Montana bill would require legislature to approve greenhouse-gas administrative rules

Summary

Rep. Curtis Schomer's HB 630 would bar agencies from adopting administrative rules on greenhouse gases or the social cost of carbon without later legislative approval; environmental groups and climate advocates testified it would hinder agencies' ability to protect public health and the environment.

Representative Curtis Schomer, sponsor of House Bill 630, told the House Natural Resources Committee the bill would require the Legislature to approve agency administrative rules that regulate greenhouse gas emissions and the social cost of carbon.

The bill’s sponsor said administrative rules can carry the same weight as laws but are written by unelected agency officials. "The decision to adopt these types of rules should be a legislative decision," Representative Curtis Schomer said in opening testimony, arguing the Montana Constitution assigns the Legislature responsibility for the mechanism to protect a clean and healthful environment.

The bill drew opposition from environmental groups and climate advocates. Derf Johnson, representing the Montana Environmental Information Center, said agencies already must act within statutory limits and are subject to legislative checks and interim objection processes. "This bill…

Montana bill would require legislature to approve greenhouse-gas administrative rules

Summary

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