| Photo credit: iStock John Pitcher |
Sine Die! Last Thursday was the final day for the legislative session. This session has been particularly rough for wildlife, the environment, voting rights, and LGBTQ rights. Thankfully, last week we managed a couple wins.
We helped defeat a last-minute amendment to HB 693 that would have mandated an investigation of environmental organizations in Montana. We also helped stop HB 695, which would have eliminated the Public Service Commission's ability to protect customers from higher electricity bills.
But our work isn't done yet! We still need your help to get Governor Gianforte to veto as many bad bills as possible! If you’re considering writing a letter to the editor to oppose some of the bills the governor has yet to sign, check out these tips on writing LTE’s and Op-Eds. |
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Tell Gianforte to Veto These Bills
Call Governor Gianforte at (406) 444 - 3111 or email him at governor@mt.gov and urge him to veto these bills!
An Attack on Nonprofits SB 278: Generally revise civil liability law passed with last-minute amendments that seek to prevent or limit charitable organizations from using legal fees to challenge or support government actions. The bill also forces charitable organizations to disclose all donations from the past year, as well as the names and addresses of donors from the past year. Energy and Climate Bills HB 481: Protect critical infrastructure targets protestors (and organizations who support them) at pipelines and other energy infrastructure sites by dramatically increasing the penalties for peaceful protest and trespass. Find out more about this bill on our fact sheet for HB 481. SB 399: Generally revise and simplify income taxes gets rid of the state's alternative energy systems tax credit and the energy conservation tax credit that make it more affordable for Montanans to pursue rooftop solar and invest in energy efficiency.
HB 188: Generally revise electric vehicle laws and fees creates the highest registration fees for electric vehicles in the country.
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. You can find out more about this bill on our fact sheet for SB 257.
Wildlife Bills HB 318: Clarify definition of bison is an anti-bison bill designed to limit and prevent bison restoration efforts across the state by severely restricting which bison can be considered wild. You can find out more about this bill on our fact sheet for HB 318.
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.
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.
Protect Our Rivers and Streams
SB 358: Repeal numeric nutrient standards for water quality eliminates DEQ’s numeric nutrient standards that limit nutrients in Montana’s waterways and help protect us and the environment from harmful algal growth. You can read the multi-organization veto letter that we signed onto by clicking here.
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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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