[{"_1":2,"_117":-5,"_118":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,97,107],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6624091,"mediaKeyId","2768610-5dce312ec8abd67725998fa30c2ee3be","parentId",2768610,"title","Long, divided hearing on SJ 14 over releasing wilderness study areas draws scores of witnesses","audioSeconds",1330,"startMs",2310000,"endMs",3640000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2768610-5dce312ec8abd67725998fa30c2ee3be&start=2310&end=3640","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2768610-5dce312ec8abd67725998fa30c2ee3be/thumbnail_2310000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6624091/Montana/Long-divided-hearing-on-SJ-14-over-releasing-wilderness-study-areas-draws-scores-of-witnesses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624091-b447e03cf39cdefe73993fc52c54b23d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048420&Signature=GpYZVskAUCCNZzRieJ6Z80643J30trIUFejcLg0GEvJh711vgLNR07QZNjDoT~vOTmTvWMKjC7~RZt8cqBhb4G2KOQRohJUduapa~E8whujPOIJjHF03~PSMsJGj98-a3Hy4PvLXoUmnXNz1XXQrhKDMd3YfGVy7OQzUcsPZKR6FpKPryhqnCatphczI3FtYHfpVIAZY0hSstZ0T8Up3gUxSrQyWxk6GqwcY-6UPJwIAZ~JuIN4lmcT5AfrqdoKhskneKlgYLn2WOco9CawbYe5G9vcVI33qNfvqbNXmcQMl9FHsWhaeJ067kDdv-2TE0GEZ-7ovR6MVBs~V-RpplA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee heard hours of public testimony and policy arguments over Senate Joint Resolution 14, a proposal asking Congress to release designated Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) and certain inventory roadless areas from their study status so those lands would be managed under multiple-use authorities.

Sponsor and proponents: Senator Tony Tzak, sponsor of SJ 14, told the committee that the lands designated for study in 1977 have “been in limbo” for decades and that release would return management decisions to local BLM and Forest Service districts and the National Environmental Policy Act process. Proponents — including ranchers, county commissioners, the Rocky Mountain Stock Growers Association, Citizens for Balanced Use, and several local collaboratives — argued the study designations have restricted routine uses including grazing permit administration, reservoir maintenance, fuels reduction and fire suppression work, and local road repairs. Several proponents said local collaboratives and county officials want the WSAs released so local managers can pursue multiple-use projects and active forest management.

Opponents: Conservation groups, sportsmen’s organizations, tribal representatives, and a range of local civic groups urged the committee to reject SJ 14 or defer to ongoing local collaborative processes. Opponents argued the resolution is an overly broad, top-down approach that would undermine existing stakeholder-led collaboratives that have worked for years to craft balanced, place-based recommendations about particular WSAs. Speakers representing Wild Montana, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Trout Unlimited, the Montana Wildlife Federation and multiple local conservation groups emphasized wildlife habitat, water quality and recreation values tied to WSAs and inventory roadless areas. Tribal representatives, including speakers for the Blackfeet and Chippewa-Cree tribes, said they were not sufficiently consulted and urged protections for culturally important lands.

Process and key tensions: Many witnesses — both proponents and opponents — called for local, place-based collaboratives rather than a single statewide directive. Several witness panels cited prior recommendations from agency land-management plans and the 2019/2021 Environmental Quality Council work and urged Congress, not the state legislature, to act on final land dispositions. Opponents said SJ 14 would undercut ongoing collaborative outcomes that in some places are already proposing mixed packages (releases combined with designations) for particular WSAs.

Committee next steps: The sponsor closed by urging committee members to release the resolution so Montana leaders can press the federal delegation and federal agencies to act on long-dormant study-area findings. Committee members did not take a final vote on SJ 14 during the recorded hearing; members indicated they would consider testimony and, if appropriate, move the resolution forward after further staff work.

