| Photo credit: iStock John Pitcher |
This might be the last week for passing bills during the legislative session, so we've got to make these final days count! This week we're prioritizing two bills still in the legislature for you to help us take action on. In addition to those two, we have a number of bills we need your help with to pressure Governor Gianforte to veto.
A lot of bad bills have been getting passed during this session, but we've recently had some major wins!
Last week we helped stop HB 367 which would have enshrined trapping in the state constitution and made hunting, fishing, and trapping by citizens as the primary method for managing Montana's wild fish and wildlife populations.
We also managed to help stop SB 379, the extremely bad Colstrip bill that would have cost ratepayers more than $1 billion to keep Colstrip Unit 4 operating indefinitely.
For other bills we're following, please check out our bill tracker page. Also, check out our citizen lobbying guide for more links and information, including how to find and contact your senator or representative, and our virtual lobby toolkit to find background information and step-by-step guidance for actions to take on some of our highest priority bills! |
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Help Us Stop These Bills in the Legislature
HB 695: Generally revise environmental laws - OPPOSE
Although we managed to stop SB 379 last week, legislators incorporated parts of that bill that will eliminate the Public Service Commission's ability to protect customers from higher electricity bills into HB 695. This bill also prohibits Montana from denying the development of nuclear facilities if the federal government does not have a safe location for the nuclear waste. This amended bill just passed out of committee and is up for a floor vote in the senate!
- Call (406) 444 - 4800 or CLICK HERE to leave a message for your senator urging them to vote no on HB 695
HB 693: Implement provisions of HB2 - Section D- Judiciary, Law Enforcement and Justice - OPPOSE
This bill was recently amended to add a section requiring the attorney general to investigate environmental organizations. CLICK HERE to read more from MEIC. This bill just passed out of the Senate and is on its way to the House!
- Call (406) 444 - 4800 or CLICK HERE to leave a message for your representative urging them to vote no on HB 693
Tell Gianforte to Veto These Bills
These bills have all either passed out of the legislature or are about to be passed. Call Governor Gianforte at (406) 444 - 3111 or email him at governor@mt.gov and urge him to veto these bills!
Energy and Climate Bills HB 475, HB 476, and SB 237 all seek to weaken or repeal Montana's renewable energy standard. CLICK HERE to sign on to a multi-coalition petition urging Gianforte to veto these bills. HB 481: Protect Critical Infrastructure is an attack on our first amendment right to protest against pipelines and other polluting infrastructure and severely increases penalties on those engaged in or even affiliated with civil disobedience. Find out more about this bill on our fact sheet for HB 481.
SB 201: Revise avoided cost rate-making allows NorthWestern Energy to avoid purchasing renewable electricity from solar, storage, and wind energy developers, particularly harming small renewable energy producers. You can find out more about this bill on our fact sheet for SB 201.
SB 257: Prohibit local governments from imposing carbon penalties, fees, or taxes is designed to stop local governments from imposing carbon taxes. However, this vaguely worded bill could prevent local governments from enacting any ordinance or policy that regulates carbon, severely limiting local governments' ability to fight climate change.
- In addition to calling Gianforte, CLICK HERE to urge your local government officials to pressure Governor Gianforte to veto these bills.
- You can find out more about this bill on our fact sheet for SB 257.
Wildlife Bills HB 302 and HB 318 are anti-bison bills designed to limit and prevent bison restoration efforts across the state. Check out this blog post written by our intern Gabby to learn more about the cultural, ecological, and climate benefits of bison restoration.
SB 314: Revise laws related to wolf harvest will decimate Montana's wolves by establishing hunting and trapping seasons with the express intent of reducing the wolf population to just 15 breeding pairs. Montana’s wolf population is currently estimated at 830 wolves. If this bill passes, it will reduce the wolf population from 830 to approximately 150 wolves.
HB 468 allows hound hunting and chase seasons for black bears.
SB 98 and SB 337 target grizzly bears. SB 98 will make it easier to kill grizzly bears on private property while SB 337 restricts relocations of grizzly bears only to sites approved by the Fish and Wildlife Commission.
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If you find these alerts, our social media, or Chapter website useful during this legislative session, please consider giving a non-deductible donation now to support our work. The financial implications of COVID have stretched the Montana Chapter’s ability to continue its current level of service without your help.
Any gift makes a difference. Donate at the link at the bottom of the page or send a check to P.O. Box 7201, Missoula, MT 59807.
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Thank you for every action you take to defend our lands, water, wildlife, and climate.
With gratitude,
Your Montana Chapter Legislative Team
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