Bill
LC 3975
Overview: Bill Number: LC 3975, Title: Provide exemption from air quality requirements on controlled burns, Status: (LC) Draft Died in Process, Introduced: December 15, 2024Purpose
Overview: Bill Number: LC 3975, Title: Provide exemption from air quality requirements on controlled burns, Status: (LC) Draft Died in Process, Introduced: December 15, 2024
Purpose and Intent: The purpose of this bill is to exempt certain controlled burns from existing air quality regulations in Montana. The goal is to provide more flexibility for landowners, land managers, and firefighters to conduct necessary burning activities while balancing environmental concerns.
Key Provisions:
- Exempts controlled burns conducted for the purpose of wildfire risk reduction, ecosystem management, or agricultural land clearing from obtaining air quality permits
- Requires landowners or managers to notify the Department of Environmental Quality prior to conducting an exempt controlled burn
- Mandates that exempt burns must comply with all other applicable laws and regulations, such as those related to open burning and smoke management
Affected Parties and Impacts:
- Landowners, land managers, and firefighters would have greater flexibility to conduct controlled burns without the administrative burden of obtaining air quality permits
- The general public may experience increased smoke and air quality impacts in areas where exempt controlled burns are conducted
- The Department of Environmental Quality would need to adjust its monitoring and enforcement activities to accommodate the new exemptions
Procedural and Timeline Considerations: This bill is currently in the draft stage and has not been formally introduced in the legislature. If passed, the exemptions for controlled burns would take effect on July 1, 2025, allowing time for the Department of Environmental Quality to update its regulations and procedures.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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