FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 27, 2021

MCV: ‘Voters and lawmakers alike deserve high praise’ in historic state victory for conservation funding

Legislature Recognizes Overwhelming Public Support for Funding Land and Water 

(HELENA, Mont.) – Montana Conservation Voters released the following statement from Executive Director Whitney Tawney in response to the passage of House Bill 701, now on its way to Governor Greg Gianforte’s desk with significant funding for conservation:

“Voters and lawmakers alike deserve high praise for securing a new revenue source for our shared outdoor way of life, proving again our public lands and waters and access to them bring people together. Funding to protect the places we hunt, hike, fish and camp will continue to drive our economy, conserve our wildlife, and keep Montana the Last Best Place.”

In November, Montana voters passed Ballot Initiative 190, which legalized recreational marijuana use for adults over age 21 and directed the tax revenue to fund our public lands through Habitat Montana, state parks, trails and nongame wildlife conservation.

Through the HB 701 compromise, state parks, trails and nongame wildlife conservation are slated to receive funding starting in fiscal year 2022, while Habitat Montana’s funding starts in FY 2023. Habitat Montana is a popular conservation tool used to improve access, acquire more public lands and protect working farms and ranches in perpetuity.

According to the ballot initiative language, Habitat Montana was intended to receive nearly 40% of the tax revenue from the sale of recreational marjiuana.

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