequency of the violation.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens penalties for unlawful harassment of wild animals, enhancing criminal justice enforcement and protection of wildlife through increased fines and stricter regulations.75% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens penalties for harassing wild animals and protects wildlife populations, directly supporting environmental conservation and natural resource protection.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 24, 2025

LC 4171: Generally revise the Montana environmental policy act

This bill requires state agencies in Montana to conduct greenhouse gas assessments for proposed fossil fuel projects as part of their environmental reviews under the Montana Environmental Policy Act. The legislation clarifies that while agencies cannot deny permits based on greenhouse gas emissions, they must still analyze these emissions for fossil fuel activities to inform the public about potential impacts. The bill amends existing environmental review statutes to mandate this analysis for fossil fuel projects while maintaining that greenhouse gases will not be regulated through this process. State agencies conducting environmental reviews will follow updated guidelines that specify when greenhouse gas assessments are required versus optional.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill requires greenhouse gas assessments for fossil fuel projects, promoting transparency and environmental protection while not restricting energy development.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens environmental review by requiring greenhouse gas assessments for fossil fuel projects, enhancing public awareness of climate impacts while maintaining regulatory oversight.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Climate Change Recycling

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 28, 2025

LC 1513: Revise laws related to public charging stations for electric vehicles

This bill updates Montana laws to regulate public charging stations for electric vehicles by establishing clear definitions, tax requirements, and metering standards. It directly affects charging station operators, owners, and public utilities by requiring new stations to have separate electric meters starting in 2023 and mandating that all existing public charging stations be metered by 2025. The legislation also introduces a 3-cent per kilowatt-hour tax on electricity used at public charging stations and requires operators to display charging rates at their sites. Additionally, the bill reduces electric vehicle registration fees by 30% beginning in 2028 and requires charging station owners to register their facilities with the Department of Transportation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill introduces new tax revenue through EV charging fees, strengthening state budget capacity for infrastructure development.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes electric vehicle charging infrastructure, supports renewable energy adoption, and establishes metering standards for public EV charging stations.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill promotes electric vehicle infrastructure and clean energy adoption through charging station regulations and metering requirements, supporting environmental protection goals.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes infrastructure standards for EV charging stations, promoting sustainable transportation and modernizing public charging infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Electric Vehicles Vehicle Registration

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