2023 Legislative Session
During the 2023 Legislative Session, MACD is focused on supporting an increase in CD funding through (1) increasing the appropriation to the CD Account within the DNRC Budget and (2) securing a stable funding source to support an increased appropriation. MACD also supports project and funding for CDs. Furthermore, MACD’s Legislative Committee is actively working on several other issues based on resolutions submitted during 2022 Convention, specifically nepotism in low population counties as well as the impacts of bird dog training on state lands. MACD is also tracking key legislation that may impact conservation districts or areas that conservation districts work on.
As the statewide association, MACD only testifies on bills, resolutions, or other policy issues if it: (1) Directly relates to a MACD Resolution (voted on and passed by membership at our annual convention), or (2) Is voted on by the MACD Legislative Committee. If there are divergent opinions across districts, MACD will often remain in a ‘monitor’ or ‘informational’ status. . Any contentious issues may be moved from the Legislative Committee to the full MACD Board for a vote.
Additionally, any legislation that MACD has a stance on is placed on the MACD Bill Tracker spreadsheet.
OVERVIEW
This document contains general information about CD Funding, a copy of the draft bill, and a table that describes current conservation district funding gaps.
RESOURCES
Use this map to find the legislative district(s) that overlap with your District’s service area. You can also find contact information for both your Senator and Representative by clicking on your district.
You can find contact information for all legislators on the 2023 Legislative Roster.
This is an excel sheet of all legislator emails.
MACD put together a guide to help conservation districts with speaking to the Montana Legislature.
You can request to testify remotely here. There are directions on how to find your committee and bill. Please reach out to MACD if you need further assistance. TEMPORARY TIME CHANGE – By 10PM the day before the hearing, you will be able to submit your written testimony, write a brief message, or request a Zoom link to testify in the bill hearing.
Document that describes the impact of Conservation Districts in Montana.
The MACD Bill Tracker spreadsheet is updated at least weekly, prior to the Tuesday Legislative Committee meetings.
PAST & UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE EVENTS
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LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MINUTES
During the Legislation Session, the MACD Legislative Committee meets weekly on Tuesdays at 7am via zoom. Please contact rebecca@macdnet.org if you would like to join and have not received a link through one of the ListServs or District Dispatch.
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ARCHIVED TALKING POINTS (FROM PREVIOUS HEARINGS)
This handout provides background information on conservation districts and outlines the projected financial impact of HB 321 if passed.
Document to assist with Section C Subcommittee talking points. Background, what the committee knows, support statement, talking points, and additional details.
Policy News
LATEST
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…
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,…
Summary of CD Funding from 2021 – 2022
At the final meeting of the 2021/2022 Environmental Quality Council (EQC) in September – and as a culmination of MACD’s HJ27 CD Funding Study Bill – the EQC voted to move the proposed CD funding bill forward into the 2023 session. You can view the bill in the Legislative Overview Document: Conservation Districts in the 2023 Legislative Session (pdf).
As written, the proposed CD funding legislation would annually provide a total of $6 million dollars of funding into the Conservation District Account (CDA), nearly doubling currently available funds. This funding would come from a combination of coal tax dollars and marijuana tax funding.
