Committee tables bill that would let counties make conservation-district planning-board seats optional

Representative Steve Kelly introduced House Bill 782 as a technical cleanup intended to give county commissioners flexibility in appointing planning-board members by changing a statutory 'must' to 'may' for conservation-district membership on county planning boards. "This bill still allows for a conservation district member to be seated at the table but does not require it," Representative Kelly said.

Proponents—county commissioners and planning-board officials such as Randy Bridal and Jeff Larson—said the change would allow counties to appoint full, functioning boards when conservation-district appointees are not available, avoiding delays and vacancies. Jeff Larson, chair of the Flathead County Planning Board, said counties often struggle to secure conservation district members and need flexibility to maintain quorum and board function.

Opponents, including Rebecca Boslow King of the Montana Association of Conservation Districts and local conservation-district supervisors, argued the change would strip a locally elected, statutory voice from planning decisions. Boslow King said conservation districts are legislative-authorized soil-and-water conservation authorities and "a form of local government" with elected supervisors who bring expertise crucial to land-use decisions.

During executive action the committee debated a motion to pass HB 782 but then adopted a substitute motion to table the bill. The clerk recorded a roll-call showing 14 ayes and 3 nos; the chair announced the bill is tabled.

Next steps: HB 782 was tabled in executive action; sponsors and opponents may pursue clarifying options in the interim.