How to Take Action - Montana

For CONSTITUENTS (if you live in Montana)

"NON-CONSTITUENTS PLEASE NOTE: Comments made by non-constituents in Montana committee hearings is unwelcome and can actually hurt the cause. If you live out-of-state and want to advocate for wolves in Montana, click HERE to learn how."

HOW CAN I TESTIFY?

THERE ARE THREE WAYS TO TESTIFY
1. In person at the hearing location.
2. Over Zoom or by telephone, when allowed.
3. By submitting a written testimony using email.

How to speak or testify at a hearing

1. Know the Bill number of the Bill to be discussed and what it is about.
2. Know which committee the bill is being presented to.

NOTE: This information may be provided to you by Apex or another organization in advance or you can look it up at https://leg.mt.gov/public-testimony/. Once the public testimony website loads, click on the link highlighted in the screen shot below to search for the Bill number.

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SIGNING UP TO SPEAK

STEP 1:
You must register by 12pm (noon) Mountain Time the day before the Hearing. Here is the link to register: https://leg.mt.gov/public-testimony/

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STEP 2

You will be required to select the bill you would like to submit comments about and/or register to speak about. Then, select the committee the testimony should be sent to. The choices are provided by selecting from a drop-down selection:

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STEP 3:

Select your position, proponent (for the bill) or opponent (against the bill), on the bill and provide your information:

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STEP 4:

You can upload documents and/or you can add your comments in the comment field. Once done, please chose if you would like to testify before the committee via Zoom.

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The website will have a submission confirmation message pop up.

After you register, you will receive a receipt confirmation via email. This only confirms your registration and submission of the document(s) and/or comments.

You will receive the link to the hearing the day of the hearing via email.

The day of the hearing, you will receive another email with the Zoom link or phone number for the hearing. (If you do not receive the email, check your spam folder).

ATTENDING THE HEARING

STEP 1:

Click the Zoom invite link in the email or dial the phone number provided and you will be “let in” to the meeting. (Connect to the hearing 10 minutes before hearing starts.)

STEP 2:

Once you are “in” the meeting and it begins, the bill will be presented by the Bill’s Sponsor, and then the floor will open for comments. Proponents: those in favor of the bill will be called upon first. Opponents: those against the bill will be called upon next. Informational Witnesses: will be called third.

GETTING READY TO SPEAK YOUR MIND

STEP 1:

When the Chairperson calls for the Opponents, you will need to “Raise your Hand”. In Zoom: Click the little “raised hand” icon at the bottom of the screen.

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http://cteresources.bc.edu/documentation/zoom/facilitate-participation-zoom/
By Phone: dial *9.

STEP 2:

When your name is called to testify, you must unmute yourself.

To unmute on Zoom: click the red unmute button that just popped up on your screen.
To unmute on the phone: dial *6

IT’S YOUR TURN!

When you testify, start by addressing the committee Chairperson and the Committee Members, followed by introducing yourself.

For example, start your testimony by saying, "Mr./Madame Chair, members of the committee, my name is Jon Snow, that is spelled Snow. I am from Libby in the beautiful state of Montana” (your town and state).

Politely and respectfully give your comments and when finished, thank the Hearing Committee for the opportunity to speak.

After you testify, stay until the hearing is over in case a committee member has a question for you. If you get asked a question, you will need to unmute yourself again by clicking the red unmute pop up button, always respond by addressing the committee Chairperson first followed by the committee member title of the Senator or Representative (depending on their elected position) who asked the question.

For example, “Chair Smith, Representative Brown, thank you for your question”.

Non-constituents

HOW CAN I TESTIFY?

Unfortunately, the House and Senate Committees do not want to hear from you if you are not a resident of Montana. That can be frustrating when the wildlife of Montana, especially Yellowstone, is beloved worldwide. But there are some things you CAN do. Read on!

CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM

Tourism is the second largest and the fastest growing industry in Montana, bringing in $3.8 billion in 2019. Hit them where it hurts – their pockets. Let the Governor, the Department of Tourism and Yellowstone National Park know that you love the wildlife of Montana – especially the wolves – and that you will not visit Montana anymore because of the horrific way they treat their wildlife. 

To contact Governor Greg Gianforte: https://svc.mt.gov/gov/contact/shareopinion

To contact Montana Department of Tourism: https://marketmt.com/contact/diverson@mt.gov
PO Box 200533 Helena MT 59620-0501
800-VISIT-MT (800-847-4868) 

To contact Yellowstone National Park: https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm

WRITE LETTERS TO THE EDITORS OF MONTANA NEWSPAPERS

The other thing to do that’s equally important is write Letters to the Editors (LTEs) of newspapers. LTEs are the top section read in newspapers along with the obituaries. Not only does a large portion of the general public (who may not even know what’s going on with wolves and wildlife) but the legislators themselves pay attention to these letters to know what’s going on. Educate and tell them how you feel about it.

For a list of Montana newspapers for LTEs, visit: https://tfmpl.org/media/montana-newspapers

Remember: When calling, sending an email, letter, or writing a LTE, remember to hold your ground but be respectful.

To learn how to write an LTE with great tips on getting it printed, click HERE (http://www.projectcoyote.org/take-action/how-to-help/make-your-voice-heard/

AMPLIFY WHAT IS HAPPENING

GET EDUCATED! 

  • You can learn a lot by listening in to a hearing over zoom or watching a recorded session regarding bills you care about. Visit https://leg.mt.gov/ for bill information, providing public comment, and listening/watching hearings. 

  • Support Podcasts such as All Things Wolf and Wild by Kim Bean/Wolves of the Rockies
    https://allthingswolfandwild.podbean.com/

  • Become members of organizations dedicated to protecting wolves and join their campaigns.

  • Attend Sedona Wolf Week co-founded by Apex and Plan B to Save Wolves. 

AND EDUCATE 

  • Talk to your family and friends about what’s going on and let them know how they can help. 

  • Use social media platforms to spread the word. 

Special thanks to Wolves of the Rockies and Trap Free Montana Public Lands for the above information.