Legislative Action Alert: March 12th, 2021
House Bill 599: Generally revise open cut laws
Status: Hearing: 03/15/2021; 3:00 PM, Rm 303 (S) Nat Res
Position: Oppose
HB 599 is a truly radical fundamental re-write of gravel pit laws in a way that would completely cut the public out of the permitting process in nearly every instance. The bill, introduced at the 11th hour, is loaded with flaws, eliminates dozens of requirements for gravel pit operators, and completely excludes notification and involvement of neighboring landowners in most gravel pit permitting processes.
URGENT ACTION!
- Sign up to testify by 12pm on 3/14 HERE.
- Follow the steps below to contact the Senate Natural Resources committee HERE.
- Fill out the form provided.
- Select Committees (You may have to scroll down to find this)
- Select (S) Natural Resources
- Select Bill Type (HB) and Bill Number 599
- Select Against
- Provide your message, making sure to personalize with your name, hometown and one sentence about your background and concern.
- Contact the Senate Natural Resources Committee directly!
Welborn, Jeffrey (R) ‑ Chair, [email protected], (406) 949-6070
Small, Jason (R) ‑ Vice Chair, [email protected], (406) 690-0923
Flowers, Pat (D) ‑ Vice Chair, [email protected], (406) 580-0035
Ankney, Duane (R), [email protected], (406) 740-0629
Brown, Bob (R), [email protected], (406) 242-0141
Cohenour, Jill (D), [email protected], (406) 227-1144
Gillespie, Bruce (R), [email protected], (406) 949-4453
Hoven, Brian (R), [email protected], (406) 761-8533
Jacobson, Tom (D), [email protected], (406) 868-9814
Lang, Mike (R), [email protected], (406) 654-7357
Lynch, Ryan (D), [email protected], (406) 498-6625
Pomnichowski, JP (D), [email protected], (406) 587-7846
Secretary: Lauren de Paepe, Rm 320, (406) 444‑4618
Staff: Jason Mohr, Rm 171D, (406) 444‑1640
SB 260: Generally revise laws related to property interests and transfer of businesses
Status: Hearing 03/16/2021; 08:30 AM, Rm 172
Montana Audubon Position: Oppose
SB 260 would greatly expand on the provision in the Montana Constitution that already requires a government body to pay a property owner if an action takes away the entire value of that person’s property. SB 260 drastically changes that. SB 260 would require the state to pay whenever a state action diminishes the value of the property by as little as 25% regardless of the need for the regulation to protect public health, safety, and welfare.
A similar bill in 2013 was projected to cost Montana $600 million over six years and it had protections for public health, safety, and welfare! Governments must be able to protect all people, including those who live downwind or downstream from a project, or are concerned about their property values or well-being.
SB 260 defines property so broadly that it includes far more than just land. It also includes stocks, bonds, business brands, credit, intellectual property, perceived financial stability of a company, property fixtures, personal property or appurtenances, water rights, permits, domestic animals, all obligations, labor, business licenses, all types of property associated with business licenses, and a host of other types of property.
URGENT ACTION!
- Sign up to testify by 12pm on 3/15 HERE.
- Follow the steps below to contact the House Business and Labor committee HERE.
- Fill out the form provided.
- Select Committees (You may have to scroll down to find this)
- Select (H) Business and Labor
- Select Bill Type (SB) and Bill Number 260
- Select Against
- Provide your message, making sure to personalize with your name, hometown and one sentence about your background and concern.
- Contact the House Business and Labor Committee directly!
