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Big Sky Connection - Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has signed a bill into law that reshapes conservation funding in the state, broadening the ways marijuana tax revenue can be used. Conservation groups are pleased with the move, as well as the federal news this week that public land sales originally included in the Republican budget reconciliation bill in Congress have been cut from it. Comments by Montana state Rep. Becky Edwards, D-Bozeman and executive director, Mountain Mamas.
Click on the image above for the audio. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a law shortening the time frame for voter registration, despite a 2024 Montana Supreme Court ruling a 2021 law banning same-day voter registration was unconstitutional. (MK Photo/Adobe Stock)
Kathleen Shannon
May 23, 2025 - Tax revenue from marijuana sales in Montana will now support a wider variety of conservation projects, since Gov. Greg Gianforte has signed House Bill 932 into law.
The new law will put about $12 million of annual tax revenue into a new "habitat legacy account." Three-quarters of the money is earmarked for state projects such as conservation easements, water storage and Wildlife Management Areas. The remaining funds will support wildlife habitat.
State Rep. Becky Edwards, D-Bozeman, executive director of Mountain Mamas, said the law cements conservation as a beneficiary of marijuana sales.
"It's not going to be up for negotiation every legislative session," Edwards said. "It provides certainty that those dollars will be there for state park creation, trails, wildlife habitat -- all the things that are so important to us as Montanans."
Montana conservation groups are also celebrating a win on the national stage. Many were concerned that public land sales in Nevada and Utah would be authorized in the Republican budget reconciliation bill, but those were removed through amendments announced Wednesday.
Around 86% of Montanans support the construction of wildlife crossing structures over the state's major roadways to prevent collisions, according to the latest State of the Rockies poll. Edwards said the new Montana law includes funding for that.
"As more and more folks move into Montana, we need to aid our wildlife in getting from point A to point B," she said. "So, 5% of the funds will go into an account that reduces that wildlife-vehicle collision possibility."
Under the new law, individual landowners, tribal governments and other entities can apply for funds to cover various habitat improvement projects.
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PNS - Friday, May 23, 2025 - A deadlocked Supreme Court prevents nation's first publicly funded religious school, House Republicans celebrate passage of their domestic policy bill, and Trump administration sues states for taking climate action.
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PNS - Friday, May 23, 2025 - Harvard sues Trump administration to halt federal ban on enrolling international students; New climate change research: People can't fight it alone; Imprisoning KY parents has worsened foster care crisis; Soap Box Derby prepares future IN race car drivers.
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PNS - Thursday, May 22, 2025 - Despite lawmaker efforts, rural communities still short of crucial broadband, new Trump administration priorities force USDA grant recipients to reapply, and Appalachia's traditional broom-making craft gets an economic boost from an international nonprofit.
