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MontanaHB 29169th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Revise laws related to air quality standards

Sponsored By: Greg Oblander (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Environmental ProtectionFederal GovernmentRule Making

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

State air rules match federal limits

The law stops the department from setting air pollution limits that are stricter than federal rules. Stricter state rules remain only if they were in place before this law or are needed to meet or prevent violations in nonattainment or maintenance areas as approved by the department. The department also cannot adopt rules stricter than comparable federal regulations or guidance. Emergency rules are exempt from this limit.

Local air permit fees stay local

Local air programs can collect permit and registration fees. The money goes into a county special revenue fund. Local programs use it to run permitting and registration work. Businesses that need air permits pay these local fees.

More public input and hearing records

Local air programs must keep an interested-persons list and give at least 30 days notice before changing rules. They must mail proposals, take comments, and hold a hearing if at least 10 directly affected people ask. They must answer comments in writing and tell commenters the final decision. The state board must create hearing transcripts and make them available to the public at cost. The law also removes the old rule that required a special peer-reviewed, cost-based finding for stricter local rules.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Greg Oblander

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Brandon Ler

    Republican • House

  • Wylie Galt

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 282 • No: 116

Senate vote • 4/4/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 30 • No: 19

Senate vote • 4/3/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 32 • No: 18

House vote • 2/18/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 61 • No: 38

House vote • 2/12/2025

AMD-HB0291.001.002 Oblander DO PASS

Yes: 99 • No: 1

House vote • 2/12/2025

Do Pass As Amended

Yes: 60 • No: 40

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/5/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/1/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/22/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    4/21/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/18/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/5/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/4/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading

    4/4/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading

    4/3/2025Senate

  10. 2nd Reading Pass Consideration

    4/2/2025Senate

  11. Committee Report

    3/31/2025Senate

  12. Committee Executive Action

    3/28/2025Senate

  13. Hearing

    3/21/2025Senate

  14. Referred to Committee

    3/1/2025Senate

  15. 1st Reading

    2/19/2025Senate

  16. Transmitted to Senate

    2/18/2025House

  17. 3rd Reading

    2/18/2025House

  18. 2nd Reading

    2/12/2025House

  19. 2nd Reading Motion to Amend

    2/12/2025House

  20. Committee Report

    2/10/2025House

  21. Committee Executive Action

    2/7/2025House

  22. Hearing

    1/29/2025House

  23. 1st Reading

    1/23/2025House

  24. Referred to Committee

    1/23/2025House

  25. Introduced

    1/22/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    2/13/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/22/2025

    PDF

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