Ending: The hearing reflected deep division across rural counties, tribes, recreation groups and conservation organizations. Multiple witnesses said the issue cannot be reduced to a simple yes-or-no outcome and urged continued local engagement and follow-up with federal congressional staff.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Energy and Telecommunications - Mar 25, 2025 14:30 - 19:30","oneSentenceSummary","A lengthy, sometimes contentious hearing on SJ 14 filled the committee room as ranchers, conservationists, tribal representatives and county officials debated whether Montana should ask Congress to release Wilderness Study Areas designated in 1977.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624097,"Senate committee advances energy, infrastructure and consumer bills; HB55, HB122 among measures approved",0,1133000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2768610-5dce312ec8abd67725998fa30c2ee3be&start=1133&end=1133","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2768610-5dce312ec8abd67725998fa30c2ee3be/thumbnail_1133000.jpg","/articles/6624097/Montana/Senate-committee-advances-energy-infrastructure-and-consumer-bills-HB55-HB122-among-measures-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624097-af9419a402c7dc2e1c87241145ea99fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048420&Signature=FokLIVpfHik3iy9g590cAJG~cJ~K-HypH~BXIVHz0kAKs8dPRTEIFWenLTq-7Z2tyYCnnvyr8PaKI3yWtTAs0~sj5eOpnkyx3F1NM9k1tubjzz2WrMN60nqNn50p8Wt2gws8B4jxiJmme0ibRyQodWHsI694GBH8PTWrtG-fnVQ2Jp-RzLfLCqj9epWtYUnEOfNgKul6iG3oI-Q9J590h9u0Qk-x4bbkGGyseo0mA0JbHan7cC8I5qMqtRp5jRSwEvwM8f-u9b5lFxvDiCjzPFye3fwpvxiZmMfarX1ExcoeVuz2-0AoOW9Ad~l9ZabBKBPj3mcjjS2DedrF-ymIVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee voted on a package of bills during its early agenda, advancing measures on energy planning, utility right-of-way use and consumer protections.

The committee unanimously approved House Bill 55, known in the discussion as the SCERPA (special select energy and resource planning and acquisition) bill, after adopting technical amendments that clarify independent evaluation, public reporting and bidding language. Committee discussion emphasized transparency in resource procurement and placing the independent-evaluator oversight role under the Public Service Commission rather than DEQ.

House Bill 122, which would expand authorization to use public rights-of-way for natural-gas lines and facilities, also passed after debate. The committee recorded a roll-call vote of 9 yes and 4 no. Some senators said they supported the bill’s intent but expressed concerns about urban congestion and local-government authority.

Other measures advanced included a broadly described House Bill (listed in the hearing as HB350) and a child-focused digital-protection bill discussed as Senate/House Bill 392. The committee recorded votes and, in most cases, adopted amendments before moving bills to the next step.

A short resolution asking federal agencies to study automated-vehicle safety — including animal-related crashes — was approved as amended.

Votes at a glance
- HB55 (SCERPA): Passed unanimously after amendments; committee language clarified independent-evaluator role and public reporting requirements.
- HB122 (use of public rights-of-way for natural gas lines): Passed by roll call, 9–4; discussion centered on local control and urban congestion risks.
- HB350 (codify certain international institution guidance into Title 2, as described by sponsor): Passed, 8–5 (roll-call recorded in committee record).
- SB/HB 392 (Child Digital Protection Act, amended): Passed; amendment narrowed record production and retention provisions and clarified what records are turned over to minors on request.
- SJR16 (automated vehicles resolution): Passed as amended; language expanded to ask federal consideration of wildlife and livestock in automated-vehicle safety reviews.

What’s next: Sponsors announced carriers and said some bills will be run on the floor by committee members or volunteer carriers. Where the committee adopted amendments, staff said amended text will be distributed with the committee record.

Ending: Committee members repeatedly framed the early-business package as housekeeping to clear shorter items before longer hearings on joint resolutions and outside presentations.","The Senate Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee approved several bills in early business, including HB55 (SCERPA), HB122 (public right-of-way use for gas lines) and other measures; most passed with roll calls or voice votes recorded.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":79,"_43":90,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":92,"_51":93,"_53":94,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":95,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":96,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624077,"NextEra outlines Clearwater operations and proposes Glendive wind project; senators press on local benefits, transmission and wildlife protections",2014000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2768610-5dce312ec8abd67725998fa30c2ee3be&start=2014&end=2014","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2768610-5dce312ec8abd67725998fa30c2ee3be/thumbnail_2014000.jpg","/articles/6624077/Montana/NextEra-outlines-Clearwater-operations-and-proposes-Glendive-wind-project-senators-press-on-local-benefits-transmission-and-wildlife-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624077-5ca3a33b68f26aaf625c1f4e47afa85b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048420&Signature=WKI0AbUxdT1WcRwvjqBiGFpvdpUZ5YIUEgeA9MN7kRkFs64fnMPjKvMWA0Y-eBv7rLeKcBlI9RfN39EnbtBSIIlak-a8gyKfvJznkvcO9DBZSLMRHD0Nq4gSlzY8Fi5QuLeMT-hSaw9bhrEwtFXnOZs8Au3gn3QTv5MCJ7quGjQ3~B9DerJsKPt2Dhv22KET6YL9IxksfuxFbJEMm~7f4Qw3KB15IP1t0vnWM99GQjEcLEJcPTZ6E~phqmQanic1gCBWqhVR6-D0pm49w~fPMxFQfnNfxdaduZ6LvMsHYLZen0zVsZhtQ2Iy0evitM~2gSDEirbd5IndBY4MG4plew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","NextEra Energy Resources presented to the Senate Energy Committee on the Clearwater Wind Energy Center (operational) and the proposed Glendive Wind Project, describing local partnerships, construction history and projected regional investments.

