By Gael Bissell
2025 Legislative Update
Flathead Audubon, along with other Montana Audubon chapters, supports two lobbyists during every biannual legislative session. This role is one of the major reasons Montana Audubon was formed: to support monitoring, responding, and alerting the public to those issues that affect birds, wildlife, and their habitat. These activities are performed both during and between legislative sessions. As most of you know, you can sign up for brief, timely, informative alerts from Montana Audubon and/or Montana Wildlife Federation on their respective websites.
As the 2025 legislative session winds down over the next few weeks, we are happy to share the following positive developments.
The Good News!
First, that pesky HB 57 that would have designated non-native Gambel’s and California Quail as Montana game birds, allowing for their legal introduction, died on the Senate floor February 21. Thanks to all of you who contacted your House and/or Senate legislators to defeat this bill.
Secondly, SB 307, which would have stripped more than $20 million of recreational marijuana taxes from Habitat Montana and over $12 million from Montana’s state parks, trails, and wildlife conservation programs, failed to pass an important Senate Finance and Claims Committee vote on April 1. The bill could be revived, but it will likely be replaced by other much better, and more popular, bills listed below.
Support Favorable Legislation Now Pending!
HB 932 , a good marijuana tax bill, is working its way through the Senate. This bill allocates revenue from recreational marijuana taxes to Habitat Montana conservation easements and acquisitions, wildlife crossings, and a variety of other habitat improvements. HB 932 passed the House Appropriations Committee with a vote of 16-7, and then passed second and third readings on the House Floor. The bill next heads to the Senate Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) Committee for a hearing on April 15.
SD 537 would maintain funding for FWP habitat conservation programs by establishing a Habitat Legacy Account and a Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossing account where a significant portion of marijuana tax money would be deposited. It would also fund various social programs, such as alcohol treatment and homeless shelter support, and provide funding for law enforcement. This bill was submitted to the Montana House Taxation Committee on April 3.
HB 855 calls for the establishment of a specialty license plate to generate funding for a designated account benefiting wildlife crossings and accommodations. The bill had a hearing on March 28, passed the Committee unanimously, and subsequently passed floor votes in the House. It is now moving through the Senate Transportation Committee, and, hopefully, to final passage on the Senate floor.
Oppose Pending Bill HB 285!
HB 285 essentially disembowels the Montana Environmental Policy Act, one of Montana’s major pieces of legislation passed decades ago to ensure our state government maintains our right to a “clean and healthful environment,” as stated in our Constitution. HB 285 revises the purpose and intent of the Act (emphasizing it is only procedural); limits what agencies can do or recommend; removes CO2 and greenhouse gases from consideration; and places the burden of proof on a plaintiff if they disagree with a state action. This bill was amended and sent back to the House Committee on April 4. Track this bill, and let your legislators know your concerns.
To see the current status of bills, go to Montana Bill Explorer at https://bills.legmt.gov/, type in the bill #, click, and view “Status” on the far right.
Personal calls are the most effective way to reach and impact your legislator. Call 406-444-4800. A Capitol operator will take down your brief message (e.g., vote NO on HB 285 because you support MEPA and want a clean and healthful environment). The message will be delivered immediately. We are told emails are not as effective; the legislators receive too many and do not have time to read them all.
Thank you!