CAPITOL MONITOR THE LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION CENTER Volume 20, Number 1 — January 7, 2013 Your “insider’s guide” to the 2013 Legislature elcome to the first issue of MEIC’s Let the games begin Capitol Monitor for the 2013 hen the Legislature convenes legislative session. As usual, you W on Monday, January 7th, we can expect to receive high-quality and expect to hit the ground up-to-date information on the Montana W running. Most seasoned observers Legislative Session. of the legislative process predict it We expect this session will be one of will be similar to the craziness of the the most challenging in MEIC’s 40-year 2011 Legislative Session. If the bill history. We hope that by communicating draft requests already submitted by promptly and frequently with you—our legislators are any indication, many of members—you will be able to participate our environmental laws, public health more effectively in our lobbying efforts. safeguards, and public participation And—no kidding—we need your help. rights will be on the chopping block. Our lobbyists cannot do it alone. Protecting Last session the governor vetoed many of the worst bills. We expect all of those the environment this session will require vetoed bills to be re-introduced. everyone’s efforts. So please use the Capitol Given the attacks, part of MEIC’s Monitor and our website (www.meic.org) response will be providing our members with up-to-the-minute information to get involved. Let’s protect the things that about what’s going on at the Capitol. Our website will be updated daily so you make Montana special. can follow the bills and issues that you care about most. MEIC will also regularly Legislators need to be told over and over publish Capitol Monitor with the most recent information on the important that Montanans want clean air, clean water, upcoming bills and hearings. To follow the session and read the MEIC Blog, go clean energy, and the right to participate in to www.meic.org. government decision making. If they don’t MEIC also invites you to join us during the session to help us lobby during hear from you, it could be that they will one of our Citizen Lobby Days. We will help guide you through the steps you only hear from well-heeled, self-interested need to effectively talk to your legislator about issues that matter to you. Please lobbyists. It’s your choice. sign up for one or all of our citizen lobby days and let us help you protect the environment. Plan to attend one or all on Jan. 24, Feb. 13, Mar. 8 and Apr. 9.

