Daines Bill to Increase Access to Public Lands Passes Senate Committee

• March 4, 2026

Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act One Step Closer to Becoming Law

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that his bill, the "Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act," passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and is one step closer to becoming law.

"As a lifelong sportsman, increasing access to Montana's beautiful public lands is one of my top priorities. This bill is common sense: it unlocks land that's overdue for release from restrictive Wilderness Study Area status to increase access for outdoor recreation, forest management, and wildfire mitigation. I am glad to see it pass committee and I'll keep fighting to get it across the finish line," said Daines.

Watch Daines' remarks in committee HERE.

Background:

Daines introduced the Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act in December 2025- read the press release HERE.

The bill returns three Wilderness Study Areas (WSA) to general management. Each WSA is recommended for release by their respective agency's land and resource management plan revisions and provides more flexibility for land managers to mitigate wildfire risk, restore wildlife habitat, and increase sportsmen access.

The three Wilderness Study Areas Daines' bill would return to general public land management are the Middle Fork Judith WSA, the Hoodoo Mountain WSA, and the Wales Creek WSA.

Read the bill text HERE.

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