Noland, Mark (R) ‑ Chair, [email protected], (406) 253-8982
Buttrey, Ed (R) ‑ Vice Chair, [email protected], (406) 452-6460
Sullivan, Katie (D) ‑ Vice Chair, [email protected], (406) 616-3914
Abbott, Kim (D), [email protected], (406) 439-8721
Anderson, Fred (R), unavailable email, (406) 761-4042
Curdy, Willis (D), [email protected], (406) 728-0981
Duram, Neil (R), [email protected], (406) 471-2356
Fitzgerald, Ross (R), [email protected], (406) 467-2032
Funk, Moffie (D), [email protected], (406) 461-6785
Galloway, Steven (R), [email protected], (406) 727-4963
Gist, Steve (R), [email protected], (406) 231-4050
Gunderson, Steve (R), [email protected], (406) 334-4370
Harvey, Derek (D), [email protected], (406) 490-5472
Loge, Denley (R), [email protected], (406) 649-2368
Marshall, Ron (R), [email protected], (406) 579-9498
Novak, Sara (D), [email protected], (406) 691-0069
Olsen, Andrea (D), [email protected], (406) 543-2666
Seekins‑Crowe, Kerri (R), [email protected], (406) 208-6587
Whiteman Pena, Rynalea (D), [email protected], (406) 477-8717
Zolnikov, Katie (R), [email protected],(406) 690-1684
Clerk: Jordee Bomgardner, Rm 468, (406) 444‑1513
Staff: Jameson Walker, Rm 125, 444‑3722
SB 257: Prohibit local governments from imposing carbon penalties, fees, or taxes
Status: Waiting on House Taxation executive action
Montana Audubon Position: Oppose
SB 257 eliminates local governments (i.e. cities, towns, and counties) from enacting or adopting any ordinance or regulation that includes any fees, taxation, or penalties for the use of fossil fuel based energy consumption (carbon). Several cities and towns in Montana have adopted 100% clean energy goals on behalf of their citizens, and are considering “green tariffs” as a way to advance the clean energy goals in their communities. This bill would prohibit them from addressing climate change at a local level, and in a way that is responsive to their constituents.
Action!
- Follow the steps below to contact the House Taxation committee HERE.
- Fill out the form provided.
- Select Committees (You may have to scroll down to find this)
- Select (H) Taxation
- Select Bill Type (SB) and Bill Number 257
- Select Against
- Provide your message, making sure to personalize with your name, hometown and one sentence about your background and concern.
- Contact the House Taxation Committee directly!
Beard, Becky (R) ‑ Chair – (406) 492-6590, [email protected]
Welch, Tom (R) ‑ Vice Chair – (406) 683-4811, [email protected]
Fern, Dave (D) ‑ Vice Chair – (406) 212-0674, [email protected]
Abbott, Kim (D), [email protected], (406) 439-8721
Brewster, Larry (R) – (406) 670-0929, [email protected]
Buckley, Alice (D) – (406) 404-0891, [email protected]
Dunwell, Mary Ann (D) – (406) 461-5358, [email protected]
Fielder, Paul (R) – (406) 210-5943, [email protected]
Hinkle, Caleb (R) – (406) 585-0722, [email protected]
Kassmier, Joshua (R) – (406) 781-5386, [email protected]
Kerns, Scot (R) – (406) 351-0154,
Knudsen, Rhonda (R) – (406) 489-5253, [email protected]
Malone, Marty (R) – (406) 223-1302, [email protected]
Marler, Marilyn (D) – (406) 544-7189, [email protected]
Mitchell, Braxton (R) – (406) 314-9474, [email protected]
Sheldon‑Galloway, Lola (R) – (406) 750-4721, [email protected]
Thane, Mark (D) – (406) 552-3957, [email protected]
Trebas, Jeremy (R) – (406) 899-5445, [email protected]
Clerk: Kathy Sangray, Rm 451, 406-444‑4467
Staff: Megan Moore, Rm 111A, 406- 444‑4496
SB 98: Revising laws related to grizzly bear take in defense of persons and livestock
Status: Waiting on House Agriculture executive action
Montana Audubon Position: Oppose
This bill would redefine when a grizzly bear can be killed to include threatening livestock. The language would replace language approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to assure adequate mechanisms to maintain grizzly bears post delisting from the endangered species list, and ensure that grizzlies are never delisted in Montana.
