Boots on the Hill: 69th Montana Legislature kicks off considering a Montana Cattle Committee, Water, Ag Land Leases, and Wildland Fire Funding

On January 6, legislators, lobbyists, and members of the public converged in Helena to start the work of the people. The first week of Montana's 69^th Legislative Session was off to a bit of a rocky start with the Senate in a stand-off over their governing rules. For the first two weeks, MFBF's Legislative Team have been hard at work lobbying on our members' behalf. Already our lobbyists have taken a stance on six bills with the potential to follow many more as there are more than 4300 bill draft requests looming.

To kick off the 2025 legislative session, the first bill that MFBF took a supportive stance on was HB 119: To establish a Montana Cattle Committee sponsored by Brandon Ler (R) HD 33. This bill was brought forward to create a Montana Cattle Committee which in turn will create a process for beef producers to take a referendum vote on the establishment of a program much like the current Montana Wheat and Barley Committee. Offering education to producers and consumers, Montana beef promotion and research, and the potential for expanding beef markets and creating a long-lasting legacy for Montana beef. With this Committee's establishment an optional secondary beef check-off will also be created to fund the program; a subject that has been on the minds of Montana cattle ranchers since last session. During the MFBF Convention, members passed policy to support the creation of such a committee. MFBF testified in support of the hearing, and many of our members, including District 1 Director J.M. Peck, made the trek to Helena to offer their support as well. The House Agriculture Committee has been considering a few amendments to the bill and we expect them to take executive action early next week. If you have not already done so, we encourage you to reach out to the House Agriculture Committee through our Voter Voice Action Alert and express your support.

Water policy flowed into the Senate Natural Resource Committee during the second week of session, with three bills that MFBF supported. SB 55: An act providing legislative intent regarding streamflow information sponsored by Wilis Curdy (D) SD 49 and SB 61: An act providing policy consideration for measuring stream flow sponsored by Bruce Gillespie (R) SD 9 both provide clarity around the use and intent for measuring streamflow. These two bills go hand in hand to ensure that viable, timely streamflow information is collected for effective management of water for water users; especially agricultural irrigators. SB 55 was also written to help support the state's effort in securing funding for stream gauges that United States Geological Survey (USGS) has recently reduced funding for. SB 76: Revise laws related to preliminary determinations for water right permits or changes in appropriations sponsored by Sue Vinton (R) SD 20 was the third bill that MFBF supported. This bill offered a few small "clean up" type amendments to legislation that passed during the last session. This legislation helps simplify the water rights change process by clarifying timelines for DNRC. All three bills passed the Senate Natural Resources Committee and will go on to further legislative action.

In the vein of simplification, at the request of Department of Natural Resources Representative Randyn Gregg (R) HD 78 brought HB 80: Provide cash lease-only bidding for ag leases. which changes the competitive bidding process for agriculture leases on state land. Under this law, competitive bids for ag leases will be bid exclusively on a cash basis. For clarity, agriculture leases are the farmed or cropped parcels managed by DNRC and have traditionally been bid on a crop share basis, although cash bids are allowed. Many farmers have already transitioned to cash leases because the crop share bidding is very complicated and difficult. This bill will modernize the process, benefiting farmers and the School Trust. MFBF supported this bill.

Lastly MFBF supported the introduction of HB 130: Revise state wildland fire policy and funding sponsored by Llew Jones (R) HD 18 to the House Natural Resource Committee. This bill helps in recognizing that the state and local fire agencies have the authority to bill a federal fire protection agency for costs incurred in fire suppression. It also allows the state to provide initial response to fires on lands that are within 5 miles of areas the DNRC or county fire response teams responsibilities. MFBF's stance on this bill highlights our members support of aggressive initial attack to stop wildfires, and this bill will encourage more of that.

In addition to regularly scheduled Legislative work, Nicole and Karli, who are both alumni of the REAL (Resource, Education, and Ag Leadership) Montana Program Class II, were able to interact and network with members of REAL Montana Class VI at the end of the week. Nicole presented a workshop on the Legislative process, and we enjoyed getting to know the new class members.

For more legislative updates and details on these issues, follow our Live with Your Lobbyist broadcast each Friday at noon on our Montana Farm Bureau Facebook Page.

Nicole Rolf is the Senior Director of Governmental Affairs and a rancher from Miles City, Montana. Nicole works closely with our Congressional delegation on national issues affecting Montana agriculture. Additionally, this is her ninth Montana Legislative Session, lobbying in Helena on behalf of MFBF members. Nicole can be contacted at [email protected].

Karli Johnson is the State Governmental Affairs Coordinator and a rancher from Chouteau, MT. This is Karli's first session lobbying on behalf of Montana Farm Bureau although she can be known as an old hand at testifying on Grizzly Bear bills before she came onto staff. Karli will focus on water and wildlife issues throughout the legislative session while also serving as the Northwest Regional Manager. Karli can be contacted at [email protected].