[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6353366,"mediaKeyId","2221367-11cb974d46a84787207a8a76e10a0971","parentId",2221367,"title","Bill would bar DEQ, local programs from adopting air standards stricter than federal law; proponents cite regulatory certainty, opponents warn of public‑health,","audioSeconds",5040,"startMs",3449000,"endMs",8489000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221367-11cb974d46a84787207a8a76e10a0971&start=3449&end=8489","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221367-11cb974d46a84787207a8a76e10a0971/thumbnail_3449000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6353366/Montana/Bill-would-bar-DEQ-local-programs-from-adopting-air-standards-stricter-than-federal-law-proponents-cite-regulatory-certainty-opponents-warn-of-publichealth","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353366-75934283925ce993934fc467fedcbb05/orig.mp4?Expires=1775736837&Signature=G5BLC9PO-bIxRNQmFVQ5HYYo2PST1J1GjvooKqrSFyeTBjTAKG3K2D7IU-l9XMM95a0PHVAz69rA68XE61U2G94M-HLqsrB1NLy7Z48JSoJtq9hPACtbPCusCMx6WOW2HQpiGDnE67dwbxrSOs7ioOMFGTwl47DXsPuUlCSEuDfuKD41gX5egNRh-j35p7fjwnUNrIX7DYO7UdMugla4soiyBDWoOhrZa00oouF0F2SArPe98Kgu9f4zDzEjPoQnpw7ujhDXqYaIxGKr1bmoDXjn7hySZAAPzKusFYxMn95jnLLu9haG0btFaUt2L5S7XVB7RHe8XUFvUfgzeUab5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","Vice Chair Oblender introduced House Bill 291, which would remove the authority of the Department of Environmental Quality and local pollution control programs to adopt air-quality standards that are more stringent than limits under the Federal Clean Air Act. \"House bill 2 91 removes the authority from the DEQ and the local pollution control programs to set standards or limits that are more stringent than the federal clean air act,\" the sponsor said in opening remarks, adding that the measure \"restores legislative authority to the legislature to determine when something stricter needs to be done.\"

Why it matters: Supporters framed the bill as a measure to ensure consistency and predictability so businesses can rely on a single set of standards. Opponents warned that the change would impede Montana's ability to protect local air quality — particularly fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) from wood-stove smoke and other local sources — and could prevent the state, if needed, from adopting stronger protections to address greenhouse gases or emerging pollutants. Multiple witnesses referenced Montana's constitutional provision (and the recent Held v. Montana litigation) as the basis for state authority to protect a \"clean and healthful environment.\"

Supporters' case: Representatives of industry and business associations supported the bill as a way to avoid a patchwork of local standards. John Iverson of the Treasure State Resources Association said the measure prevents the state from repeating the experience on nutrient standards and avoids \"a patchwork of regulatory enforcement.\" The Montana Chamber of Commerce and Montana Petroleum Association described the bill as providing regulatory certainty; Melissa Lewis of the Petroleum Association said cooperation between DEQ and stakeholders on federal rules (for example, methane monitoring and reporting) can continue under the bill.

Opponents' case and public-health concerns: The Montana Environmental Information Center, Missoula Public Health and public-health professionals cautioned that the bill would limit local and state capacity to address locally specific problems. Missoula Public Health's Shannon Theriault said local programs were often the first line against wood-stove smoke and other particulate problems and that waiting for federal nonattainment designations can be slower and impose more rigid paperwork on communities. Public-health professionals, physicians and environmental groups argued that limiting state/local authority would constrain Montana's ability to act on climate-related and other health risks; several witnesses referenced the Montana Supreme Court's Held v. Montana ruling.

Technical points and scope: The sponsor and DEQ staff clarified that the bill preserves the legislature's authority to adopt stricter standards and that the statute includes a grandfathering clause for preexisting requirements and an exception for areas that are in nonattainment or maintenance for national ambient air quality standards. DNRC/DEQ staff noted the state currently has no active standards that are stricter than the federal Clean Air Act in the counties with local air programs. The bill as written would affect DEQ's discretion to initiate rulemaking that would exceed federal standards; DEQ Director Sonya Nowakowski testified as an informational witness and said DEQ does not intend to regulate greenhouse gases at this time.

Stakeholder geography and specifics: Testimony named eight counties with local air pollution control programs — Missoula, Lincoln, Lewis and Clark, Butte-Silver Bow, Ravalli, Yellowstone, Cascade and Flathead — and local health officials described wood-stove smoke episodes and inversion-prone valleys where smaller-scale regulations have been used to limit particulate exposure.