This bill would allow anyone to kill any grizzly bear at any time if livestock were in the area, resulting in the unregulated killing of grizzly bears in Montana. If this bill is passed, there would be no regulatory mechanism for FWP to monitor and limit grizzly mortality, and thus the Fish and Wildlife Service could not delist grizzly bears in Montana. Contact members of the Senate Agricultural, Livestock and Irrigation Committee and tell them to vote NO on SB 98
Action!
- Follow the steps below to contact the House Agriculture committee HERE.
- Fill out the form provided.
- Select Committees (You may have to scroll down to find this)
- Select (H) Agriculture
- Select Bill Type (SB) and Bill Number 98
- Select Against
- Provide your message, making sure to personalize with your name, hometown and one sentence about your background and concern.
- Contact the House Agriculture Committee directly!
Kassmier, Joshua (R) ‑ Chair, [email protected], (406) 781-5386
Dooling, Julie (R) ‑ Vice Chair, [email protected], (406) 471-4125
Olsen, Andrea (D) ‑ Vice Chair, [email protected], (406) 543-2666
Anderson, Fred (R), unavailable email, (406) 761-4042
Beard, Becky (R), [email protected], (406) 492-6590
Binkley, Michele (R), [email protected], (406) 375-0291
Curdy, Willis (D), [email protected], (406) 728-0981
Funk, Moffie (D), [email protected], (406) 461-6785
Knudsen, Casey (R), unavailable email, (406) 390-0274
Ler, Brandon (R), [email protected], (406) 480-5687
Malone, Marty (R), [email protected], (406) 223-1302
Marshall, Ron (R), [email protected], (406) 579-9498
McKamey, Wendy (R), unavailable email, (406) 866-3300
Smith, Frank (D), [email protected], (495) 942-0615
Sullivan, Katie (D), [email protected], (406) 616-3914
Walsh, Kenneth (R), [email protected], (406) 684-5624
Whiteman Pena, Rynalea (D), [email protected], (406) 477-8717
Clerk: Jacquelynn Bomgardner, Rm 468, (406) 444‑1596
Staff: Cori Hach, Rm 129, (406) 444‑6857
SB 337: Revising laws related to grizzly bear relocation
Status: Waiting House Fish Wildlife and Parks Executive committee action
Montana Audubon Position: Oppose
This bill states that bears found outside the established recovery zones cannot be translocated by the state, and therefore would be killed. It would raise major concerns with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and preclude every delisting grizzly bear because of issues with adequate management protocols to ensure grizzly mortality isn’t too high.
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 (SB) and Bill Number 337
- Select Against
- Provide your message, making sure to personalize with your name, hometown and one sentence about your background and concern.
- Contact the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks Committee directly!
Fitzgerald, Ross (R) ‑ Chair, [email protected], (406) 467-2032
Duram, Neil (R) ‑ Vice Chair, [email protected], (406) 471-2356
Farris‑Olsen, Robert (D) ‑ Vice Chair, [email protected], (406) 794-4780
Berglee, Seth (R), [email protected], (406) 690-9329
Fielder, Paul (R), [email protected], (406) 210-5943
France, Tom (D), [email protected], (406) 396-5085
Hinkle, Jedediah (R), [email protected], (406) 585-0722
Knudsen, Rhonda (R), [email protected], (406) 489-5253
Loge, Denley (R), [email protected], (406) 649-2368
Marler, Marilyn (D), [email protected], (406) 544-7189
Mitchell, Braxton (R), [email protected], (406) 314-9474
Novak, Sara (D), [email protected], (406) 691-0069
Phalen, Bob (R), [email protected], (406) 939-1187
Putnam, Brian (R), [email protected], (406) 233-9463
Reksten, Linda (R), [email protected], (406) 471-8359
Running Wolf, Tyson (D), [email protected], (406) 845-2115
Seekins‑Crowe, Kerri (R), [email protected], (406) 208-6587
Weatherwax, Marvin (D), [email protected], (406) 338-7741
Clerk: Joanne Kauzlarich, Rm 451,(406) 444‑2554
Staff: Hope Stockwell, Rm 171C, (406) 444‑9280