HB 425 - Public Notice on State Oil/Gas Leases
ByHB 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.
According to Rep. Pomnichowski, “precedent exists throughout state statue for public notification on actions taken on state lands,” yet this is not so for oil and gas leases.
HB 425 would streamline state law and provide continuity for public notification on all state land decisions. As state lands play a critical role in both educational funding and for recreational purposes, decisions made on how to best manage state lands must be subject to public notification.
HB 425 has been rereferred to House Appropriations.
"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.” 