September  

The 2025 Interim Committees are off to a strong start. The Economic Affairs Interim Committee (EAIC), Environmental Quality Council (EQC), and Water Policy Interim Committee (WPIC) have each held their initial meetings, setting priorities and laying the groundwork for their work in the interim. 

  • Economic Affairs Interim Committee (EAIC)
    EAIC will spend some time continuing discussions on the future of the Montana Cattle Committee, should ranchers approve a referendum. Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) was present to advocate for addressing key questions raised during HB119 hearings, including the administration of the check-off and the process for appointing board members.
  • Environmental Quality Council (EQC)
    EQC is dedicating significant attention to wildfire mitigation. Their study will explore how grazing can help reduce fuel loads and examine the impact of noxious weeds. In addition, EQC has been tasked with a broader study on noxious weeds and strategies for improved management. MFBF expressedstrong supportfor both efforts, recognizingthese ascritical challenges facing Montana’s landscape.
  • Water Policy Interim Committee (WPIC)
    WPIC outlined a robust set of priorities, including exempt wells, water use enforcement, and water reusewith a particular focus on storage and datacenterwater consumption. The committee will beginworkin earnest this October, using Senate Bill 358 as a foundation for discussions on exempt wells. While MFBFopposed the bill during the session, we are optimistic that with a few key adjustments, it could lead to meaningful progress.

October 

Water Policy Interim Committee (WPIC)
The WPIC met in late October to discuss several key issues, including water reuse, exempt wells, and enforcement of water rights. 

Water Reuse refers to the use of treated water—typically cleaned by municipalities—for other purposes. Examples include snowmaking in Big Sky, irrigation pivots sourced from lagoons, and golf courses irrigated with gray water. A significant policy question centers on the ownership of reclaimed water. Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) policy holds that water gained through improved efficiencies—whether by increasing irrigation efficiency or treating water—should be owned by those with the right to put it to beneficial use and should retain its original priority date. A challenge for agriculture is that reused water, which might otherwise return to the stream, is now fully consumed. This poses a concern for junior water users who may face shutoffs to maintain in-stream flows, flows that traditionally benefited from return water. MFBF will continue to engage in this discussion and work to ensure that the future of water for agriculture in Montana is at the forefront of any proposed solution.  

Exempt Wells continue to be a recurring issue. It feels a bit like Groundhog Day. Nicole Rolf represented MFBF on a panel discussing the Comprehensive Water Review process and its outcomes. She noted, “We have gotten caught up in looking for ways to treat the symptom of the problem, exempt, rather than working to cure the disease by addressing storage, the permitting and changes process, and ways to increase mitigation water.” MFBF has long worked to limit the expansion of exempt wells, but political headwinds to addressing root causes remains strong. Based on this meeting, that resistance appears unchanged. Although the committee acknowledged the need for broader solutions, they voted to begin with the exempt well reform with the bill from the last session and excluded more comprehensive approaches from their work plan leaving that to DNRC to address other solutions. 

Enforcement discussions were similarly limited. The committee chose to focus only on metering and monitoring in the context of exempt wells, avoiding broader concerns raised this summer about illegal water use. MFBF advocated for protecting local solutions and clarifying the future role of the water court in enforcement. We will continue working outside the committee process to pursue meaningful solutions. 

Shape 

Environmental Quality Council (EQC)
EQC also met in late October. While their agenda was broad, two areas were of particular interest to MFBF: wildland fire studies and noxious weed management. 

The wildland fire discussion covered current resources, updates on the fire season, and challenges at the urban-wildland interface. MFBF attended to advocate for creative fuel reduction management and adequate rural firefighting resources. These discussions are still in early stages, and we look forward to continued engagement to ensure Montana is equipped with the best tools to manage wildfires. 

On the noxious weed front, the conversation focused on the Weed Management Act, starting the discussion on what updates maybe needed. As Montana’s landowner demographics shift, enforcing weed control on private property has become more challenging. MFBF advocated for maintaining local control through county weed districts and improving enforcement efficiency. 

Shape

Economic Affairs Interim Committee (EAIC)
EAIC has not yet met. According to their work plan, they will be discussing the Montana Cattle Committee. Unfortunately, they have significantly limited the time allocated to this study and removed the producer panel. This makes it especially important for ranchers to engage early and submit public comments. If the Cattle Committee is important to your operation, we encourage you to reach out to committee members and share your perspective. 

Recent market volatility highlights the need for long-term marketing strategies—not only for Montana beef, but also for our calves and genetics.