Sonya Smith - Montana Wildlife Federation

MWF 2021 Legislative Leadership Guide

January 15, 2021January 14, 2021 by Sonya Smith

A full list of legislators and relevant committees is available by clicking here.

Officers of Senate

President: Mark Blasdel, R-Kalispell
President Pro Tempore: Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton
Majority Leader: Cary Smith, R-Billings
Majority Whips: Doug Kary, R-Billings; Steve Fitzpatrick, R-Great Falls; Gordy Vance, R-Belgrade
Minority Leader: Jill Cohenour, D-Helena
Minority Whips: JP Pomnichowski, D-Bozeman; Pat Flowers, D-Bozeman; Diane Sands, D-Missoula

Officers of the House of Representatives

Speaker: Wylie Galt, R-Martinsdale
Speaker Pro Tempore: Casey Knudsen, R-Malta
Majority Leader: Sue Vinton, R-Billings
Majority Whips: Seth Berglee, R-Joliet; Dennis Lenz, R-Billings; Lola Sheldon-Galloway, R-Great Falls; Derek Skees, R-Kalispell
Minority Leader: Kim Abbot, D-Helena
Minority Caucus Chair: Marilyn Marler, D-Missoula
Minority Whips: Tyson Running Wolf, D-Browning; Laurie Bishop, D-Livingston; Derek Harvey, D-Butte

Who is your legislator?
If you do not know who your legislators are, you can search by your address at: https://www.leg.mt.gov/map/

How to Lobby the 2023 Montana Legislature

January 3, 2023January 14, 2021 by Sonya Smith

Important Resources

Legislative Services web site: http://leg.mt.gov/

Leave a Message for Legislators and Committees:

Phone messages: (406) 444-4800 from 7:30 am and 5 pm

Website messages: https://leg.mt.gov/web-messaging/

Governor’s Telephone: (406) 444-3111 or via the web at governor.mt.gov/contact

MWF’s website provides the following useful information:

A brief description and update of priority bills.

How to Lobby

First, know what’s going on:

Visit MWF’s website at to follow the bills and issues in which you are most interested. Each high priority bill will have a description and link to help you learn more about how you can help.
Join MWF’s weekly Legislative Action Team ZOOM meetings every Monday at 7 p.m. to learn what’s going on, how you can be involved, and to ask questions. You can participate using a telephone or a computer.
Keep up-to-date by joining MWF’s email list so you can get alerts and our regular updates, as well as action alerts when we really need a large voice to speak up.

Second, know how to testify remotely:

If you want to testify remotely you must register on the legislative services website by 12 pm (noon) the day before the hearing. You can register to testify here: https://leg.mt.gov/public-testimony/ When you register you must fill in the box regarding written testimony. You can include written testimony or attachments when you register but you do not have to do so even though you do have to put something in that box for written testimony. Instead, you can write in the box that you have no written testimony.
The registration form allows you to say whether you want to testify via phone or computer. If you register to testify via computer the committee will not see your video feed only your name and Zoom profile photo if you have one. If you want to add a photo to your Zoom account so that legislators can see you (it adds a personal touch to an impersonal online format), login to your Zoom account on the web, click “Profile” and add a photo by clicking “change” and then upload the photo you want to use.
After you register you will receive a receipt via email. This only confirms your registration. The day of the hearing you will receive the Zoom link or phone number for the hearing.
The day of the hearing, click on the link that was e-mailed to you that day (if you do not receive the email, check your spam folder).
During the hearing they will ask for proponents of the bill followed by opponents. You will need to click on the “raise your hand” function at the bottom of the screen when they call for proponents or opponents. To raise your hand on the phone hit *9.
When the hearing administrator calls on you to testify, you must unmute yourself. To unmute on Zoom, click the microphone button on the lower left of the screen so the red line through the microphone image disappears. On the phone you can unmute yourself by dialing *6.
When you testify always address your comments to the Chair and the Committee, followed by your name, how to spell your name, and where you are from. For example, start your testimony by saying, “Mr./Madame Chair, members of the committee, my name is —-, that is spelled —. I am from —.”
When testifying try to limit your comments to 3 minutes (about one typed page double-sided). Try not to repeat what others have said. Use personal stories whenever possible.
After you testify, stay until the hearing is over in case a committee member has a question for you. If you get asked a question always respond by addressing the committee Chair first followed by the Mr. committee member who asked the question (i.e., “Mr. Chair, Senator —, thank you for your question”).

