LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

The Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) is a grassroots, membership organization that has served as a trusted voice for the cattle industry and Montana’s cattle ranching families since 1884. Our mission is to protect and enhance Montana ranch families’ ability to grow and deliver safe, healthy, sustainably produced beef to the world.

To achieve this mission, we represent our members and the policy they set at the Montana Legislature and U.S. Congress. We advocate to government agencies, media, and the general public to ensure cattle ranching remains a relevant, safe and sustainable way of life for generations to come.

HOUSE BILL 119 - MONTANA CATTLE COMMITTEE FACT vs. FICTION

HOUSE BILL 119 – MONTANA CATTLE COMMITTEE
FACT vs. FICTION

To view the current bill language to House Bill 119 visit: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0261

 

❌ MYTH: House Bill 119 (HB 119) – Montana Cattle Committee will require cattle producers to pay an additional $1 checkoff.

✅ FACT: HB 119 creates a new attached agency to the Montana Department of Livestock. HB119 also creates the Montana Cattle Committee, which will be appointed by the Governor of Montana. The Montana Cattle Committee will have the ability to execute a producer referendum. The referendum will determine if a $1 assessment is put in place. If the bill passes, the committee will have until June 20, 2027, to complete a referendum. If a cattle assessment referendum fails to receive approval by June 30, 2027, then the bill is void.

 

❌ MYTH: HB 119 is a Montana Stockgrowers Association bill.

✅ FACT: HB 119 is a bill created by a third-party working group of cattle producers. To view working group members visit: www.montanacattlecommittee.com

✅ FACT: Montana Stockgrowers Association supported HB 119 in the House Agriculture committee as its members policy states: “supports the establishment of a statewide Cattle Committee that is producer driven and producer-led.”

 

❌ MYTH: Not all producers will get to vote in the referendum.

✅ FACT: All cattle sellers in Montana will have the ability to vote in the referendum.

✅ FACT: Following HB 119’s first billing hearing in House Agriculture committee, MSGA requested amendments in the committee to the bill to ensure ballots were sent to all cattle owners who have paid per capita in the most recent year. The amendments also allowed for producers who do not receive a ballot the ability to request a ballot from the Montana Department of Livestock. That amendment passed in committee and is now part of the bill.

✅ FACT: HB 119 does not create a $1 assessment. The bill creates a new attached agency to the Montana Department of Livestock and the ability for the Montana Cattle Committee to execute a producer referendum vote. Producers will ultimately be responsible for determining if the $1 assessment is implemented through the referendum vote.

 

❌ MYTH: MSGA snuck HB 119 through and did not inform members.

✅ FACT: HB 119 is a bill created by a third-party working group of cattle producers. HB 119 is not a Montana Stockgrowers bill.

✅ FACT: MSGA supported HB 119 in the House Agriculture committee. HB 119 is currently an active piece of legislation and has not been passed by the Montana Legislature and signed into law.

✅ FACT: MSGA is a grassroots membership organization. Members of the organization have discussed and passed policy on the concept of a state checkoff dating back to 2010. In recent years, members of MSGA have initiated discussion on the concept of a state checkoff at membership meetings. Support for a state checkoff is included in MSGA’s policy book, and updates on HB 119 have been provided in member newsletters and other organization communications.

 

❌ MYTH: This committee will be an independent committee like the Montana Beef Council.

✅ FACT: If the bill passes, it will create an attached agency to the Montana Department of Livestock.

 

❌ MYTH: HB 119 is NCBA driven and the Montana Cattle Committee will be under the National Checkoff.

✅ FACT: The bill creates an attached agency under the Montana  Department of Livestock and has no connection to NCBA, the Federal Checkoff, or the Montana Beef Council. The Montana Cattle Committee will be under the purview of the State of Montana.

 

❌ MYTH: There is not a way to get a refund on the assessment.

✅ FACT: If the bill passes, it includes a refund provision where producers can request back the assessment as long as it is over $5.

✅ FACT: MSGA supports a state refundable assessment.

 

❌ MYTH: MSGA will be in sole control of appointing members to the Montana Cattle Committee and the Committee will be a “pay-to-play” committee.

✅ FACT: The committee will be appointed by the Governor of Montana. As the bill is currently written, MSGA, Montana Cattlemen’s Association, Montana Association of Livestock Auction Markets, Montana CattleWomen, Montana Beef Council, Montana Farm Bureau Federation, and Montana Farmers Union can provide nominations to the Governor for consideration.

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The Ranchers’ Voice presented by Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) is a place for conversations surrounding policy, the Montana Legislature, and issues that matter most to ranching families in Montana.

From the Capitol to the countryside, we’ll be the connection point between local ranchers and legislative decision makers, cattle producers and general consumers, and between all cattle ranchers across Montana.

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AREAS OF FOCUS

AGENCY OVERSIGHT
MSGA actively engages in legislation that provides oversight to state agencies related to agricultural issues.

DEPARTMENT OF LIVESTOCK
We continue to advocate to maintain a stand-alone agency governed by a producer board. We support sufficient funding for the Montana Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Designated Surveillance Area, and Livestock Loss Program.

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES & CONSERVATION
We encourage creating efficiencies between the Water Court and DNRC to aid in the adjudication process in the Water Resources Division. We support reducing time and cost to accomplish a water right change. We have actively participated in the comprehensive water review in the interim.

We support continuing the state land leasing program and the 8,100 current grazing leases. We support school trust lands management which results in revenue from grazing leases that benefit public schools—in FY24 approximately $16.8 million in grazing fees supported education.

FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS
We support legislation that achieves wildlife population objectives and a balanced management approach for wildlife and private property owners. We encourage local landowners’ input on any wildlife introduction decisions in their county, including bison.

TAXATION
We support the elimination of the Business Equipment Tax, support efforts to reduce Workers’ Compensation costs, and work to ensure agricultural lands are treated as revenue-neutral.

WATER POLICY
We support the Prior Appropriation Doctrine—first in time, first in right. We prioritize the need for the completion of an accurate and timely adjudication process.

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
We support adequate funding for state programs, like the Livestock Loss Program, that cover a portion of loss faced by ranchers due to predators. We advocate for reduced conflicts with grizzly bears and wolves. We encourage maintaining funding for the state Sage Grouse program.

PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS
We advocate property owners’ rights are protected. We ensure issues related to land and road access do not impede private property rights.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

During the Legislative session agriculture will be facing more burdensome regulations and taxes than ever before. In addition to these issues, it is import to evaluate and promote the candidates across the state and nation that best represent ranchers. Every day, there are less boots under the table, less people connected to agriculture.

The Montana Agricultural Political Action Committee (MAPA), is an affiliate organization of the Montana Stockgrowers Association.

  • Was established to support those candidates that best represent ranchers
  • Evaluates candidates and how they may impact our business
  • Supports candidates who have a commitment to work with Montana’s ranching sector

Donate to MAPA PAC

Donate to MSGA Advocacy Fund

CONTACT INFO

MSGA can be a valuable resource for legislators evaluating agricultural bills. Our staff can share perspectives and potential impacts from legislation impacting the cattle and ranching industry.
MSGA is a member of the MT Ag Coalition and Senior Water Rights Coalition.

Raylee Honeycutt

(406) 799-4378 | [email protected]

Ellie Brighton

(541) 430-4343 | [email protected]