Committee questions and next steps: Committee members asked whether the state or county programs had historically used the authority to adopt stricter standards (witnesses said it is rare and requires a rigorous justification process) and whether DEQ intended to regulate greenhouse gases (DEQ said it did not intend to do so). The hearing record shows extensive proponent and opponent testimony; the transcript does not record a committee vote on HB 291 in this session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Natural Resources 2025-01-31","oneSentenceSummary","Vice Chair Oblender introduced House Bill 291 to bar the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and approved local pollution control programs from adopting air-quality standards more stringent than the Federal Clean Air Act.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6353370,"Committee hears $100 million proposal to create Montana Water Development special revenue account",3160,85000,3245000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221367-11cb974d46a84787207a8a76e10a0971&start=85&end=3245","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221367-11cb974d46a84787207a8a76e10a0971/thumbnail_85000.jpg","/articles/6353370/Montana/Committee-hears-100-million-proposal-to-create-Montana-Water-Development-special-revenue-account","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353370-ea47f517254661a9095c22169b04a99a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775736837&Signature=BTMA6WQs4O4YksOspIj3p6MNVEo03mO7QZdoLBQsmgFS3m5dqH0cn6DF-mhwRmEjAv99vj~T5KRdIFNT5yC07OYKf9UuJfYHfJELemjm11YLY7NWotK~h2Nr9ZiLcpBRuOEbMrw-o0liQpupu27MNSNaJ~R7KCWO2wxfwyKAN1DIMmoBRhndELb~USTxyonWOWMhzqn1om6ouP23uXsG~Q-SqyM1T0lXiBnQh6KCgFsyiwjs6D3BVF7C0Ukwc8AOshURO9e4rSg9BOX8gRT-I499kIYrmiNDc29HmRz-6r3y3SnQnbN4LV~CHxeTpoYt~h4nqSI61DEWtCx1SDkWaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Sean Walsh opened testimony on House Bill 256, a proposal to create a Montana Water Development special revenue account seeded with a $100,000,000 appropriation so the state can invest a permanent stream of interest earnings in water storage and related needs. \"It is now time to stop discussing and start investing in this critical infrastructure,\" Walsh said in his opening remarks.

Why it matters: Proponents told the House Natural Resources Committee that Montana's existing state-owned storage — 22 dams, roughly 250 miles of irrigation canals and one hydroelectric facility — is aging and that steady, long-term funding is needed for maintenance, rehabilitation and pilot projects that increase storage capacity. The bill would deposit $100 million into a special revenue account; 90% of the annual interest would go to maintenance and rehabilitation of state-owned storage projects, and 10% would fund grants through DNRC's Conservation and Resource Development (CARD) program and cost-share dam inspections.

Proponents and technical detail: Ryan Evans, assistant budget director, testified on behalf of the governor's office and the executive branch and asked the committee for a “do pass.” \"It's a very, very rare occurrence when I get the ability and privilege to testify on behalf of a bill that has the ability to impact every single Montana, both current and future,\" Evans said. Anna Packenham Stevenson, DNRC water resources administrator, told the committee that \"Water storage is what allows us to capture those high spring flows and save them for when they're most needed,\" and outlined why storage matters for drought resiliency.

Witnesses from irrigators and local water users described specific projects and costs. The Flint Creek Water Users Association said the East Fork Reservoir and related canal system supply 37 ranches and roughly 40 miles of canal; the association is contributing about $3,500,000 to an approximately $21,000,000 East Fork Dam spillway replacement and raised unit water charges from $7.75 to $13.93 per unit in 2023 to cover rehabilitation costs. Testimony from the Red Rock Water and Sewer District and others described Lima Dam at full pool storing about 84,000 acre-feet and classified as a high-hazard dam; testimony said five-year inspection costs that in 2004 were about $1,500 are now expected to approach $30,000 for a single inspection.

Scope of eligible projects: Supporters described eligible uses broadly: above- and below-ground storage, \"natural and built\" storage, expansions, rehabilitation, and cost-share assistance for dam inspections under the Montana Dam Safety Act. DNRC staff noted the state operates more than 18,000 water marketing contracts with a total volume reported in testimony as 322,847 acre-feet; proponents said revenue from a now-expired power purchase agreement has reduced power-revenue streams supporting rehabilitation and that the proposed account would help close that gap.

Diverse supporters: Testimony came from irrigation districts, dam and canal associations, nonprofit watershed groups (Clark Fork Coalition), conservation districts, commodity organizations (Montana Stockgrowers, Farm Bureau), consulting engineers, and local governments; nearly all stated support and urged a do-pass recommendation.

Process and limitations: DNRC staff and proponents said the account would be managed so that only interest (not principal) is spent, with a statutory split of interest earnings outlined in sponsor testimony (90% maintenance/rehab for state projects; 10% CARD grants and inspection cost‑share). Representatives asked whether $100 million is \"enough;\" the sponsor and supporters characterized the amount as a start and an opportunity to seed long-term, perpetual interest funding rather than a one-time fix for all needs.

Committee action: The hearing closed with the sponsor requesting a do pass. No formal floor or committee vote on HB 256 is recorded in this hearing transcript; the record shows only the hearing testimony and the committee's question period.","Representative Sean Walsh introduced House Bill 256 to create a Montana Water Development special revenue account seeded with $100,000,000; the bill would use interest earnings to fund maintenance and rehabilitation of state-owned storage and to seed grants and inspection cost‑shares for other storage projects.","actionData","errors"]

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Bill would bar DEQ, local programs from adopting air standards stricter than federal law; proponents cite regulatory certainty, opponents warn of public‑health,

Committee hears $100 million proposal to create Montana Water Development special revenue account