On October 22, 2025, the Montana EQC (Environmental Quality Council) Committee met to review several of their interim study bills. SJ42 was one of them.
In Montana, an interim study bill is a legislative proposal that directs an interim committee to examine a specific issue in depth during the period between legislative sessions. These studies are conducted to gather information, analyze potential solutions, and inform future legislation. Interim committees are formed to conduct these studies, and they often involve public input and expert testimony.
A study for review of the statute as it relates to noxious weeds is one of 3 studies this committee is looking at during the interim.
Jasmine Chaffee, Montana Department of Ag State Weed Coordinator, and Liz Lodman, MISC Coordinator, provided historical information regarding weed statute in Montana. There are A LOT of areas in statute that address noxious weeds at some level, from county compliance to realtors and gravel pits to state lands. In addition to these two presenters, several in the audience testified the need for change and/or updates.
Now comes the hard part, coming up with solutions! MWCA is working with MISC and MDA to help formulate a committee that can help prepare for a panel to present to the EQC committee in January.
