Daines’ Bill to Improve Access to Montana’s Outdoors Heads to President’s Desk
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today hailed the U.S. Senate’s unanimous passage of his legislation to improve maintenance of Montana’s National Forest trails. The National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act would ensure existing Forest Service resources are better used to maintain National Forest trails. It would also significantly increase the role of volunteers and local partners in maintaining the usability and sustainability of the National Forest trail system. “Too many of our National Forest trails are left unmaintained, making it difficult for Montanans to enjoy our state’s treasured lands,” Daines stated. “This bill will make incremental progress in protecting and maintain our nation’s trail
The Verge: What Does Congress Want From Smart Helmets, HoloLens, and Pokemon Go?
Yesterday afternoon, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation met with representatives from the world of augmented reality for the first Congressional hearing on the industry. That included general counsel from the Entertainment Software Association; the CEO of AR helmet company Daqri; and John Hanke, CEO of Niantic — the company behind this summer’s massive hit game Pokémon Go. Depending on how you define it, augmented reality has implications for everything from privacy to distracted driving. But while senators expressed some criticism, they were also clearly interested in how AR could expand the economy and solve various social woes. The answers participants gave may
BuzzFeed: Lawmakers Want to Halt Changes That Would Allow Trump Wider Hacking Abilities
A group of senators are making a last-ditch effort to delay proposed changes to a federal rule that would greatly expand the government current hacking powers. The Review the Rule Act would delay the proposed changes to Rule 41, officially known as the Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 41, from going into effect until July 1, 2017. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court approved proposed changes to Rule 41, giving Congress until Dec. 1 to modify, reject, or postpone the changes established by the court before they become law. Broadly speaking, Rule 41 deals with circumstances in which the government is allowed to tap
Daines Applauds House Committee Passage of Blackfeet Water Compact
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee’s passage of the Blackfeet water compact. Earlier today, the House Natural Resources Committee passed H.R. 5633 the “Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act.” The bill would authorize and implement the water rights compact among the Blackfeet Tribe of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, the State of Montana, and the United States. The compact passed by a unanimous vote. “I’m thrilled to see this milestone for the Blackfeet water rights settlement,” Daines stated. “This compact is long overdue and I remain committed to seeing it enacted into law.” Daines worked to include authorization for
Flathead Beacon: Blackfeet Water Compact Sails Through Key Committee
In a unanimous vote Wednesday, the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee passed the Blackfeet Water Rights Settlement Act, moving one step closer toward full congressional approval of the historic compact, which has been awaiting ratification since 2010. Negotiations between the Blackfeet Tribe, local communities and state and federal governments began more than 30 years ago to establish water rights in and around the reservation. The compact will also help rehabilitate the Four Horns Dam and long-neglected, century-old Blackfeet Irrigation Project; give the tribe the ability to use, lease or exchange water on tribal land; and protect the rights of non-Indian
Daines Hails Passage of Legislation Honoring Gold Star Families
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today hailed the U.S. Senate passage of legislation to preserve the stories of servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of the United States. H.R. 4511, the Gold Star Families Voices Act, will allow the parents, spouses, siblings and children of fallen heroes to participate in the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress and tell the stories of their loved ones—ensuring the preservation of the lives and sacrifices of servicemembers. “By preserving the legacy of the brave men and women who fought on behalf of our nation, we can better understand the
Daines Slams BLM’s Methane and Waste Prevention Rule
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today slammed the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) newly issued methane and waste prevention rule that stifles Montana’s energy future. “This is yet another example of the Obama administration getting dangerously close to regulating this industry out of business in the U.S.,” Daines stated. “I look forward to seeing President-elect Trump and Congress stop this assault on energy innovation.” Alan Olson, Montana Petroleum Association: “The Montana Petroleum Association and their member producing companies are extremely disappointed that the Bureau of Land Management has concluded rulemaking on venting and flaring of natural gas. The State
Daines Announces Ticket Availability for Presidential Inauguration
U.S. SENATE —U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced ticket availability for Montanans interested in attending the inauguration of the 45th president of the United States, Donald J. Trump. The President-elect will take the oath of office Friday, January 20, 2017 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Montanans interested in attending the inauguration of President-elect Trump can do so by submitting a ticket request at: https://www.daines.senate.gov/2017-inauguration. “The inauguration is a time honored American tradition and I look forward to seeing many Montanans in our nation’s Capitol,” Daines stated. “Montanans interested in attending the swearing in of the President-elect can do so free of charge by
Great Falls Tribune: Montana Politicians Criticize New Emissions Rule
On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced the final Methane and Waste Prevention Rule drafted by the Bureau of Land Management. The final rule will become effective Jan. 17, 2017. The rule is intended to conserve the nation’s natural gas produced on public and tribal lands and prevent the harmful and wasteful release of natural gas into the atmosphere. Though technology for oil and gas management has progressed, the rules against waste as a result of venting, flaring and leaks have not been updated since 1979. A report conducted in 2010 by the Government Accountability Office suggested