A How-to Guide for Engaging During the 2013 Session MEIC Legislative Bill Tracker Capitol Monitor & Blog Calendar of Events MEIC maintains and regularly updates a On MEIC’s website you can find an MEIC and other environmental Legislative Bill Tracker on our website electronic version of Capitol Monitor organizations will hold “lobby days,” (go to www.meic.org and look under (go to www.meic.org and look under host legislative socials, and schedule “2013 Legislature”) that includes the “Media Center”), as well as a sign- membership meetings across the important legislative proposals that up form to receive Capitol Monitor state to provide legislative updates. could impact Montana’s environment. and other alerts by E-mail. MEIC also MEIC regularly updates our online All of the bills on our bill tracker are maintains a blog (go to www.meic.org events calendar, where you can view categorized by issue, offer an easy- and look under “Media Center”) that has the details of different events (go to to-understand description, list MEIC’s frequent posts about environmental www.meic.org and look under “Get position, and it includes a tool for and energy issues affecting Montana, Involved/Attend an Event”). contacting key legislators. and will include relevant writings on the 2013 Montana Legislative Session. An Advance Peek at the Issues LEADERSHIP OF THE Here are some of the environmental issues likely to be raised this session. 63rd LEGISLATURE CONSTITUTION AND MEPA. We can acquire 15% of their energy from new Officers of the Senate renewable resources by 2015. For example, expect numerous attacks on our President: Jeff Essmann, R-Billings constitutional right to a clean and SB 31 (Sen. Debbie Barrett, R-Dillon), would healthful environment, and our right subvert the renewable energy standard by President Pro Tempore: Debby Barrett, R-Dillon to hold government agencies and large allowing all existing hydropower from corporations accountable when they large dams to be counted as an eligible Majority Leader: Art Wittich, R-Bozeman fail to comply with public health and renewable resource. That would threaten Majority Whips: Eric Moore, R-Miles City environmental laws. In addition, there the feasibility of new renewable energy Janna Taylor, R-Dayton are almost a dozen bills requested to projects. , R-Conrad There will also be attempts to change change the Montana Environmental Minority Leader: Jon Sesso, D-Butte Policy Act – again! policies that promote energy efficiency One bill that has already finished the and energy conservation. Some positive Minority Whip: Robyn Driscoll, D-Billings drafting stage and has been introduced changes may include increasing energy Cliff Larsen, D-Missoula is SB 17 (Sen. , R-Red Lodge). It efficiency tax credits for homeowners and Officers of the House of would amend the Montana Constitution businesses. However, a negative proposed Representatives to say everyone has the right to “use” change includes SB 74 (Sen. Jason Speaker: , R-Somers their property. This language sounds Priest, R-Red Lodge), which undermines a lot like “takings” proposals that have Montana’s Universal System Benefits (USB) Speaker Pro Tempore: Austin Knudsen, R-Culbertson been defeated in previous sessions. It program. USB is a crucial funding source appears that this language is intended for low income weatherization, energy Majority Leader: , to provide people with a constitutional efficiency, and smaller scale renewable R-Bozeman right to use their property, regardless energy projects. Majority Whips: , R-Eureka of how it might impact their neighbors. , R-Billings OIL AND GAS. There are several bill If that is not his goal than his proposed , R-Dillon requests to end or significantly alter the amendment is meaningless as the Christy Clark, R-Choteau oil and gas “tax holiday”, a tax break for Montana Constitution already provides newly producing oil and gas wells for up Minority Leader: , D-Helena a right to acquire, possess, and protect to the first 18 months of production. It Minority Caucus Chair: , property. was originally put in place to incentivize D-Missoula RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY new oil and gas development. With Minority Whips: Margaret MacDonald, CONSERVATION. There will be attempts the recent and rapid increase in the D-Billings during this legislature to roll back the few development of oil and gas in Montana, Edie McClafferty, D-Butte policies that support a clean energy future mostly due to hydraulic fracturing and in Montana. These rollbacks include horizontal drilling, it is obvious that undermining the state Renewable Energy incentives are not necessary. CAPITOL MONITOR Standard that requires public utilities to Capitol Monitor is a publication of the Montana Environmental Information Center designed to keep our members Save this Newsletter informed about environmental issues at the . This issue of Capitol Monitor includes lists of committee assignments and information about how to contact legislators. While this information will all be MEIC President: Roger Sullivan available on our web site (www.meic.org) it will not all be repeated in future MEIC Executive Director: James Jensen newsletters. Please put this issue in some prominent place on your refrigerator or in your “TO DO” pile so that you can refer to it in the future.

And thank YOU for your support! P.O. Box 1184, Helena, MT 59624 MEIC could not do any of its work without your support—helping with our lob- Phone (406)443-2520 bying efforts, paying your membership dues, and making special contributions FAX (406)443-2507 in addition to buying Montana Futures Raffle tickets. Thank you! [email protected] u www.meic.org

