April 13, 2023

Montana State Capitol Building
1301 E. 6th Avenue
Helena, MT 59601

RE: Montanans Support SB 442 as Amended

Dear Gov. Gianforte and Members of the Montana Legislature,

Right now, Montana has a historic opportunity to invest in every part of our great state. Senate Bill 442 provides stable funding for rural infrastructure, supports veterans and drug treatment services, and establishes a new Habitat Legacy Account to conserve habitat and restore more of Montana’s land and waterways. This kind of collaboration brings the best of Montana to the forefront, and shows that our state really is one town, with some really long streets.

For months now, citizens, lawmakers, and industry have worked to find a compromise on how to spend a portion of the revenue from Montana’s expanding recreational cannabis industry while also maintaining a stable revenue stream for the general fund. The debate has resulted in competing proposals this session to change the funding formula that lawmakers authorized during the 2021 legislative session through HB 701. Senate Bill 442 brings the greatest number of people together for the greatest good, over the longest course of time. It invests not only in our core values of healthcare and veterans, but also in our rural infrastructure and conservation programs while increasing our commitments to Montana’s timber and agricultural health and vitality. This bill helps ensure our energy sector has the ability to continue to work with conservation on critical issues such as sage grouse management, noxious weed management and wildlife habitat restoration while partnering with wildlife conservation organizations on projects that will lead to better outcomes for our energy sector and our wildlife.

Senator Lang and his colleagues on the Senate Finance and Claims Committee deserve a tremendous amount of praise for working with a diverse group of stakeholders to seize this once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring Montanans together. His amended bill is intended to meet the needs of a broad set of interests including Montana’s counties, infrastructure investments, agricultural producers, timber industry, hunters, anglers, veterans, healthcare providers, criminal justice advocates, in a positive and congenial manner.

The below signed organizations strongly urge your support of SB 442 as amended.

Sincerely,

Montana Petroleum Association
Montana Stockgrowers Association
Montana Farm Bureau Federation
Association of Gallatin Agricultural Irrigators
Ruby Valley Strategic Alliance
Montana Infrastructure Coalition
Montana Wood Products Association
Green Diamond Resource Co.
F.H. Stoltze Land and Lumber
Weyerhauser Lumber
Marks Miller Post and Pole
Mark's Lumber Co
Pyramind Lumber
RY Timber Inc.
Montana Department of the American Legion
Montana National Guard Association
Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Montana
AFL CIO
Laborers' Local #1686
Montana Brewers Association
Wild Montana
Montana Wildlife Federation
Montana Conservation Voters
Business for Montana's Outdoors
Montana Trout Unlimited
Trout Unlimited
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Montana Association of Land Trusts
The Nature Conservancy
Trust for Public Land
Montana Land Reliance
Prickly Pear Land Trust
Gallatin Valley Land Trust
Flathead Land Trust
Five Valleys Land Trust
Bitter Root Land Trust
The Conservation Fund
Vital Ground Foundation
Montana Citizen’s Elk Management Coalition
Montana Outfitters and Guides Association
Fishing Outfitters Association of Montana
Flathead Wildlife Inc.
Anaconda Sportsmen
Fresh Tracks
Hellgate Hunters and Anglers
Skyline Sportsmen's Association
Laurel Rod and Gun Club
Montana Artemis Alliance
Montana Bowhunters Association
Montana Audubon Society
Montana Conservation Corps
Montana Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Big Hole Watershed Committee
Montana Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation
Montana Wild Sheep Foundation
Montana Watershed Coordination Council
Montana Trails, Parks, and Recreation Association
Montana Trails Coalition
Montana Trail Vehicle Riders Association
Mountain Mama
State Parks Foundation
Lower Yellowstone River Coalition
American Woodcock Society
Archery Trade Association
Mule Deer Foundation
Ducks Unlimited
Boone and Crockett Club
National Deer Association
National Wildlife Federation
Pheasants Forever
Quail Forever
Ruffed Grouse Society
Delta Waterfowl
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
Wild Sheep Foundation
Safari Club International
Greater Yellowstone Coalition
Congressional Sportsmen Foundation
Meat Eater Inc
Wild Livelihoods Business Coalition
Northfork Financial
Spark R&D
Beartooth Group
Mystery Ranch
Ahead by 11
Jelt
Pintler's Portal Hostel
Explore Rentals
Revolution House Media
ReedFly Farms
Sturdy Girl
Treeline Coffee Roasters
Blackfoot River Outfitters
High Plains Architects