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Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act

USA119th CongressS-3527| Senate 
| Updated: 3/4/2026
Steve Daines

Steve Daines

Republican Senator

Montana

Cosponsors (1)
Tim Sheehy (Republican)

Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee, Energy and Natural Resources Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill proposes to release three specific wilderness study areas (WSAs) in Montana from their current designations, totaling over 100,000 acres. These areas are the Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Area , the Hoodoo Mountain Wilderness Study Area , and the Wales Creek Wilderness Study Area . The legislation highlights that federal agencies, including the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, have repeatedly determined these WSAs unsuitable for wilderness designation through extensive studies and collaborative processes spanning decades. Despite these findings, the areas have remained under wilderness study area status, which the bill argues restricts effective land management. By removing these designations, the bill mandates that the land be managed according to existing, collaboratively developed land and resource management plans. This change is intended to facilitate improved public access, enhance sportsmen opportunities, and enable critical wildlife habitat and wildfire mitigation projects. Future management will continue to adhere to applicable environmental laws, local input, and principles of multiple-use and sustained yield.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4470
Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2216
Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act
Dec 17, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6788
Introduced in House
Dec 17, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Dec 17, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Feb 12, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
Mar 4, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4470
    Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2216
    Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act


  • December 17, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6788
    Introduced in House


  • December 17, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 17, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


  • February 12, 2026
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.


  • March 4, 2026
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Environmental assessment, monitoring, researchLand use and conservationMontanaWilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act

USA119th CongressS-3527| Senate 
| Updated: 3/4/2026
This bill proposes to release three specific wilderness study areas (WSAs) in Montana from their current designations, totaling over 100,000 acres. These areas are the Middle Fork Judith Wilderness Study Area , the Hoodoo Mountain Wilderness Study Area , and the Wales Creek Wilderness Study Area . The legislation highlights that federal agencies, including the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, have repeatedly determined these WSAs unsuitable for wilderness designation through extensive studies and collaborative processes spanning decades. Despite these findings, the areas have remained under wilderness study area status, which the bill argues restricts effective land management. By removing these designations, the bill mandates that the land be managed according to existing, collaboratively developed land and resource management plans. This change is intended to facilitate improved public access, enhance sportsmen opportunities, and enable critical wildlife habitat and wildfire mitigation projects. Future management will continue to adhere to applicable environmental laws, local input, and principles of multiple-use and sustained yield.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-4470
Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2216
Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act
Dec 17, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-6788
Introduced in House
Dec 17, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Dec 17, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Feb 12, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
Mar 4, 2026
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-4470
    Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2216
    Montana Sportsmen Conservation Act


  • December 17, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-6788
    Introduced in House


  • December 17, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 17, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


  • February 12, 2026
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.


  • March 4, 2026
    Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Steve Daines

Steve Daines

Republican Senator

Montana

Cosponsors (1)
Tim Sheehy (Republican)

Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee, Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Environmental assessment, monitoring, researchLand use and conservationMontanaWilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats