Archive for Fish & Wildlife
by State Bureau
A bill clarifying state law on public access to certain rivers and streams from county roads and bridges is headed to Gov. Brian Schweitzer for his expected signature.
In a final vote, the House Monday accepted Senate amendments to House Bill 190, by Rep. Kendall Van Dyk, D-Billings. The vote was 96-3. The Senate previously approved the amended bill on a 48-2 vote. Read More→
Bridge access bill clears Senate committee
Posted by:By CHARLES S. JOHNSON
The bridge-access bill is headed to the Senate floor for debate after the Senate Fish and Game Committee approved amendments Thursday to address some liability and prescriptive easement concerns raised by some landowners.
The panel adopted a set of amendments previously agreed to by representatives of sportsmen and landowner groups and lawmakers that resolved some questions that arose in the committee’s hearing. Read More→
Bridge access bill near compromise
Posted by:By Charles S. Johnson, State Bureau
Opponents of a bridge access bill raised some concerns at a Senate hearing Thursday, but the bill’s sponsor said he’s confident these differences can be ironed out.
Twenty-five people representing groups ranging from the Montana Wildlife Federation and Trout Unlimited to the Montana Farm Bureau Federation and Farmers Union lined up for House Bill 190, by Rep. Kendall Van Dyk, D-Billings, before the Senate Fish and Game Committee. Attorney General Steve Bullock also endorsed it. Read More→
Rep. Menahan looks to strengthen FWP
Posted by:On Thursday, the House Fish Wildlife and Parks committee heard two bills sponsored by Rep. Mike Menahan (D-Helena). Both bills aim to improve wildlife management through improving both existing laws and species management authority. Read More→
SB 301, sponsored by Sen. Mike Cooney (D-Helena) looks to advance energy conservation here in Montana. SB 301, titled “Tax Credit for Alternative Energy Capital Investment” would level the playing field on capital investments for those looking to improve upon our energy future. 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.” 