Environment

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 10, 2025

LC 1858: Revise Montana lakeshore laws

This bill revises Montana's lakeshore protection laws to clarify definitions and strengthen enforcement for unauthorized work near lakes. It directly affects property owners, contractors, and local governments by establishing clearer rules for what constitutes a lake and lakeshore, requiring permits for construction activities, and allowing local authorities to issue stop-work orders. Key provisions include a 90-day timeline for permit decisions, the ability to require surety bonds to cover potential restoration costs, and new penalties that can include fines up to $10,000 for repeat offenders, jail time, and property liens for unpaid restoration costs. The bill also encourages cooperation between multiple governing bodies that share jurisdiction over the same lake.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill strengthens lakeshore protection laws, clarifies definitions, and enhances enforcement for unauthorized work near lakes, directly advancing environmental conservation and water protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Water Quality

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 28, 2025

LC 220: Exempt Commerce grants and loans from MEPA

This bill exempts various Montana state departments and commissions from environmental review requirements when creating or administering specific grant and loan programs. It directly affects agencies responsible for economic development, housing, tourism, and cultural preservation by removing the need for environmental assessments under the Montana Environmental Policy Act for these activities. The exemption covers programs related to microbusiness development, historic preservation, workforce training, agritourism, housing financing, and other economic initiatives, allowing these agencies to proceed without the standard environmental review process. The law also requires notifying federally recognized tribal governments and takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill removes environmental review requirements under MEPA for state grants and loans, weakening environmental protections and allowing projects without environmental assessments.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Recycling

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 22, 2025

LC 1951: Prohibit motorboats and motorized watercraft on Class 2 waters

This bill prohibits the use of motorboats and personal watercraft on Class II waters in Montana, affecting public access to these designated waterways. The key provision adds a new restriction to existing state law that specifically bans motorized watercraft on Class II waters, while maintaining public rights to non-motorized recreation like kayaking or canoeing. The legislation also clarifies that public recreational use of Class II waters does not include overnight camping, big game hunting, or placing seasonal objects without landowner permission. Additionally, the bill requires the state commission to adopt rules for managing recreational use of Class I and II waters, including procedures for requesting restrictions and identifying waters with limited recreational capacity.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentProhibiting motorboats on Class II waters reduces pollution and protects aquatic ecosystems, aligning with environmental conservation goals.85% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationBill restricts motorized watercraft on Class II waters, limiting transportation options for recreational boating and reducing access to waterways.85% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 2203: Revise fines related to aquatic invasive species

This bill increases fines for illegally transporting aquatic invasive species in Montana and updates penalty structures for different types of violations. It directly affects individuals who transport or introduce invasive species into state waters, including boaters and anglers. The key changes raise maximum fines for negligent violations from $500 to $1,000 for first offenses and from $750 to $1,500 for subsequent offenses, while increasing fines for intentional violations from $975 to $1,950. Additionally, the bill maintains provisions allowing courts to confiscate fishing licenses and vessel decals for intentional violations, and establishes a felony penalty with up to two years in prison and fines up to $10,000 for knowingly attempting to introduce invasive species.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill increases fines for illegally transporting aquatic invasive species, strengthening environmental protections and conserving natural resources by deterring harmful introductions.90% confidence

Track

passed · Montana · House Feb 10, 2025

HR 2: Resolution supporting the exploration development, processing and refining of critical minerals

This Montana House resolution (HR 2) expresses legislative support for expanding critical minerals development within the state. It urges state, federal, tribal, and local entities to advance exploration, processing, and recycling of minerals like rare earth elements, platinum group metals, and others found in Montana's geology. The resolution highlights Montana's existing mining infrastructure and aims to strengthen domestic supply chains for technologies, energy, and defense - reducing reliance on foreign sources like China. As a symbolic resolution (not binding law), it directs Montana's delegation to advocate for these projects but does not create new regulations or funding.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly supports critical minerals development for energy supply chains, aligning with renewable energy infrastructure needs as stated in its summary.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prioritizes mining development without environmental safeguards, advancing industry over conservation and pollution control in mineral extraction.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Recycling

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vetoed · Montana · Senate Jul 11, 2025

SB 537: Generally revise marijuana tax laws

SB 537 revises Montana's marijuana tax revenue distribution, directing funds from the marijuana state special revenue account to new and existing state accounts. It requires transferring excess funds annually to specific accounts, including 12% to the HEART account for addiction treatment and mental health programs, 20% to wildlife habitat projects, and 14% to behavioral health initiatives. The bill also allocates funds for law enforcement canine training, sexual assault evidence kits, and homeless shelter support, while modifying existing transfer rules for agencies like the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. These changes apply to all state agencies receiving marijuana tax revenue under Montana law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects marijuana tax revenue to specific public service accounts (12% to addiction treatment, 20% to wildlife, 14% to behavioral health), increasing funding for state programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates 12% to HEART account for addiction treatment and 14% to behavioral health initiatives, directly supporting rehabilitation programs aligned with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates 20% of marijuana tax revenue to wildlife habitat projects, directly funding environmental conservation as specified in bill summary.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates 12% to HEART for addiction/mental health and 14% to behavioral health, directly funding healthcare programs under healthcare topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Drug Policy Violent Crime Wildlife Substance Abuse

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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 564: Require mandatory reporting of deer and elk hunting activity

HB 564 would have required individuals holding deer or elk hunting licenses to report their hunting activity to the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks for each animal during the license year. Hunters who reported by February 15 could choose to receive one bonus point for either a deer or elk. Conversely, those who failed to report by the end of the license year would be assessed an administrative fee ranging from $5 to $50, payable before purchasing a new base hunting license. The bill also directed the department to develop a system for collecting these mandatory reports and defined "hunting activity" to include harvest success, locations, and dates.

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates wildlife activity reporting for sustainable management, aligning with conservation and natural resource protection under Fish and Wildlife subjects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 222: Creating open wolf hunting season until the population is 600 or fewer

HB 222 proposed creating a year-round open wolf hunting season in Montana. This season would have an unlimited quota, meaning there would be no limit on the number of wolves that could be hunted. The hunting season would continue until the statewide wolf population reached 600 or fewer, at which point it could be closed. The bill aimed to amend existing state law to mandate that the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission authorize this specific wolf hunting season.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill mandates unrestricted wolf hunting to reduce population below conservation levels, directly opposing wildlife protection efforts and conservation requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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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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