Here's a quick update on the status of bison legislation migrating (and not) through the Montana Legislature, and a bit on the money and influences behind the sponsors.

SB 353 - transfer neutered wild bison to tribal organizations (this bill has got legs and its moving)
* Sponsored by Sen. Gerald Pease from Lodge Grass, affiliated with the Crow
* Sen. Pease had no donors listed as contributors to his campaign: http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200426&c=401696
* Passed Senate Natural Resources committee on 5-4 vote
* 3rd and final reading in the Senate passed 41 to 9
* Transmitted to the House; no assignment yet on which committee will hear the bill
click here for the latest vote: http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2005/Votes/s0448.txt

SB 91 - allocation of special wild buffalo licenses to Montana Indian tribes (this bill has got legs and its moving)
* Sponsored by Sen. Frank Smith from Poplar, affiliated with the Assiniboine and Sioux
* The names of Sen. Smith's top donors can be found here: http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200426&c=401730
* Amended bill passed Senate Fish and Game committee on 8-1 vote
* 3rd and final reading in the Senate passed 43-6
* Referred to the House Fish Wildlife & Parks committee; no hearing date set yet
click here for the latest vote: http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2005/Votes/s0335.txt

HJR 22 - joint resolution on bison management naming APHIS as lead agency to eradicate brucellosis from elk and bison (this bill has got legs and its moving)
* Sponsored by Rep. Jim Peterson from Buffalo, affiliated with the Montana Stockgrowers Association (10 years), National Cattleman's Beef Association, US Meat Export Association, Montana Grain Growers
* The names of Rep. Peterson's top donors can be found here: http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200426&c=401699
* Amended resolution passed House Agriculture committee on 16-4 vote Feb 18
* 3rd and final reading in the House passed 72-27
* Transmitted to the Senate
click here for the vote: http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2005/Votes/H043039.txt

HB 544 - wild bison recovery and conservation (this bill is KILLED for now; the only way to resurrect it is to amend it to another bill moving through the Legislature)
* Sponsored by Rep. Brady Wiseman, software engineer
* The names of Rep. Wiseman's top donors can be found here: http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/candidate.phtml?si=200426&c=401782
* House Fish Wildlife & Parks committee deadlocked on a 10-10 vote.
* Effort to move the bill to the floor for a vote failed 50-49 (3/5 vote required)
click here for the vote: http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2005/Votes/h042087.txt The best place to start online to find out current information on a bill's status is here: http://laws.leg.state.mt.us/pls/laws05/law0203w$.startup

If you want to find out who is bankrolling political candidates and causes in Montana (or any other state) check this link out: http://www.followthemoney.org/index.phtml

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