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

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…