Archive for Natural Resources
By Courtney Lowery, NewWest News
The opposition that lined up against House Bill 445, or the Farmer Protection Bill, last week wasn’t exactly unexpected.
Whether the bill would make Montana “unfriendly to business” was one topic of conversation. Another line of questioning involved whether the bill would scare off big bio-tech companies, such as Monsanto, from investing research dollars in the state’s university system. Read More→
House hears Blackfeet water compact bill
Posted by:By Molly Priddy, Great Falls Tribune
A bill that would define the Montana-Blackfeet water compact was heard again in a House committee Tuesday, despite passing its original committee unanimously.
House Bill 161, sponsored by Rep. Shannon Augare, D-Browning, outlines the Blackfeet Tribe’s rights to water that flows off the reservation in rivers and streams. The compact also provides $4 million from the state’s general fund as a cost-share in the $20 million Four Horns Reservoir upgrade. Read More→
HB 425, sponsored by Rep. JP Pomnichowski (D-Bozeman) was heard Wednesday, February 18th before the House Natural Resources committee. HB 425, titled “Public Notice for Oil/Gas leases on State Land” would make law public notification on any new oil or gas leases on state land, either through mail, newsprint or through hearing. Read More→
"I think that it’s going to all work out, with the changes that we have agreed to. It’s not as much (spending for some programs) as I would’ve hoped, but apparently it’s more than other people wanted. As usual, we are trying to find the middle.” 
"[On term limits:] You empower the executive, you empower the lobbyists and that's not good for the system because then we lose what the citizen Legislature brings.” 