Please act now. Your hand written letters, postcards, phone calls,
emails, and personal contacts with the Governor can change outcomes.
HB 318 changes the legal definition of "wild" buffalo in a way that
appears to not recognize any "wild" buffalo in Montana. VETO HB 318!
HB 302 hands veto power to county officials over any state decision to
reintroduce buffalo in Montana. VETO HB 302!
A century ago, buffalo owned by Pablo–Allard and Goodnight were
reintroduced into Yellowstone’s northern range and reduced to
captivity on the Lamar Buffalo Ranch. Yet HB 318, a bill to change the
legal definition of “wild” buffalo, would not recognize a buffalo
that “has never been owned by a person.”
In 2019, former Governor Steve Bullock vetoed a bill with a similar legal
definition used in HB 318 because it "presents unintended consequences"
for Yellowstone's wild herds, not just individual buffalo, which "could
be inappropriately deemed domestic."
HB 302 arbitrarily gives a board of county commissioners veto power over
the state's decision to reintroduce American bison. We agree with the
principle of local control for local decisions, but reintroducing
American bison, a keystone wildlife species, is a state decision – one
in which local communities fully participate.
Montana lawmakers already impose costly, unfunded mandates impeding
restoration of wild buffalo. HB 302 further erodes and undermines
Montana's trust responsibility for recovering imperiled American bison.
Check our Buffalo Bill Tracker page for timely updates on the status of
HB 318 and HB 302 here. Thank you for taking action for American bison our
beloved National Mammal. |
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