Contacting legislators before or after a hearing:

You can contact legislators through the legislative services phone number and email at the top of this page or you can use the legislature’s website to find their direct e-mail and phone number. You can also send them your comments in writing to:

Montana Senate, P.O. Box 200500, Helena, MT 59620, or
Montana House of Representatives, P.O. Box 200400, Helena, MT 59620

When You Call to a Legislator

Have a script of what you would like to say. You are likely to get their voicemail. Please be respectful and keep your message short
If you talk to a legislator or they call back, address them as Senator or Representative
Say your name and where you are from
Provide a bill number and a very brief description
Be brief, honest, explicit, and courteous
Try to provide a personal perspective
Don’t overstate your case and always admit if you don’t know an answer
Thank them for their time
Follow-up with any information you promise to provide

It’s up to us to stand up for our public wildlife, lands, waters and public access to enjoy them.

Legislative Action Team Meetings 2023

April 3, 2023January 4, 2021 by Sonya Smith

Don’t miss the weekly MWF 2023 Legislative Action Team zoom call. Join our Legislative Action Team to receive the weekly zoom invites. The call will be every Monday at 7 PM. Unable to attend a call? View the recordings below.

The 68th Montana Legislative Assembly convened on January 2nd and will be, as always, a busy one for issues that affect wildlife, habitat, and access for sportswomen and sportsmen, and recreationists.

The 2021 Montana Legislature: Bills and Budgets

October 12, 2020 by Sonya Smith

Every session of the Montana Legislature, numerous bills come forward that affect our public lands, waters, fish and wildlife resources. In addition, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks needs to craft a budget that meets the needs of those resources, as well as all Montanans who enjoy wildlife, fish, and our state parks in numerous ways. Join state Sen. Tom Jacobson, Montana FWP Chief of Staff Quentin Kujala and MWF Conservation Director Nick Gevock for a look at what are likely to be the biggest issues in the upcoming 2021 Legislature.

You can now register to attend the celebration conservation victories and help build capacity for the challenges and opportunities ahead. The auction and Membership meeting is open to conservationists in Montana, across the country and around the world. Share this invitation widely with your networks! Register today, invite your team, and get ready for some exciting updates in your inbox soon!

Sen. Tom Jacobson, D-Great Falls, has served three terms in the state House and one in the Senate while serving on the House Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Senate Fish and Game committees. Tom is a lifelong hunter and angler and has been a strong advocate for Montana hunters, anglers and outdoor recreational users. He has also stood up for protecting public lands and been a strong advocate for increasing access to those lands and waters. He has twice received awards for his work from the Montana Wildlife Federation.

Quentin Kujala is chief of staff for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. He has previously served as a senior biologist within the Wildlife Division of FWP and as a field biologist working along the Rocky Mountain Front. He has a master’s degree in fish and wildlife science from Montana State University.

Nick Gevock serves as the conservation director for the Montana Wildlife Federation. Before that he worked as newspaper reporter in Bozeman and Butte, covering numerous natural resource, wildlife and public lands issues throughout southwestern Montana. He is an avid hunter, angler and outdoor recreationist. He travels throughout Montana with his dog Willow in pursuit of birds, hunts big game and likes to flyfish. Gevock works on key wildlife, habitat and access issues at the local, state and federal level.

Montana Wildlife Conservation 2020 Celebration Agenda

October 13, 2020October 7, 2020 by Sonya Smith

Register for the Montana Wildlife Conservation 2020 Celebration!

Yes, it’s virtual. Yes, it’s global. Yes, it’s free.

Because of the impacts of COVID-19, we shifted the 2020 Montana Wildlife Conservation Celebration to a free, global, virtual gathering October 15-20. In making this celebration our most accessible ever—we’re also re-imagining our celebration entirely to ensure that you get the most from every minute.

Be sure to check out our packed agenda and register. By registering you register for all events. We will send out an email several days before the Celebration begins with private link and password. Each day you will receive an email with a reminder of the days events and links to join!

Check out our Packed Agenda!

