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Montana legislative session for 2011 is over! What became law.
SB 184
Passed House: 75 Yeas and 22 Nays; Passed Senate: 38 Yeas and 12 Nays; Signed by Governor
Primary Sponsor: Kendall Van Dyk
SB 184 changes current law to permit "the use of bows and arrows AND OTHER HUNTING ARMS" to hunt wild buffalo in Montana. Director Joe Maurier, Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks said the Commission already has authority to permit bow and arrow hunting of buffalo, and that passing SB 184 into law would make it mandatory for the Commission to offer bow and arrow hunting of buffalo.
Audio and video for hearings and floor debates on SB 184 is online:
http://leg.mt.gov/css/bills/11BillCentric.asp?BillNumber=SB184
All bill info:
http://laws.leg.mt.gov/laws11/LAW0210w$BSIV.ActionQuery?P_BILL_DFT_NO5=LC1190&Z_ACTION=Find
SB 207
Passed Senate as Amended: 39 Yeas and 11 Nays; Passed House 87 Yeas and 8 Nays; Signed by Governor
Primary Sponsor: Frederick "Eric" Moore (Original requester: Wendy Warburton)
At the request of Governor Schweitzer, SB 207 was amended to add shoot buffalo on sight authority: "The department may, following consultation with the department of livestock, adopt rules to authorize the taking of bison where and when necessary to prevent the transmission of a contagious disease." (This amendment was also added to SB 212). SB 207 defines domestic bison, feral bison or wild bison not reduced to captivity. "Feral bison" means a domestic bison or progeny of a domestic bison that has escaped or been released from captivity and is running at large and unrestrained on public or private land." SB 207 sets up a "permit and inspection system for transportation of bison" and gives the Dept. of Livestock authority to "adopt rules imposing a permit and inspection system for the transportation of bison into and out of counties and into and out of the state for the purposes of tracking movement of animals and collecting per capita assessments."
Audio and video for hearings and floor debates on SB 207 is online:
http://leg.mt.gov/css/bills/11BillCentric.asp?BillNumber=SB207
All bill info:
http://laws.leg.mt.gov/laws11/LAW0210w$BSIV.ActionQuery?P_BILL_DFT_NO5=LC1050&Z_ACTION=Find
SB 212
Passed Senate: 43 Yeas and 7 Nays; Passed House: 91 Yeas and 8 Nays; Signed by Governor
Primary Sponsor: Rick Ripley (Original requester: Wendy Warburton)
SB 212 says Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks "may adopt rules with regard to wild buffalo or bison that have not been exposed to or infected with a contagious disease but are in need of management because of potential damage to person or property" and may not release, transplant, or allow wild buffalo or bison on any private or public land in Montana that has not been authorized for that use by the private or public owner." SB 212 dictates a plan must be adopted prior to releasing or translocating buffalo and any state plan MUST include compliance with animal health protocols, "animal identification and tracking", "any fencing required", and containment measures "in designated areas," contingency plans to relocate escaped bison or "eliminate or decrease the size of designated areas", establish a "maximum carrying capacity for any proposed designated area", and identify long term funding sources. SB 212 makes Fish, Wildlife & Parks liable for any costs incurred for damages to private property and protecting public safety.
Audio and video for hearings and floor debates on SB 212 is online:
http://leg.mt.gov/css/bills/11BillCentric.asp?BillNumber=SB212
All bill info:
http://laws.leg.mt.gov/laws11/LAW0203W$BSRV.ActionQuery?P_BLTP_BILL_TYP_CD=&P_BILL_NO=&P_BILL_DFT_NO=LC1052&Z_
ACTION=Find&P_SBJ_DESCR=&P_SBJT_SBJ_CD=&P_LST_NM1=&P_ENTY_ID_SEQ=
Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer has vowed to veto numerous bills that would harm America's last wild buffalo. Hold him to his promise.
A handful of bills that would harm the wild integrity of America's last wild buffalo are quickly moving through the Montana legislature. Governor Schweitzer has publicly stated that he will veto these bills, and we the people must encourage him to do so. Learn more about these harmful bills below and how you can help by taking action for wild buffalo today!
TAKE ACTION!
Governor Schweitzer has vetoed two harmful bills - HB 318 and SB 237 - for which he deserves our thanks.
