Archive for Access
Assault on Access Won’t Quit
Posted by:If it wasn’t clear that the Republicans in the Montanan Legislature weren’t listening to Montanans before, it because crystal clear today when they launched a back-door assault on stream access.
Republicans attempted to amend Sen. Blewett’s “Freedom to Float” bill to totally destroy the intention of the bill and instead include provisions from their stream access restricting “ditch bill.” Sen. Blewett’s bill expanded the rights of Montanans recreating on our rivers, lakes and streams. The “ditch bill” sought to restrict access of hundreds of miles of rivers and streams.
This amendment came just one day after the committee tabled the “ditch bill.”
Fortunately, the GOP amendments to the Blewett’s bill failed. However, Sen. Ripley has vowed to continue to push the bill forward. He will likely attempt to push for a full vote in the Senate later this week.
The Ditch Bill has been strongly opposed by Montanans every step of its trip through the legislature. In fact, when the bill received its hearing in the Senate more than 300 people from all across the state showed up to oppose the bill. This was by far the largest hearing of the entire legislative session.
“Ditch Bill” Dead…Probably
Posted by:In a rare occurrence this legislative session, the Montana GOP actually seemed to listen to the voices of Montanans telling them that their extreme agenda does not represent the will of Montanans.
Today, the Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Committee likely killed the so-called “ditch bill.” This bill would have restricted the rights of Montanans to access hundreds of miles of public waterways in the state. It would have done this by redefining what is a ditch in the state.
The bill was pushed by wealthy out-of-state landowners.
During the hearing on the bill earlier this month, Republicans met fierce opposition to the bill by more than 300 sportsmen from all over the state who descended on the Capitol to have their voices heard.
During today’s executive action session, members of the committee attempted to amend 90% of the bill out so that it wasn’t as egregious. However, Republicans were quickly informed that they were not legally allowed to make such a substantial change to the bill, and instead would have to have a new bill drafted. The committee members decided to table this bill, likely killing it.
There is still talk that Republicans may try to have a replacement bill drafted with their desired amendments, however with the deadline for most bills to be drafted already passed and only a few days left in this legislative session, the likelihood of this bill making it through the session is slim.
Standing Up For Sportsmen
Posted by:Democrats in the House, today killed a Republican proposal that sought to burden sportsmen with funding measures to control the certain animal populations in the state.
The bill would have charged hunters and fishermen an additional fee to go towards managing the populations of these animals. The bill failed on a 22-78 vote.
This bill is part of a series of measures the GOP has pushed that seeks to make it more difficult for Montana sportsmen to use our public lands for hunting, fishing and recreating. The most notable of these proposals is the so-called “Ditch Bill,” (HB 309).
HB 309 would have restricted Montana sportsmen’s access to certain public waterways. It has been largely supported by wealthy out-of-state landowners. During a hearing a few weeks ago, more than 300 sportsmen from all over the state came to the Capitol to oppose the Republican proposal.
Republicans clearly are seeking to undermine the Montana public’s access to our public lands. It would be refreshing if instead of restricting the rights of Montana sportsmen, they worked to improve those rights.
Montanans Stand Up For Stream Access
Posted by:More than 300 hundred Montanans came to the Capitol today to stand up for their right to access our streams, rivers and lakes. As we’ve reported recently, the Republican Party has restarted their assault on Montana’s rights to access our public water.
Rep. Welborn’s HB 309 seeks to rewrite the rules to accessing ditches in the state. If the bill is written into law, Montanans who enjoy fishing, floating and recreating on these waters would be shut out of hundreds of bodies of water in the state.
Today, the GOP received a clear message from Montanans; they value their right to access these streams and do not appreciate these rights being infringed.
Before the hearing, Sen. Kendall Van Dyk of Billings and several stream access activists lead a rally to excited the hundreds of Montanans who came to oppose the bill. During the hearing, Sen. Van Dyk spoke clearly for all in attendance when he said, “In Montana, access isn’t for sale.”
The committee will likely take executive action on the bill in the coming days.
GOP to Continue Assault on Stream Access
Posted by:As we told you last month, the GOP has sought to reignite a fight that was settled in past legislative sessions. This time their assault is on the stream access rights Montanans currently enjoy.
Tomorrow, their assault moves forward as Rep. Welborn’s HB 309, which seeks to restrict access to hundreds of Montana’s streams and rivers, is heard in heard in the Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation committee. This is the last opportunity Montanans will have to comment publicly on this bill.
The Republican majority in the House has already pushed this bill through their chamber, however Senate Democrats, including Sen. Van Dyk who has long been a champion of stream access in the state, have vowed to put up a fight to stop it from moving any further.
Opponents of the measure have organized a rally set to take place just before the bill is heard in committee.
If this bill passes out of committee, Republicans will be one step closer to restricting Montanans’ right to hunting, fishing and recreating on our state’s waterways.
"We believe that the current budget, heading to the Senate Floor next week, unnecessarily pits Montanans against, creating winners and losers” 