Key Legislative Priorities for the 2025 Session
The 2025 Montana Legislative Session is in full swing, and decisions made in Helena could have a lasting impact on water quality, ecosystem health, and our quality of life in the Flathead Watershed. We're closely tracking key legislation—supporting measures that protect our waters and opposing those that put them at risk. Below, you'll find a breakdown of the most important bills and where they stand.
Bills We Support
HB 242: Increase fines and penalties for AIS Check station violators
Raises fines for AIS violators, specifically those that fail to stop at roadside AIS check stations.
HB 242 will have a second hearing in the House Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Committee soon. Let your representatives know that preventing the introduction of Aquatic Invasive Species in the Flathead Watershed deserves their support.
HB 160: Repeal uniform auxiliary container regulation
Sponsor: Ed Stafman (D, Bozeman)
Repeals a Montana law that prohibits local governments from regulating single-use plastics.
Restores local control to reduce plastic waste in our waterways.
The First Hearing for HB 160 occurred on January 16 in the House Local Government Committee. No further hearings are currently scheduled.
HB 180: Revise sanitation laws in subdivisions
Strengthens wastewater management requirements for new subdivisions to protect water quality.
Balances property development with environmental sustainability.
Reinforces that local boards of health must adhere to state standards regarding sewage control and disposal.
HB 180 was passed by the House Local Government Committee and has been transmitted to the Montana Senate.
LC 1971: Eliminate the Use of Styrofoam in Food Related Businesses
Promotes environmental sustainability by phasing out polystyrene foam in food-related industries.
No hearings have been scheduled for this draft legislation yet.
HB 290: Regulate sales of certain products containing PFAS (forever chemicals)
Prohibits the sale of firefighting equipment and personal products that contain PFAS.
Perfluoralkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are known health hazards that cause cancer, immune disorders, organ disease, and reproductive problems. They are called “forever chemicals” because they do not biodegrade and will persist in our environment for thousands of years.
Allowing PFAS in firefighting foam means over a million gallons of hazardous forever chemicals containing fluids are dumped directly into the environment each year.
Bills We Are Monitoring
SB 168: Revise Lakeshore Protection Permits
Updates lakeshore protection enforcement, giving local or state entities a three year window to take action.
Allows exemptions from permitting for minor activities, and clarifies protections and exceptions regarding lakeshore structures.
We are monitoring this bill to ensure it aligns with long-term shoreline protections.
Aims to ensure that such contributions are used as intended by the donor.
Places new compliance obligations on nonprofits, requiring careful management of endowment agreements and donor relationships.
DNRC no longer would have to prepare a technical analysis to approve a new permit and/or change in water rights appropriation.
Remove the 30 day public comment period and allow the department to set its own timeline for public comment in this process.
HB 48: Exempting dams used in public sewage systems from provisions of the Dam Safety Act
Removing dam safety provisions could increase risks if alternative oversight mechanisms are insufficient.
Ensuring coordination between agencies like the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is critical to the success of this effort.
Would also remove the 30 day public comment period and allow the department to set its own timeline for public comment in this process.
Could enhance local government authority, improve public notice requirements, and streamline zoning and development application processes.
Bills of Concern
SB 146: Private Property Protection Act
Enables corporations and bad actors to sue local governments and state agencies to overturn regulations.
Allows anyone to challenge new or existing planning, zoning, subdivision, or Land Use Planning Act regulations. The government must then prove the regulation is narrowly tailored to protect public health and safety and that no alternative exists.
Contact your State Senator and urge them to vote no on this bill today!
HB 285: Would revise laws related to the Montana Environmental Policy Act
Limits MEPA’s influence on environmental regulations by reinforcing its procedural nature, restricting legal challenges, and preventing agencies from blocking projects based on MEPA analysis alone.
Likely to benefit industries seeking permits but could weaken environmental protections by reducing MEPA’s ability to prevent ecological harm before it occurs.
SB 209: Revisions to conservation easements in Montana
Eliminating perpetual easements could make it harder to secure permanent land conservation protections for critical ecosystems and wildlife habitats.
Many conservation groups and federal programs require permanent easements to provide funding—this change could reduce available funding for landowners who want to protect their land.
Good News! SB 209 was tabled in the Senate Judiciary Committee after dozens of conservation groups, including the Flathead Lakers, and private citizens testified about the negative potential effects of this bill.
Your voice is critical in shaping Montana’s environmental policies. Please take a moment to contact your legislators and advocate for clean water and responsible land use.
Thank you for standing with the Flathead Lakers in protecting our waters!