Editing the sample letter below, in your own words please ask Governor Schweitzer to veto SB 212.
Remind Governor Schweitzer that the tragedy currently befalling America's last wild buffalo in Montana is an issue of national significance and an attack on our natural heritage. It is important that you let him know why Montana's wild lands and wildlife matter to you, and remind him that tourism brings $3 billion to Montana's economy every year - with wildlife viewing alone bringing in nearly $100 million dollars in revenue!
* Contact Governor Schweitzer *
Brian D. Schweitzer, Office of the Governor
Montana State Capitol Building
P.O. Box 200801 Helena, MT 59620-0801
(406) 444-3111 Phone
(406) 444-5529 Fax
governor@mt.gov
Please get involved and spread the word to save America's last wild buffalo herd!
Governor Schweitzer VETO SB 212!
Please hold true to your word and veto SB 212. The amendments you have made to SB 212 keeps intact domestication mandates including corralling, testing, identification tags and tracking, and fencing in designated zones. Worst of all - Schweitzer proposes that Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks have "shoot on sight" authority, which is unacceptable.
I strongly oppose SB 212, and I do not support domestication mandates you left in place that treat buffalo like livestock and prevent wild buffalo from freely occupying their original habitat. SB 212 must be rejected in its entirety.
The tragedy currently befalling America's last wild buffalo in Montana is an issue of national significance and an attack on the natural heritage of all Americans.
Tourism brings $3 billion to Montana's economy every year and Montana's park gateway communities are visited by over 3,640,000 people - with buffalo among the top wildlife to see. Wildlife viewing in Montana contributes nearly $100,000,000 in revenues.
Seventy percent of Montanans favor the restoration of wild bison in Montana, according to a recent poll by Moore Information. In Montana, and across the United States, people want American buffalo roaming free. Montana stands in a unique position to become the only state in the U.S. that could boast a wild, free-roaming population of American buffalo! That is powerful, and something Montana could be very proud of.
These are just a few of the facts signifying that the restoration of wild buffalo in Montana is supported by the state, the country, and strongly benefits Montana's economy. For these reasons alone it is critical that you veto the anti-buffalo bills.
Thank you. I look forward to hearing that you took right action by vetoing harmful bills from becoming law.
GOVERNOR VETOED HB 318 would have ceded state power and regulatory authority over wild buffalo in Montana to county commissioners - requiring county commissioners' approval before the Department of Livestock or Fish, Wildlife & Parks may permit "transplantation or relocation" of any wild buffalo or buffalo certified "brucellosis-free" in Montana counties. HB 318 also seeks to gain control over buffalo on Tribal lands: "Acquisition of wild buffalo or bison by a qualified tribal entity must be done in consultation with" and with the approval of "county commissioners... in a manner that does not jeopardize compliance with a... livestock disease control program."
RETURNED BY GOVERNOR WITH AMENDMENTS SB 174 would prohibit spending Montana tax dollars "to relocate or transplant wild buffalo" on Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area, near Avon, west of Helena. According to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: "The primary goal of Montana's Wildlife Management Areas is to maintain vital wildlife habitat for the protection of species and the enjoyment of the public." All too often cattle are grazed on these habitats purchased by all Montanans for their wildlife habitat values. Please oppose the precedent of excluding buffalo from Wildlife Management Areas.
Download Governor Schweitzer's proposed amendments to SB 174 (PDF 68k) requiring an environmental analysis, public hearings and management plan prepared by the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
GOVERNOR SIGNED INTO LAW SB 184 changes current law to permit "the use of bows and arrows and other hunting arms" to hunt wild buffalo in Montana. Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks Director Joe Maurier said the Commission already has authority to permit bow and arrow hunting of buffalo, and that passing SB 184 into law would make it mandatory for the Commission to offer bow and arrow hunting of buffalo. NO HABITAT! NO HUNT!
RETURNED BY GOVERNOR WITH AMENDMENTS SB 212 would legislate the ecological extinction of wild American buffalo in Montana by managing them like animals on a game farm. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks "may not release, transplant, or allow wild buffalo or bison on any private or public land in Montana that has not been authorized for that use by the private or public owner." SB 212 dictates any state plan MUST include "animal identification," tracking, "fencing" in designated areas, removal methods, "measures to maintain existing uses of state and federal land, including livestock grazing," contingency plans to relocate escaped bison or "eliminate or decrease the size of designated areas," and establish a "maximum carrying capacity for any proposed designated area."
