News - Montana Wildlife Federation

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.

Montana Wildlife Federation Objects to Insurrections at Capitols

February 11, 2021January 13, 2021 by Frank Szollosi

The last week has been a challenging time for our entire nation. The deadly, unprecedented attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob was totally unacceptable and a direct assault on our Constitution and values as Americans. And now law enforcement is reporting credible threats that more violence could be coming, including here in Montana. This must stop, immediately. This is not who we are.

For eight decades, MWF has engaged in vigorous public engagement in the democratic process. We were founded when a handful of average Montanans decided to stand up to the Robber Barons who pulled the strings at the State Capitol – and for 85 years we’ve fought special interests to protect the right of every Montanan to enjoy our outdoors and natural heritage.

We have never been shy about disagreements or leading peaceful protests. We know that fights in our Republic are settled by vigorous but peaceful debate, not violence, nor even the threat of violence. Armed intimidation of lawmakers is contrary to the values of our state, our citizens and our community. Remember, just a few years ago, MWF co-led a thousand Montanans to peacefully and legally rally in our Capitol – without a single act of violence or vandalism. We support free and fair elections, and the results of those elections, regardless of partisanship. The election of 2020 is no different: some candidates won, some lost, and there has been no evidence whatsoever of widespread irregularities in Montana nor across the country. We at MWF pride ourselves at reaching across the aisle to both Republicans and Democrats in Helena and Washington to advance our mission in support of wildlife, habitat and access. We fervently believe that conservation brings people together. The safety of law enforcement, journalists, local, state and federal employees, lawmakers and their staff and of course, the public, should never be in jeopardy as they carry out the People’s business.

During this trying time – and whatever times are ahead – know that MWF will continue to support our country, the rights enshrined in our Constitution, and the right and responsibility of all Montanans to participate in the democratic process.

Sincerely,

The MWF Board of Directors

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.

Montana Poised to Establish a National Precedent for 21st Century Conservation Funding

March 30, 2021October 16, 2020 by Guest Profile

Montana hunters, anglers, conservationists support bid for $18 million-a-year investment in wildlife, habitat, access

The Montana Wildlife Federation is Montana’s oldest, largest and most effective statewide wildlife conservation and sporting organization. Our roots date back to 1936, when hunters and anglers joined landowners to restore Montana’s depleted wildlife. We have an 84-year record of working to solve the difficult issues surrounding public wildlife, habitat and access to enjoy our public trust resources.

MWF endorses I-190 and CI-118 because of their tremendous potential to address longstanding financial issues surrounding many of our public resources. It’ll be extraordinary if Montana voters support this new revenue stream for conservation. Natural resources, working lands and public recreation would tremendously benefit from passage of these ballot initiatives.

With CI-118 and I-190, it’s estimated that Montana’s budget for public land access and management would see an $18-million boost in revenue. I-190 is a statutory initiative that legalizes, regulates, and taxes marijuana in Montana. CI-118 amends the Montana Constitution to make the minimum age for consumption and purchase of marijuana 21.

I-190 includes language that earmarks half of generated marijuana tax revenue for conservation efforts, however, CI-118 also needs to pass for these funds to be made available. The Nongame Wildlife Special Revenue Account, State Park Special Revenue Account, and Trails and Recreational Facilities Account will each get more than 4 percent of tax revenue generated from marijuana sales. Habitat Montana alone will get 37 percent of collected revenue. Combined, that’s more than $18 million per year in funding for Montana’s wildlife, waters, and public lands.

Montana Wildlife Federation is taking the extraordinary step of endorsing these ballot measures because funding deficiencies for public natural resources and their enjoyment have been decades in the making and need to be addressed. A 2019 report produced by Montana-based Headwaters Economics found numerous funding shortfalls to keep up with the growing demands on our state’s parks, ranches and farms, public trails and public wildlife. For example:

Wildlife management and conservation needs an estimated $15 million annually to keep pace with a host of growing challenges, from emerging issues like Chronic Wasting Disease in big game, aquatic invasive species in our fisheries to longstanding conservation priorities that include restoring key wildlife habitat such as big game winter range.
Working lands including private farms, ranches and timberlands have an unmet need of $12.4 million. The needs include conservation easements over lands slated for development. Easements keep these lands in working agriculture and timber production, while also ensuring they provide the open space to maintain wildlife habitat and public recreation on these important areas.
State trails for multiple-use recreation have a $7.1 million need to address safety, erosion and access. Statewide nearly three quarters of Montanans use trails Funding is needed for maintenance and improvements.
The Montana State Park system has an estimated $25.7 million maintenance backlog just to keep up with the demand on facilities. The backlog includes repairing and upgrading campgrounds, toilets, and other facilities, and boosting educational programs to meet the increased visitation.

With roughly half of the public revenue generated by I-190 and CI-118 dedicated to these important needs, Montana is poised to establish a significant national precedent for funding conservation in the 21^st century. The funding will benefit wildlife habitat on public and private lands – including important big game winter range and helping efforts to prevent wildlife from becoming endangered. It will go toward our state parks. And it will go toward trails and recreation that all Montanans enjoy. This initiative would benefit all Montanans; our quality of life, ranchers and landowners who are our partners in conservation, and our growing outdoor recreation economy.

If approved by Montana voters, Montana Wildlife Federation will collaborate with many others to ensure that state government will abide by the will of the electorate. MWF will staunchly oppose any attempts at reallocation of existing or new conservation appropriations.

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.