Company overview and Clearwater recap: NextEra representatives said Clearwater, north of Miles City in Rosebud, Custer and Garfield counties, represented about $1.3 billion in capital investment, involved more than 300 construction workers during phases of construction and now employs about 20 full-time technicians. The project includes turbines with tip heights up to about 582 feet and involved partnerships with Miles Community College on technician training and with six regional tribes on cultural-resource protections.

Proposed Glendive Wind Project: NextEra described a proposed Glendive Wind Project sited across five counties (Dawson, McCone, Prairie, Garfield and Rosebud in testimony) with an estimated capital investment of $1.85 billion and roughly 210 turbines planned for the wind field. Company representatives said they expected construction in 2026 if permitting and permitting-related approvals proceed and that operations could begin in 2028–2029.

Lawmakers’ concerns and company responses: Senators asked about tax abatements and county incentives; NextEra said counties offered partial property tax abatements at Clearwater on a step-down schedule (50% for early years, tapering to full tax after a decade) and that abatements or incentive agreements are typically negotiated with host counties to make projects financially feasible. NextEra said Clearwater paid property tax and impact fees and worked with local development corporations.

Transmission and markets: Committee members probed who purchases project output and whether Montana benefits from exported electricity. NextEra said Clearwater power is sold to Pacific Northwest utilities (Avista, Portland General Electric and Puget Sound Energy) and confirmed that, for those contracts, the electricity is delivered to a Colstrip interconnection and exported to buyers on their systems. Company witnesses said that Eastern Montana’s high-capacity wind resource yields capacity factors materially higher than the rough 14% figure sometimes used in planning documents, and they described the economics of competing projects and the importance of local incentive structures.

Wildlife, cultural resources and safety: NextEra described multi-year environmental and avian surveys used to microsite turbines and transmission, avoidance of documented sage-grouse leks and use of external monitoring and post-construction mortality monitoring. The company said it would post decommissioning bonds and follow state reclamation rules; for the proposed Glendive project it proposed posting the decommissioning bond at break ground. Company representatives said blade recycling and replacement have been handled in corporate programs and that, to their knowledge, blades had not been buried on local properties.

Ending: Senators pressed on local economic benefits, legacy revenues and the tradeoffs of export-oriented generation. NextEra said it would continue outreach to counties and landowners and reiterated a willingness to expand local hiring, workforce training, and community partnerships.","NextEra Energy Resources briefed the committee on the operational Clearwater Wind Energy Center and a proposed Glendive Wind Project, answering questions about jobs, tax abatements, transmission, wildlife surveys, turbine height and decommissioning.",{"_33":98,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":99,"_41":79,"_43":100,"_45":100,"_47":101,"_49":102,"_51":103,"_53":104,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":105,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":106,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624082,"Committee hears brief support for HJ 4, a proposed interim study of artificial intelligence",3516000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2768610-5dce312ec8abd67725998fa30c2ee3be&start=3516&end=3516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2768610-5dce312ec8abd67725998fa30c2ee3be/thumbnail_3516000.jpg","/articles/6624082/Montana/Committee-hears-brief-support-for-HJ-4-a-proposed-interim-study-of-artificial-intelligence","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624082-cf33121d2665e64749e376b929a19539/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048420&Signature=Sjjo8Q1ifJjD81G3byXP7qnhWfJyxoRb7FJx3jxToXqLlqOh9jrh51s7~VHFDVeDDE5AhWqpp~YeAjaduhLzROi7Bmc0AXa1UVgc58UzTJyGAawXLIlLd~7AVh-UH58qmA89Ksz1YZRIgBwbWbAtX~ZZgtCW6EiR9Kmn8jB7zsUrGCMTVNf-AX-IrIokuV-tfqGjoLtMOL1E-eeKMGELKLc~q8LMi694eJBem4L8p1YHznAxcH4nYaxi8rDOR7YzDpqtH-mBBxQzSO3jD131KfuXXfEiEtijBpMizWS~2H-xIaRqk3-pLDoB6yk5Y1eson3Y7Bctq9OakejhNfElfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee heard a brief informational presentation on House Joint Resolution 4, an interim-study proposal to examine artificial intelligence and recommend policy guardrails. Representative Gary Perry described HJ 4 as a narrow, preparatory step: \"study AI and make sure that we know what the good parts are and put the set the sideboards on that are gonna protect our citizens,\" he said.