Download Governor Schweitzer's proposed amendments to SB 212 (PDF 106k) which leaves intact domestication mandates including corralling, testing, identification tags and tracking, and fencing in designated zones. Worst of all - Schweitzer proposes "shoot on sight" authority.
GOVERNOR VETOED SB 237 requires costly and invasive measures be taken against native elk and buffalo in the event that brucellosis infected cattle. Mandates Montana's veterinarian "enforce the provisions of 81-2-120 in a manner that ensures that the risk of additional transmission from wild buffalo or bison to livestock is eliminated or minimized as much as possible" and "develop brucellosis surveillance and prevalence reduction procedures for the wildlife species identified as the source of transmission within the area affected." Montana taxpayers would pick up the costs for any "surveillance and prevalence reduction" measures taken. Wild buffalo have never transmitted brucellosis to cattle. Brucellosis was originally introduced by cattle and infected native elk and buffalo in the Yellowstone ecosystem nearly a century ago.
Please get involved and spread the word to save America's last wild buffalo herd!
BUFFALO FIELD CAMPAIGN TESTIMONY TO MONTANA LEGISLATURE 2011
Buffalo Field Campaign testimony on SB 144
Buffalo Field Campaign testimony on SB 148
Buffalo Field Campaign testimony on SB 174
Buffalo Field Campaign testimony on SB 184
Buffalo Field Campaign testimony on SB 207
Buffalo Field Campaign testimony on SB 212
Buffalo Field Campaign testimony on HB 214
Buffalo Field Campaign testimony on HB 318
Buffalo Field Campaign testimony on HB 482
CONTACT MONTANA LEGISLATORS TODAY!
Identify and make contact with your Montana legislators through this link (click on the area where you reside): http://nris.mt.gov/gis/legislat/2011/
Call and contact Montana legislators via this number: (406) 444-4800.
Please get involved and spread the word to save America's last wild buffalo herd!
CONTACT COMMITTEE MEMBERS TODAY!
CLICK ON THE NAME OF THE LEGISLATOR TO JUMP TO THEIR CONTACT PAGE
Senate Fish and Game
John Brenden, Chair
Joe Balyeat, Vice Chair
Debby Barrett
Tom Facey
Steven Gallus
Greg Hinkle
Larry Jent
Jim Shockley
Art Wittich
Bradley Hamlett
Joe Kolman, Legislative Branch Staffer
406-444-9280
Kevin McCue, Secretary
406-444-7363
Senate Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation
Donald J Steinbeisser, Chair
Taylor Brown, Vice Chair
Gary Branae
Bob Hawks
Rowlie Hutton
Cliff Larsen
Terry Murphy
Rick Ripley
Sharon Stewart-Peregoy
Jonathan Windy Boy
Frederick "Eric" Moore
Sue O'Connell, Legislative Branch Staffer
406-444-3597
Prudence Gildroy, Secretary
406-444-4759
House Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Ted Washburn, Chair
Jeffery W Welborn, Vice Chair
Mike Phillips, Vice Chair
Mike Miller
Ken Peterson
Pat Connell
Kelly Flynn
Cleve J Loney
Dan Skattum
Max Yates
Jesse O'Hara
Bill Harris
Douglas (Doug) Kary
Dan Kennedy
Austin Knudsen
Carlie Boland
Robyn Driscoll
Jean Price
Franke Wilmer
Virginia Court
Hope Stockwell, Legislative Branch Staffer
406-444-1640
Cara Gold, Secretary
406-444-4832
House Agriculture
Krayton Kerns, Chair
Bob Wagner, Vice Chair
Timothy Furey, Vice Chair
Lee Randall
Brian Hoven
David Howard
Sterling Small
Joanne G Blyton
Daniel R Salomon
Steve Fitzpatrick
Jonathan McNiven
Joe Read
Alan Hale
Christy Clark
Lila Walter Evans
Margaret (Margie) MacDonald
Edith (Edie) McClafferty
Pat Noonan
Carolyn Pease-Lopez
Frank Smith
Kathleen Williams
Dave Bohyer, Legislative Branch Staffer
406-444-3592
Lauren Head, Secretary
406-444-4872 |
