House Ag Committee advances Farm Bill

(via NASCA) The U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee passed its version of the Farm Bill on May 23. The bill passed on a vote of 33-21, with four Democrats voting in favor. CLICK HERE to view the House language. A Title by Title Summary can be found on the House Ag Committee webpage. House […]

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CDs Present to WPIC on Water Storage

On March 18th, CDs presented to the Water Policy Interim Committee (WPIC) on the topic of water storage. Sheridan, Madison, Phillips, and Lewis & Clark presented ongoing projects, potential projects, and ideas for water storage across the state moving forward. Districts covered a range of topics during their short presentations, including: groundwater monitoring and management, […]

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License required for training bird dogs using birds not raised in captivity

During the 2023 Legislative Session, MACD worked on SB 280, focused on licenses for bird dog training, which related directly to MACD relation Resolution 22-07 from Daniels CD. The season below was determined by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission. (Repost from Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks) Training season with wild birds on public lands […]

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Governor Gianforte signs HB 321 – CD Funding Bill

At the end of May, Governor Gianforte signed HB 321, which will create and, over the next 5-6 years fill, a $100 million trust for conservation districts. Starting in FY 2024, conservation districts will begin benefitting of interest accrued from the CD Fund. Funds will flow to the existing Conservation District Account, administered by the […]

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HB 321 Passes the Legislature!

Last night HB 321 passed its final legislative vote in the House and is headed to the Governor’s desk! Governor Gianforte will sign HB 321 in the coming days. HB 321 passed in the final hours of the 2023 Legislative Session, as yesterday afternoon the Senate voted to sine die (adjourn the session), followed by a sine […]

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Last day to support CD Funding through HB 321!

Tell the House Appropriations Committee to Support HB 321 HB 321: Generally revise laws related to the coal trust (create trust to fund CDs) – Sponsored by Rep. Reksten HB 321 would benefit both CDs and school districts. HB 321 would create a trust for CDs (which would sit within Coal Trust). Over the next 5-6 years, this trust […]

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Critical Action Alert! Tell the House Appropriations Committee to Support HB 321

HB 321: Generally revise laws related to the coal trust (create trust to fund CDs) – Sponsored by Rep. Reksten HB 321 would benefit both CDs and school districts. HB 321 would create a trust for CDs (which would sit within Coal Trust). Over the next 5-6 years, this trust would fill to $100 million dollars, creating a permanent […]

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HB 295 Passes House Unanimously and Transmitted to the Senate

HB 295 (Revise Nepotism Laws Related to Small Communities) passed out of the House Local Government Committee unanimously, and went on to pass on the House floor unanimously. HB 295 is based off of Resolution 22-03 brought forward by Petroleum County CD and passed at the 2022 MACD Annual Convention. Petroleum Chair Jay King has […]

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CD Funding Update

SB 28 (Marijuana Tax Funding) had a hearing on 2/13 and is awaiting Executive Action. Potential amendments are forthcoming. Section C – CD Budget: There was Executive Action on 2/17. Following guidance from the Budget Director’s Office, Section C approved an appropriate of +$750k in FY 2024 and +$1.5 million in FY 2025 (increased from […]

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