By Karli Johnson and Nicole Rolf, Montana Farm Bureau Federation 

With transmittal looming, the pace of the legislative session is picking up substantially. Saturday will even be a busy business day for legislators this week with many hearings scheduled. From pesticides to predators, MFBF lobbyists were busy testifying on bills all over the spectrum this week. 

The House Agriculture Committee held several action-packed hearings this week. Bills we supported include HB 504: Expand livestock loss eligibility to include domestic bison sponsored by Rep. Eric Tilleman (R) HD 23 and HB 522: Provide pesticide warning label laws sponsored by Rep. Jerry Schillinger (R) HD 34. HB 504 sponsored by Representative Tilleman, adds domestic bison to the livestock loss reduction and mitigation program.  Currently, the Livestock Loss Board reimburses ranchers for cattle, sheep, goats, mules, horse, swine, llamas and livestock guard dogs that are killed by mountain lions, grizzly bears or wolves. The reimbursement value would be valued at twice the value of the same age and same class of cattle, based on the USDA market report at the time of predation; the bison rancher must also pay per capita fees on their stock to be eligible for the reimbursement. MFBF supported this bill as the livestock loss board is financially stable and adding bison would create consistency for livestock that are subject to per capita fees being eligible for reimbursement.

HB 522 was an exciting bill in House Ag this week and earned an extensive discussion with many proponents, opponents and questions from the committee.  The basis of the bill is to provide continued access to safe and effective agriculture chemicals, such as glyphosate, a critical piece of legislation for Montana’s agriculture economy. This bill works to simply protect the tools that have already undergone significant review and testing from the EPA and codifies that pesticides labels serve as warnings for users. A lack of legislative certainty around the labeling requirements of pesticides has posed a risk to these products and allowed the litigation industry to make a fortune targeting manufacturers of pesticides with scientifically unsound lawsuits. MFBF members discussed the idea behind the legislation this fall and passed policy to support. Along with MFBF’s testimony, an Action Alert on the bill was shared with members to express their need for crop protection products on their farm or ranch to ensure continued farming success, sustained food security and provide a stable economy.

During the robust discussion in the committee hearing, MFBF presented the facts regarding the intricate creation of these products. It takes on average 11 years for a chemical product to go through the full EPA certification process that ensures it safe and effective for use; all products must be scientifically proven safe by outside sources; after certification they are closely watched by the EPA and FIRPA; products must be re-registered every 15 years, unless new science is found, then it will be required to sooner; and only one out of every 10,000 discoveries  make it out of the certification process. Passage of this bill and continued access to these important tools will ensure that expenses do not rise for our ag producers and consumers. In addition, farmers will continue to be able to modernize and improve their agriculture practices, ensuring they will not go back to pulling a plow to rid fields of weeds, and be able to remain supplying the world’s safest and most abundant food supply. HB 522 was passed out of committee the same day as it was heard and will be on the House floor soon.

SB 381: Provide for Montana’s future homesteading act sponsored by Daniel Emrich (D) SD 11 had its hearing in Senate Natural Resources based on the idea to allow for state land tracks under 100 acres to be broken up into 5-acre tracks and sold for building sites for “homesteaders.” MFBF and other ag organizations opposed the bill due to there already being a process in place for the state to sell land that is fair for both the state and lessees and the concern that thousands of acres would be taken out of agricultural production. Approximately 11,000 acres of state land are considered in agriculture use, a crop or hay, and 79,000 plus additional acres are grazing lands would be eligible for sale should this bill pass. It was also pointed out that the state has a responsibility to raise money to fund the school trust with the leasing of state land. Many questions were also brought up regarding the bill, like what happens if the “homesteaders” default? Who will clean up the state land left behind if these people are unable to prove up? When it comes down to it, MFBF stands to keep working agriculture lands working.

SB 357: Extend perfection deadline for certain Missouri River water reservations sponsored by Sen. Wylie Galt (R) SD 39, was also heard in Senate Natural Resources on Wednesday and had a short positive discussion. SB 357 extends the deadline to perfect reserved water rights that many conservation districts and municipalities hold.  These reserve water rights were set aside for future municipal and agricultural uses thirty years ago. The expectation is over time those rights would be put to use and ultimately perfected. Many of those rights are not fully perfected and this bill will allow more time for that. MFBF shared that we support setting aside water for the future of municipalities and agriculture.

To follow up on previous weeks bills, HB 356: Allow livestock loss reimbursement for black bear predation had its Senate hearing in Senate Agriculture this week. Rep. Tilleman opened his bill stating that this “beautiful piece of legislation” will help Montana ranchers and these state-managed large carnivores coexist smoothly. Cascade County Farm Bureau President Merrill McKamey was present to testify in support of the bill and received many excellent questions from the committee. MFBF shared our support, expressing that because of the expansion of grizzly bears, black bears have expanded their normal range. Because of this, farmers and ranchers need the addition of the black bear to the Livestock Loss Board to add consistency when it comes to managing predator losses. It has been incredible to watch MFBF policy in action on this legislation. It shows how a wise idea can arise at a local county Farm Bureau and culminate in successful legislation. We are honored to be a part of this process and look forward to passage of this bill.

Nicole Rolf is the Senior Director of Governmental Affairs and a rancher from Miles City, Montana. Nicole works closely with our Congressional delegation on national issues affecting Montana agriculture. Additionally, this is her ninth Montana Legislative Session, lobbying in Helena on behalf of MFBF members. Nicole can be contacted at nicoler@mfbf.org.

 

Karli Johnson is the State Governmental Affairs Coordinator and a rancher from Chouteau, MT. This is Karli’s first session lobbying on behalf of Montana Farm Bureau although she can be known as an old hand at testifying on Grizzly Bear bills before she came onto staff. Karli will focus on water and wildlife issues throughout the legislative session while also serving as the MFBF Northwest Regional Manager. Karli can be contacted at karlij@mfbf.org.