Presentation on 2021 Montana Legislative Session and water-related bills for CFC Water Watchdogs: Feb. 10, 2021
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Presentation on 2021 Montana Legislative Session and water- related bills for CFC Water Watchdogs: Feb. 10, 2021
www.clarkfork.org @clarkforkcoalition
Agenda for tonight: •Lobbying Refresher •Bills We’re Tracking: • HB 170: Revises laws to benefit “green hydrogen.” This bill proposes troubling exemptions to Montana’s Major Facilities Siting Act and provides significant tax breaks for any gas-fired power plant that uses as little as 8% hydrogen. TRACKING • SB 164: Weakens Montana Water Quality Standards. Information and talking points available at clarkfork.org/learn/2021-montana-legislature. TABLED • SB 136: Weakens Water Protections From Hard Rock Mining. This bill limits the Department of Natural Resource (DNRC) review of impacts from new water rights, prohibiting it from considering demands such as in-stream flow to maintain stream health and water quality. PASSED as Amended. • Exempt Wells 101
How a Bill becomes a Law The more steps a bill takes through the process, the more opportunities for it to stall, be killed, or gain support. Each step is an opportunity for powerful grassroots advocates to influence the process. Most threats to clean water come through the Senate or House Natural resources Committee. Senate NR Committee: Monday, Wed, @3:00 pm House NR Committee: Mon, Wed. @3:00 pm Tune in to Committee meetings here : http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00309/Harmony/en
House and Senate
•In committee
• Testify at a hearing : https://leg.mt.gov/public-
testimony/
Best Times to • Submit written testimony: https://leg.mt.gov/public-
testimony/
Speak Up! • Contact the committee:
• https://leg.mt.gov/web-messaging/
• Phone message : 406.444.4800 ( for up to 5
legislators or a committee)
•Ahead of reading on the floor:
• contact your legislator :
https://leg.mt.gov/legislator-lookup/
•Don’t forget: There is always room to influence
the public narrative!Phone Call:
•“Hi, my name is ____ and my zip code is____. I’m calling
today about bill#____ and I’d like to urge you to support/
oppose bill # ___ because. Thank you for your time.”
Methods of Email:
Contact: • Send one of your own or use one of CFC’s templates (we’ll
send then to you!)
Request a meeting:
•By calling your legislator
Provide testimony: https://leg.mt.gov/public-testimony/
•If you want to testify remotely you must register on the legislative
services website by 12 pm (noon) the day before the hearing.
•If testifying via Zoom you cannot share your video feed, committee
members will hear your voice only. You will raise your hand to signal
you are ready to testify.
•We recommend submitting a written copy of your testify, even if you
plan to call or Zoom in!Best Practices for Communicating with Legislators:
•Introduce yourself, and provide the spelling of your
last name.
Contacting Your •Refer to the bill by its name and number
Elected officials •Make your comment personal and specific.
• Include your name, address, and a little about who you are (for example,
where you work or what school you attend).
• Let them know if you live in or near their district and are their constituent.
◦ Explain your position on the bill and ask for the legislator’s support or
opposition.
◦ Give any sources of information that you use to make your point.
•Keep your comments brief and to the point.
•Be civil and professional- a thank you goes a long
way.If you missed this presentation:
More •A video of the bill updates and “Exempt Well
information 101” presentation is available here:
https://youtu.be/k9YwlJhgFZs.
•Montana Legislative Session Information Page:
excellent one-stop-shop for all your legislative
needs! https://leg.mt.gov/
•CFC Legislative Session page:
clarkfork.org/learn/2021-montana-
legislature/www.clarkfork.org @clarkforkcoalition
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