2 Capitol Monitor ~ January 3, 2013 CAPITOL MONITOR

2013 Senate Committees* 2013 House Committees*

Natural Resources Shannon Augare (D-Browning) Natural Resources 444-9280 David Halvorson (R-Sidney) MWF, 3 pm, Room 422 Dick Barrett (D-Missoula) MWF, 3 pm, Room 472 Secretary: Molly Ellie Boldman Hill Chair: Chas Vincent (R-Libby) Scott Boulanger (R-Darby) Chair: Jerry Bennett (R-Libby) Miltenberger, (D-Missoula) Vice Chair: John Brenden Sue Malek (D-Missoula) Vice Chair: Pat Connell 444-4264 Sarah Laszloffy (R-Laurel) (R-Scobey) (R-Roundup) (R-Hamilton) (R-Billings) Debby Barrett (R-Dillon) (R-Kalispell) Vice Chair: Virginia Court Local Government (D-Butte) Jennifer Fielder (R-Thompson Falls) (D-Anaconda) (D-Billings) Tu/Th, 3 pm, Room 172 Jerry O’Neill (R-Columbia Falls) Brad Hamlett (D-Cascade) Staff: Leanne Kurtz, 444-3593 Alan Doane (R-Bloomfield) Chair: Liz Bangerter Carolyn Pease-Lopez (D-Billings) (R-Kalispell) Secretary: Charlene Devine, Jenny Eck (D-Helena) (R-Helena) (R-Kalispell) Christine Kaufmann (D-Helena) 444-4610 (R-Great Vice Chair: Steve Fitzpatrick Bridget Smith (D-Wolf Point) (D-Butte) Falls) (R-Great Falls) Kirk Wagoner (R-Montana City) Cliff Larsen (D-Missoula) Judiciary (R-Martinsdale) Vice Chair: Kathy Swanson (R-Havre) Mike Phillips (D-Bozeman) M-F, 8 am, Room 303 (R-Great Falls) (D-Anaconda) Staff: Helen Thigpen, 444- Rick Ripley (R-Wolf Creek) Chair: Terry Murphy Ed Lieser (D-Whitefish) Tom Berry (R-Roundup) 3804 Matthew Rosendale (R-Glendive) (R-Cardwell) Ryan Lynch (D-Butte) Clarena Brockie (D-Harlem) Secretary: Karen Armstrong, Mitch Tropila (D-Great Falls) Vice Chair: Mike Miller (R-Helmville) (D-Butte) 444-1862 Ed Walker (R-Billings) (R-Bozeman) JP Pomnichowski Roger Hagan (R-Great Falls) Staff: Sonja Nowakowski, Shannon Augare (D-Browning) (D-Bozeman) (R-Thomposon Fish, Wildlife, and Parks 444-3078 (D-Great Falls) (R-Sheridan) Falls) Tu/Th, 3 pm, Room 152 Secretary: Mary Kulawick, Scott Boulanger (R-Darby) Wendy Warburton (R-Havre) (R-Kalispell) Chair: Jeffrey Welborn 444-4889 John Brenden (R-Scobey) Kerry White (R-Bozeman) Mary McNally (D-Billings) (R-Dillon) Robyn Driscoll (D-Billings) Kathleen Williams (D-Bozeman) Jonathan McNiven Vice Chair: Doug Kary Energy and Jennifer Fielder (R-Thompson Falls) Staff: Joe Kolman, 444-3747 (R-Huntley) (R-Billings) Telecommunications (D-Bozeman) Secretary: Colleen Dever, David Moore (R-Missoula) Vice Chair: Franke Wilmer Tu/Th, 3 pm, Room 317 Cliff Larsen (D-Missoula) 444-4872 Jerry O’Neill (R-Columbia Falls) (D-Bozeman) Chair: Alan Olson (R-Roundup) Chas Vincent (R-Libby) Casey Schreiner (D-Great (D-Great Falls) Vice Chair: Verdell Jackson Art Wittich (R-Bozeman) Federal Relations, Energy, Falls) Pat Connell (R-Hamilton) (R-Kalispell) Staff: Julianne Burkhardt, and Telecommunications Nicholas Schwaderer (R-Superior) Virginia Court (D-Billings) Ron Arthun (R-Wilsall) 444-4025 MWF, 3 pm, Room 172 Tom Steenberg (D-Missoula) Alan Doane (R-Bloomfield) Robyn Driscoll (D-Billings) Secretary: Pam Schindler, Chair: Keith Regier Nancy Wilson (D-Missoula) Kelly Flynn (R-Townsend) Jeff Essmann (R-Billings) 444-4891 (R-Kalispell) Daniel Zolnikov (R-Billings) Edward Greef (R-Florence) (D-Chinook) Vice Chair: Jesse O’Hara Staff: Ginger Aldrich, Brian Hoven (R-Great Falls) Llew Jones (R-Conrad) Fish and Game (R-Great Falls) 444-4464 (D-Great Falls) Christine Kaufmann (D-Helena) Tu/Th, 3 pm, Room 422 Vice Chair: Mary McNally Secretary: Sally Speer, Ed Lieser (D-Whitefish) Cliff Larsen (D-Missoula) Chair: John Brenden (R-Scobey) (D-Billings) 444-1863 JP Pomnichowski Jason Priest (R-Red Lodge) Vice Chair: Rick Ripley (R-Wolf Tom Berry (R-Roundup) (D-Bozeman) Judiciary Mitch Tropila (D-Great Falls) Creek) Carlie Boland (D-Great Falls) Jean Price (D-Great Falls) M-F, 8 am, Room 137 Chas Vincent (R-Libby) Debby Barrett (R-Dillon) Roger Hagan (R-Great Falls) Ray Shaw (R-Sheridan) Chair: Ed Walker (R-Billings) Tom Facey (D-Missoula) Doug Kary (R-Billings) Bridget Smith (D-Wolf Point) (R-Laurel) Staff: Sonja Nowakowski, Jennifer Fielder (R-Thompson Falls) Austin Knudsen Gordon Vance (R-Bozeman) Vice Chair: Jerry Bennett 444-3078 Brad Hamlett (D-Cascade) (R-Culbertson) Kirk Wagoner (R-Montana City) (R-Libby) Secretary: Julie Emge, Larry Jent (D-Bozeman) Mike Lang (R-Malta) Wendy Warburton Vice Chair: Margie 444-4751 Jim Peterson (R-Buffalo) David Moore (R-Missoula) (R-Bozeman) MacDonald (D-Billings) Fred Thomas (R-Stevensville) Rae Peppers (D-Lame Deer) (R-Bozeman) Mark Blasdel (R-Somers) Local Government Kendall Van Dyk (D-Billings) Tom Steenberg (D-Missoula) Kerry White (R-Bozeman) Virginia Court (D-Billings) MWF, 3 pm, Room 405 Staff: Jason Mohr, 444-1640 Kathy Swanson Staff: Hope Stockwell, Alan Doane (R-Bloomfield) Chair: Ed Buttrey (R-Great Falls) Secretary: Mary Kulawick, (D-Anaconda) 444-9280 Jenny Eck (D-Helena) Vice Chair: Janna Taylor 444-4889 Daniel Zolnikov (R-Billings) Secretary: Marissa Stockton, Clayton Fiscus (R-Billings) (R-Dayton) Staff: Hope Stockwell, 444-1864 *This is only a partial list. Jenifer Gursky (D-Missoula) *This is only a partial list. How to Contact Your Legislators If you do not know who your legislator is, you can search by zip code on Project Vote Smart’s website: www.votesmart.org

