Legislative Action Alert: February 22, 2021
Join us on ZOOM for a Live Online Legislative Briefing, Thursday, February 25 from 5-6 pm.
Learn about the issues and about how you can help us lobby these bills. We will show you exactly how to participate in a remote session. February is a valuable time to participate so please join us and make your voices heard!
2.25.2021 register here
HB 382- Generally revise the use of exploding targets
Status- On the House Floor- 2nd reading
Montana Audubon Position– Support
HB 382 would prohibit the use of exploding targets on state lands and water during when dangerous fire conditions exist as declared by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. In the past exploding targets have caused major wildfires across the state causing millions in damage and tax money, this simple and proactive bill would help prevent unnecessary wildfires from occurring.
Action!
Find your local House Representative and Contact them to vote YES on HB 382.
SB 267- Authorize reimbursement for wolf trapping and hunting
Status- First hearing 02/25/2021; 3:00 PM, Rm 422
Montana Audubon Position- Oppose
This bill allows wolf hunters and trappers to be reimbursed for costs incurred while hunting and trapping wolves. It allows the reimbursement of receipts for the costs and amounts to a bounty on wolves. No other wildlife harvest community expects or requests such fringe benefits.
Action!
- Sign up to testify by 12pm on 2/24 HERE.
- Follow the steps below to contact the Senate Fish and Game Committee HERE.
- Fill out the form provided.
- Select Committees (You may have to scroll down to find this)
- Select (S) Fish and Game
- Select Bill Type (SB) and Bill Number 267
- Select Against
- Provide your message, making sure to personalize with your name, hometown and one sentence about your background and concern.
HB 468- Allowing hound hunting and chase seasons for black bears
Status- First hearing, 02/23/2021; 3:00 PM, Rm 172
Montana Audubon Position– Oppose
HB 468 would allow hound hunting and a chase season for black bears. This bill would result in only a month of time when black bears are out of hibernation and not hunted or harassed. We have a successful black bear hunting season and it’s a bill for one small group of people who want a special season. As always, legislating hunting seasons into statute is not a good practice.
Action!
Follow the steps below to contact the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee HERE.
- Fill out the form provided.
- Select Committees (You may have to scroll down to find this)
- Select (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
- Select Bill Type (HB) and Bill Number 468
- Select Against
- Provide your message, making sure to personalize with your name, hometown and one sentence about your background and concern.
HB 352- Revise laws related to conservation easements
Status- Hearing on 2/16. Executive action likely this week.
Montana Audubon Position- Oppose
HB 352 would revise conservation easements to require public access. This in turn would make a conservation easement less appealing to potential partners. This would really lower conservation value of easements whose primary purpose is to safeguard wildlife and wildlife habitat – wildlife don’t need access, they are already there!
Action!
Follow the steps below to contact the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee HERE.
- Fill out the form provided.
- Select Committees (You may have to scroll down to find this)
- Select (H) Fish, Wildlife and Parks
- Select Bill Type (HB) and Bill Number 352
- Select Against
- Provide your message, making sure to personalize with your name, hometown and one sentence about your background and concern.