The Montana Wildlife Federation 2017 Legislative Voting Record is a compilation of how state legislators voted on key issues during the 2017 Legislative Session. It is meant to provide information for the public on where legislators stand on issues that affect wildlife, habitat and public access. Votes were identified by a committee of MWF volunteers to provide a spectrum of high profile issues. Data were compiled by MWF staff from official Montana Legislative records.
This report uses the vote on a given bill that is most reflective of a legislator’s stance on the issue. MWF has compiled a Legislative Voting Record at the conclusion of each Legislative Session for more than 20 years. This report is produced for nonpartisan informational purposes so that MWF members can understand how lawmakers voted on issues of concern. Support for or opposition to any given bill or resolution is not intended to provide an endorsement or rejection of any state legislator.
As we move into the final weeks of the 2017 Legislature efforts are again underway in the state Capitol to gut Montana’s most successful habitat protection and public access program, Habitat Montana.
Sportsmen, Conservationists Defeat Bad Habitat Montana Bill
HB 651 was heard two weeks ago in the House Natural Resources committee, where it didn’t receive a single supporter but had a dozen wildlife conservation groups oppose it. It’s a testament to the strong support for Habitat Montana as well as the unified voice of Montana’s conservation and sportsmen’s groups.
The bill would have changed the primary purpose from habitat conservation to securing access easements to public land. It also would have been duplicative by creating a new position in state government that in fact already exists: an access specialist.
HB 651 was passed out last Wednesday following a special committee hearing that morning, but it died on the floor in a 53-47 vote. Thanks to all the MWF volunteers and conservation partners who spoke up to kill this bad bill.
Constitutional Referendum
SB 236, would send a referendum to Montana voters to establish constitutional right to hunt, fish and trap. While MWF has an 81 year history of standing up for the right of Montanans to hunt, trap, and fish, we have concerned about language in the measure for the legal consequences it could have for Fish, Wildlife and Parks, hunters, anglers and trappers, and private landowners. Something this important needs to be written carefully to protect the interests of all wildlife stakeholders.
SB 236 passed out of the Senate in a 30 to 20 vote, and because it requires 100 votes from the entire Legislature will need 70 votes in the House. It will be heard in House Judiciary 8 a.m. Monday, April 3 in Room 137.
State Parks Separation Bill Passes
HB 324 would let the board that governs parks directly hire the supervisor of Montana State Parks, instead of having that supervisor report to the director of Montana FWP. Taking away the FWP director’s authority would fragment decision making, and the bill could have implications for federal hunting and fishing equipment excise taxes that affect the entire FWP budget. The bill passed the Senate late last week and is heading to the governor. MWF will ask for a veto on this bill.
10 Percent Bill
The bill that would guarantee non-residents 10 percent of all special permits for deer, elk and antelope died on the House floor last week in a 53-47 vote. Currently non-resident hunters are capped at 10 percent, and have an equal chance in drawing until that threshold is reached. The bill, HB 568, would have made the 10 percent a guaranteed floor, and would have meant a separate drawing for non-resident hunters.
Looking Ahead
This week the Habitat Montana program will likely be in the spotlight as we begin to work on HB 5, the state capital improvements funding bill that includes the habitat conservation program. We will also likely have the House Judiciary hearing on SB 236, the constitutional referendum.
As always, check the Montana Wildlife Federation bill tracker at montanawildlife.org for the most up-to-date information on bills and where they’re at in the process. For questions, contact MWF Conservation Director Nick Gevock at ngevock@mtwf.org or by calling 458-0227 ext. 108.
We’re off and running at the 2017 Legislature, with several bill hearings last week that affected wildlife and habitat.
LEGISLATURE KICKS OFF WITH SOME “CLEAN UP” BILLS
Last week was taken up mostly by clean up bills proposed by Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP). They included removing the ambiguous term “civet cats” from state law as a predatory animal. There were also bills affecting private fish pond stocking, a bill to continue to allow limited bison permits for Native American tribes, and a bill to allow a pilot program for electronic hunting tags for big game, and a bill to clarify eligible uses of livestock loss prevention funds. MWF staff testified on all of these bills.
PROACTIVE MEASURE OFFERED ON ENDANGERED SPECIES/LIVESTOCK LOSS
This week we have the main bill to address livestock loss prevention, SB 73, sponsored by Sen. Pat Connell, R-Hamilton. The bill would lift the sunset on the livestock loss program and continue to allow funding to be used for prevention work. This important program helps with programs such as livestock carcass removal, fencing of attractants and range riders to prevent conflicts with grizzly bears and wolves. It is tangible, on-the-ground conservation that benefits wildlife and people, and it brings together livestock producers and conservationists. MWF strongly supports these proactive measures and will be there to support the bill.
DRAFTS OFFERED ON PUBLIC LAND TAKEOVER
Bill drafts have been requested on several proposals that appear to promote the idea of a state takeover of federal lands. Although specific bill language is not yet available, MWF is monitoring the issue closely. We are also working with a coalition of conservation and outdoor groups to plan a Rally on January 30 in support of public lands. Mark your calendars and watch for more information.
SEVERAL MORE WILDLIFE BILLS ON THE HORIZON
On Tuesday, the House Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Committee will hear HB 96, sponsored by Rep. Zach Brown, D-Bozeman. This bill would extend to nonresident landowners a program that provides resident landowners with one non-transferable permit for immediate family or designee in return for allowing public hunters chosen by FWP. This bill was promoted by the collaborative Private Land/Public Wildlife Committee.
Other bills for the week include HB 150, sponsored by Kerry White, R-Bozeman, which would clarify the residency requirement for armed forces members; HB 164, Kelly Flynn, R-Townsend, which would revise the distribution of base hunting license funds; HB 157, Forrest Mandeville, which would remove the restriction on owning domestically bred foxes; HB 128, Ray Shaw, R-Sheridan, revising the waiting period for bighorn sheep licenses; and HB 97, Denley Loge, R-St. Regis, which would increase the payment cap for Block Management participants.
MWF’s position on key bills is determined by our Legislative Committee, a group of volunteers which meets every Monday night. For more information on any issues or to provide your feedback on specific proposals, contact Nick Gevock at ngevock@mtwf.org or 406-458-0227 ex 108.
Nick Gevock is Montana Wildlife Federation’s Conservation Director. You can reach him at ngevock@mtwf.org.
Jeff Lukas
Elk Campaign Manager
Jeff Lukas is a passionate conservationist who has been fishing and hunting his entire life. Whether it’s floating a small stream chasing trout, pursuing elk in the high country, or waiting in a blind for ducks to set their wings, Jeff is always trying to bring more people afield to show them what we are trying to protect. He loves being in the arena, and he will never shy away from conversations about the beautiful and unique corners of Big Sky country.