By computer: By telephone: By mail: MEIC will regularly offer ways to con- To leave a message for your legislator tact legislators via our 2013 Legislative or for session information, call (406) P.O. Box 200500 Session page and online bill tracker: 444-4800 between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 Helena, MT 59620 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. http://meic.org/issues/2013-mon- Montana House of Representatives tana-legislative-session/ until adjournment on Saturday. You may need to be patient; the line has P.O. Box 200400 Some legislators have private e-mail ac- been understaffed in previous years. Helena, MT 59620 counts listed on the Legislative Roster: www.leg.mt.gov/css/Sessions/62nd/ roster.asp The Legislative Bulletin of the Montana Environmental Information Center 3 MONTANA ENVIRONMENTAL Nonprofit Organization INFORMATION CENTER U.S. Postage PAID Clean & Healthful. It’s your right, our mission. Permit No. 132 P.O. Box 1184 u Helena, MT 59624 Helena, MT

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the 2011 session. He is a graduate of the UM School of Law, and originally originally and Law, of School UM the of graduate a is He session. 2011 the

energy issues. He is beginning his third year at MEIC, having lobbied during during lobbied having MEIC, at year third his beginning is He issues. energy

will be lobbying primarily on oil and gas development and and development gas and oil on primarily lobbying be will Johnson Derf

Science from the College of Forestry and Conservation. and Forestry of College the from Science

in 2006, obtaining a degree in Wildlife Biology with an emphasis in Political Political in emphasis an with Biology Wildlife in degree a obtaining 2006, in

the 2009 and 2011 sessions. Kyla graduated from the Montana of University the from graduated Kyla sessions. 2011 and 2009 the

ficiency issues. She is beginning her fifth year at MEIC, having lobbied during during lobbied having MEIC, at year fifth her beginning is She issues. ficiency

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and mining issues at the legislature. the at issues mining and

from the University of Montana (1980). Jim will focus primarily on clean water water clean on primarily focus will Jim (1980). Montana of University the from

Westminster College in Salt Lake City and holds a B.A. in Political Science Science Political in B.A. a holds and City Lake Salt in College Westminster

has been MEIC’s Executive Director since 1985. He attended attended He 1985. since Director Executive MEIC’s been has Jensen Jim

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session since. She handles a wide range of issues that are important to MEIC MEIC to important are that issues of range wide a handles She since. session

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Program Director. Anne joined MEIC in May 1993, and has lobbied every every lobbied has and 1993, May in MEIC joined Anne Director. Program

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MEIC’s Team at the Capitol the at Team MEIC’s CAPITOL MONITOR CAPITOL