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 321 (CD Coal Trust Funding) will be considered in March

This morning, the House Appropriations Committee voted to bring HB 321 off the table and added a small amendment. You can read the amendment here, which would appropriate $1000 in additional grant funds to the Coal Board. This small change will mean that HB 321 now qualifies as an appropriations bill. Therefore, HB 321 will […]

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Action Alert: SB 28 (CD Funding)

Critical Action Alert  SB 28: Provide funding for conservation districts (from marijuana tax dollars) – Sponsored by Sen. Lang SB 28 will be up for a vote on the Senate floor this week (likely Tues or Wed). SB 28 is the bill that came out of the Environmental Quality Council (EQC) and would use marijuana tax dollars to […]

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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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Call to Action: Please submit testimony on SB 28 (CD Funding from marijuana tax dollars)

Earlier today, SB 28 Scheduled for Senate Finance and Claims on Monday 2/13 at 3pm SB 28, which would provide additional funding for districts through marijuana tax dollars, was just scheduled for the Senate Finance and Claims Committee on Monday at 3pm. MACD is asking districts to email or call Senators on the committee, or [...]

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Two key pieces of CD Legislation are in Committee this week. WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Comments from CD boards or individual supervisors will be critical to moving both bills forward! Critical Action Alert  HB 321: Generally revise laws related to the coal trust A key Conservation District funding bill (HB 321) will be up in House Taxation on Wednesday (2/1) at 8am.  If you would like to come to Helena to testify in […]

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Upcoming testimony in support of CD Funding

January 25th: Testimony on CD Account BudgetThe Conservation District Budget will be in front of the Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee (Section C) starting at 9am (time subject to change). This will be an opportunity for Conservation Districts to provide brief testimony in front of the committee.  Not able to attend? Please sign up to testify via zoom or send […]

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Schedule: Jan 23-25

Monday, January 23 Events Get together & Testimony Prep for those already in town 4:30 PM – 6:30PM MACD Office: 1101 11th Ave Drinks and light snacks will be provided. Tuesday, January 24 Events MACD Legislative Committee via Zoom 7:00 – 8:00 AM Those in town are welcome to attend the meeting at MACD CD […]

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Public Comment on CD Budget – now on Jan 25th

Public comment on the CD Account Budget (within DNRC) will now take place on Wednesday January 25th (as opposed to the 23rd). In light of this, the CDAC meeting has also been moved.  A detailed agenda for the 24th and 25th is forthcoming, as there are a number of meetings and events on those two […]

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Upcoming events and hearings for conservation district funding as of 1/6

Jan 10: Section C (Natural Resources) Budget Committee – Presentation by CD River CouncilsJan 18-20: Section F (Long Range Planning) Budget Committee – Renewable Resource Grant Program (RRGL)Jan 23: Section C (Natural Resources) Budget Committee – DNRC Budget – MACD presents formal request for budget increase and districts testify in supportJan 24: CD Rotunda Day […]

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