Supporters included the state’s Internet Crimes Against Children commander and a computer-crimes subject-matter expert, who urged lawmakers to study AI capabilities, risks to privacy and potential benefits to Montana industry and law enforcement. Testimony emphasized the need for a deliberate, non-reactive approach to regulation and advised the committee to consider technical definitions, workforce impacts and privacy protections as part of any eventual policy.

Ending: Sponsors proposed that an interim study would help the Legislature write measured AI policy during future sessions and asked the committee to forward the resolution to create the interim committee.","House Joint Resolution 4 would create an interim study to examine artificial-intelligence benefits and risks for Montana. Supporters said Montana should study AI's applications and set guardrails before taking policy action.",{"_33":108,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":109,"_41":79,"_43":110,"_45":110,"_47":111,"_49":112,"_51":113,"_53":114,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":115,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":116,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6624086,"Senators hear HJ 1 urging Congress to fully fund law enforcement and public-safety services on Montana reservations",3380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2768610-5dce312ec8abd67725998fa30c2ee3be&start=3380&end=3380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2768610-5dce312ec8abd67725998fa30c2ee3be/thumbnail_3380000.jpg","/articles/6624086/Montana/Senators-hear-HJ-1-urging-Congress-to-fully-fund-law-enforcement-and-public-safety-services-on-Montana-reservations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624086-17cd3e4feef63896587cb11ce3ff53f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771048420&Signature=XcXZZeGVgU88bAnv1UEh31BKQ8l-PctNzOTbGsVKizi0cqVNnahvxetsOe2F-0UnXBBlO~exc~xH1xT8tBvxzP2bheIgv9KSNHUBEeJHg57B~u7BdUycx14VZz6Qn0RePT9q5A18kOxKrCPsDkbXTDyV4wzNiNQlyyMb3ULB4Od9tOcznmulw48H67g07YiT4DGouMcxc30DfoeFlJhKTD-g-UV3n~0~qFox3dZrWyu9TfsPKobdEQYA3P55vMkJLvXcgIoSFQRiRCyoiBRvQrGSWlnwUaok-v~kNMR7VhXeLg2FJKBjBIDBeP1C4ica5uDsIMHr-8eJpNIdrZcmPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee opened a short, supportive hearing on House Joint Resolution 1, which asks Congress to fully fund law-enforcement, justice and public-safety services on Montana’s Indian reservations and to strengthen government-to-government consultation.

Tribal leaders and advocates told the committee the federal trust responsibility includes public-safety resources that have been underfunded for years. Speakers described small numbers of Bureau of Indian Affairs police covering very large land bases, growing organized-drug activity affecting reservations, and dozens of missing persons cases statewide. Witnesses urged the state to back a federal funding push and requested stronger interagency coordination with the U.S. Departments of Justice and the Interior.

Dan Stusek of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes and other tribal representatives asked the committee to forward the resolution, saying that better-funded tribal courts, policing, victim assistance and substance-abuse services are critical to community safety. Montana Department of Justice staff explained federal jurisdiction and said congressional action or a shift in federal policy is required to change jurisdictional arrangements and funding levels.

Ending: Committee members and supporters said HJ 1 is designed as a state-level request for federal funding that would give Montana’s tribal communities more resources for policing, prosecution, victim services and related public-safety programs.","House Joint Resolution 1 asks the U.S. Congress and federal agencies to fully fund public safety, justice and related services on Montana tribal reservations; tribal leaders and county officials testified in support, citing under-resourced policing and substance-trafficking concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Long, divided hearing on SJ 14 over releasing wilderness study areas draws scores of witnesses

Senate committee advances energy, infrastructure and consumer bills; HB55, HB122 among measures approved

NextEra outlines Clearwater operations and proposes Glendive wind project; senators press on local benefits, transmission and wildlife protections

Committee hears brief support for HJ 4, a proposed interim study of artificial intelligence

Senators hear HJ 1 urging Congress to fully fund law enforcement and public-safety services on Montana reservations