Thursday, October 15, 4:30-5:30 PM

Saving Our Herds: Containing the Spread of Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic Wasting Disease is an always-fatal neurological disease found in members of the deer family. It has been in North America for several decades but was first detected in Montana in November 2017. Montana wildlife biologists have a goal of keeping the disease below 5 percent prevalence, and this year are implementing new carcass disposal rules to work to prevent further human-caused spread. Join Quentin Kujala, Chief of Staff, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Emily Almberg, FWP Wildlife Biologist along with Nick Gevock, Conservation Director for Montana Wildlife Federation to talk about how hunters can do our part in this fight.

Thursday, October 15, 6:30-7:30 PM

The Last Cast: Climate change and fly fishing in Big Sky Country

Join Alec Underwood, Federal Conservation Campaigns Director for Montana Wildlife Federation and Sara Meloy, MWF Board Member for a brief presentation on the impacts of climate change on Montana’s world renown trout fisheries and enjoy a screening of MWF’s short film, The Last Cast.

Friday, October 16, 4:30pm-5:30pm

Affiliate Round Table

Join MWF staff, board members, and affiliate leaders for a roundtable discussion about the future of the MWF affiliate program and how to continue growing this partnership. Citizens invested in wildlife management were critical to our previous accomplishments and are critical to our continued success. Our network of affiliate organizations throughout the state in addition to our strong member base helps us stay heavily engaged in key issues affecting wildlife at the local, regional, and statewide levels. Led by Marcus Strange, Partnerships Director for Montana Wildlife Federation.

Friday, October 16, 6:00-7:00 PM

Public Access to Public Lands, Opportunities

Access to public land – everybody’s for it. But often, the solutions to landlocked or large blocks of public lands that are inaccessible to the public are complex. There are a host of state and federal programs that help acquire land that is mixed in with public land, or open easements to those lands. But in other cases, the solutions are more complex. Join John Salazar, MWF Board Member and Treasurer and Nick Gevock, Conservation Director for Montana Wildlife Federation to talk about an effort in the east Crazy Mountains to increase access, as well as other measures MWF is pursuing to help increase public access.

Saturday, October 17, 7PM- 9PM

Hunting Film Tour Virtual Movie Night

Join your fellow MWF members for a virtual movie night! MWF is partnering with the Hunting Film Tour to share a series of fair chase hunting films that are sure to inspire your next adventure. Sit back and enjoy a lineup of films from the comfort of your own home that showcase a series of epic adventures that are guaranteed to entertain and inspire.

Sunday, October 18, 4-5 PM

Legislative Preview in Helena and Washington, D.C.

Every session of the Montana Legislature and U.S. Congress, numerous bills come forward that affect our public lands, waters, fish and wildlife resources. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks needs to craft a budget that meets the needs of those resources, as well as all Montanans who enjoy wildlife, fish, and our state parks in numerous ways. In addition, MWF will be discussing the impact of the legalization and conservation funding ballot on Habitat if the funding measures are approved by Montana voters. Join State Sen. Tom Jacobson (Great Falls), Quentin Kujala, Chief of Staff for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Nick Gevock, Conservation Director for Montana Wildlife Federation and Frank Szollosi, Executive Director for Montana Wildlife Federation for a look at what are likely to be the biggest issues in the upcoming state and federal legislative sessions.

Sunday, October 18, 6-7 PM

The Future of Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge and Bison Reintroduction

The Great Plains of Montana once sustained millions of bison herds, but the population was devastated by development, human encroachment, and habitat loss. At more than a million acres, the Charles M. Russell (CMR) National Wildlife Refuge is a unique opportunity to restore a free-roaming wild population to America’s public lands. The National Wildlife Federation has a vision to return bison to their native home in and around the 1.1-million-acre refuge. Join State Senator Pat Flowers (Bozeman), Tom France, Regional Executive Director for National Wildlife Federation, Frank Szollosi, Executive Director for Montana Wildlife Federation, and Mary Zeiss Stange Co-Lead for Montana Artemis Alliance.

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Monday, October 19, 6:30PM -7:30PM

Voices in Conservation

Join panelists Marcia Brownlee, Program Manager for Artemis Sportswomen Alliance, Jimmy Flatt, Hunters of Color Founder, Anna Le, Fisheries Biologist and Environmental Educator, and SJ Keller of Queers and Camo, as they discuss how hunters and anglers are speaking up for wildlife and wildlands while diversifying the outdoors.

Tuesday, October 20, 6PM- 8:30PM

MWF Business and Board Meeting

Join us for the online Business and Board meeting for organizational updates, a policy resolution vote, Board and Officer elections and more.