Legislative Updates

State Level:

Montana Farm Bureau members have two full-time lobbyist representing your interest at the state capitol. Several hundred bills are introduced each session and all are reviewed for potential impact to our member farmers and ranchers. In addition to the legislative session, Montana Farm Bureau lobbyist keep in close working contact with the administration and all agencies.

National Level:

Montana Farm Bureau members have their own national lobbying team in Montana as well as the entire lobbying staff housed by American Farm Bureau. Montana representatives make weekly contact with our Montana Congressional Delegation in D.C. and keep them updated to our agriculture positions.

Montana Farm Bureau volunteer leaders maintain an active presence at the state Capitol and in D.C. At several times during the legislative session, volunteer leaders testify before committees. On both levels, when there are critical issues before lawmakers, Montana Farm Bureau issues a "Call to Action" that activates our extensive grassroots network - members respond by calling, writing and sending e-mails to their legislators on specific bills.

How to Contact Your Legislator

Washington, D.C. -- Montana Farm Bureau President Bob Hanson urged Montana’s Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester, to support an increase in the estate tax exemption. The best bet in town is a new amendment called the Small Business Jobs and Credit...
Released: 7/14/10 (Column)
WASHINGTON, D.C., June 22, 2010 -- Small and independent meat processors are at significant economic risk due to increased regulatory costs included in a preliminary draft guidance document issued by the Food Safety and Inspection Service, according...
Released: 6/23/10 (Column)
The American Farm Bureau Federation and 48 other farm groups have joined together in urging the Senate to adopt a resolution that would prevent the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act without prior...
Released: 5/19/10 (Column)
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) and the Montana Taxpayer’s Association (Montax) appeared before the Montana Department of Revenue and Transportation Interim Committee (RATIC) April 29 and told members why they were forced to file a...
Released: 4/30/10 (Column)
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) is urging its members to “Put the Death Tax to Rest” in a new campaign focusing on upcoming death tax legislation. If Congress does not act beginning in 2011, the law reverts back to a $1 million...
Released: 4/20/10 (Column)
The following comments on the“Concept Paper for a New Direction for the Bovine Brucellosis Program” were submitted by MFBF. Docket No. APHIS-2009-0006 Regulatory Analysis and Development PPD,APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River..
Released: 3/26/10 (Column)
Montana Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Hanson sent letters today to Senator John Tester and Senator Max Baucus urging them to oppose cap and trade legislation. Hanson stressed that current cap and trade legislation would harm their constituents....
Released: 3/16/10 (Column)
BOZEMAN -- The Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) and the Montana Taxpayers Association (Montax) have filed a class action lawsuit against the Montana Department of Revenue. The lead plaintiff in the case is Bernie Lucas, a rancher from Meagher...
Released: 2/12/10 (Column)
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) praised Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) for co-sponsoring a resolution to disapprove the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) effort to regulate greenhouse gases...
Released: 2/1/10 (Column)
BOZEMAN -- The Montana Farm Bureau sent letters to Montana Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester today urging them to truly consider issues of importance to the state’s farmers and ranchers in the health care debate. “Health insurance costs...
Released: 1/8/10 (Column)
The 2009 Property Tax reappraisal is the first reappraisal in decades that has not only updated information, but used a different formula for appraising agriculture land in Montana. This new process has brought about many changes for agriculture lands...
Released: 1/8/10 (Column)
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation worked on many issues in 2009 that directly affect farmers and ranchers. Issues ranged from national concerns, such as health care, estate tax and climate change legislation, to Montana issues, such as water rights,...
Released: 12/31/09 (Column)
Montana Farm Bureau Federation submitted the following letter electronically to the Montana Board of Livestock November 30, 2009 regarding Ag land appraisal. Click here to download a printable version of the letter. Cleo Anderson ...
Released: 11/30/09 (Column)
Montana Farm Bureau Federation submitted the following letter electronically to the Montana Board of Livestock November 25, 2009 regarding brucellosis management. Click here to download a printable version of the letter. ...
Released: 11/25/09 (Column)
MISSOULA--Climate change legislation and the cap and trade issue was a primary topic of discussion during the Montana Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention Nov. 8-11 in Missoula. American Farm Bureau President Bob Stallman, who flew in from...
Released: 11/12/09 (Column)
American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) President Bob Stallman presented testimony before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on S. 1733, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act. Noting AFBF’s opposition to the House companion,...
Released: 10/30/09 (Column)
Climate change legislation could have a devastating economic impact on family-owned businesses. According to an extensive report released by Sens. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) and Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), cap-and-trade legislation will result in a...
Released: 10/28/09 (Column)
American Farm Bureau’s public policy team has created a side-by-side comparison of the US Senate and House Climate bills. The comparison details emission reductions, industry credits, offsets, agricultural offsets and more. Click.
Released: 10/19/09 (Column)
Farm Bureau recently kicked off a climate change grassroots campaign appropriately titled “Don’t Cap Our Future.” Farm Bureau members are getting out the word on Capitol Hill that cap-and-trade legislation would impose higher energy and.
Released: 10/19/09 (Column)
The Montana Farm Bureau is urging caution before rushing into the recent push for the Health Care Reform Bill. MFBF’s Executive Vice President Jake Cummins noted that while both Senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester have done an exemplary job in...
Released: 8/13/09 (Column)
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is inviting hunters, landowners, outfitters and others to get involved earlier than ever before to help set hunting seasons for the next two years. In years past, FWP would propose "tentative" seasons and season...
Released: 8/12/09 (Column)
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation continues to express dismay with the House-passed Waxman-Markey climate change bill. The organization echoed the words of American Farm Bureau Federation President Stallman who told the Senate Committee on...
Released: 7/15/09 (Column)
Nancy Schlepp, national affairs director for Montana Farm Bureau, recently spent time in Washington, D.C. visiting with Montana’s Congressional delegation about estate tax issues. “This is the time to start talking about the estate...
Released: 7/7/09 (Column)
The Montana Farm Bureau Federation has been granted intervenor status in the Defenders of Wildlife vs. Salazar case, along with Mountain States Legal Foundation and the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation. The lawsuits began when in February 2008,...
Released: 7/6/09 (Column)
Washington, D.C.—The president of the American Farm Bureau Federation has called on the House Agriculture Committee to make drastic changes to a climate change bill before it is considered by Congress, telling the committee that to do less...
Released: 6/24/09 (Column)
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