A group of young Montanans is back in court, claiming new laws passed by the 2025 Legislature violate their right to a clean and healthy environment. This follows their previous win in the historic Held v. Montana climate lawsuit.
Last week, they filed a petition with the Montana Supreme Court against the state, Governor Greg Gianforte, and the Department of Environmental Quality. The youth are challenging three laws—House Bills 285 and 291 and Senate Bill 221—that were introduced after last year’s ruling.
Nate Bellinger, the lead attorney for the plaintiffs, stated, “Montana’s leaders are openly defying the Constitution.” He emphasized that these youths are already facing harm and that the state has a duty to protect them. Conversely, House Speaker Brandon Ler suggested that activists are sidestepping the legislative process by using the courts instead.
In 2023, a district court ruled that the state could not limit greenhouse gas emissions analysis during environmental reviews. This reaffirmed the plaintiffs’ right to a clean environment, leading to the recent legislative response from Republicans meant to tweak the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) and the Montana Clean Air Act.
Ler, who sponsored HB 285, claims it provides clarity to MEPA. The law now includes a way for agencies to analyze greenhouse gas emissions but emphasizes that MEPA should not block permits or actions. Critics argue that this change “blinds” agencies to environmental harms during reviews, hindering their ability to prevent damage before it occurs.
Senate Bill 221 also narrows MEPA’s scope, focusing only on immediate environmental impacts and excluding indirect actions from consideration. This restriction has raised concerns about ignoring the broader effects of fossil fuel projects.
Another challenge comes from HB 291, which prevents the state from instituting stricter air pollution standards than those set federally. The plaintiffs argue this effectively caps state regulatory authority, undermining efforts to address greenhouse gas emissions effectively.
The thirteen young plaintiffs, aged 15 to 24, previously involved in Held v. Montana, feel a deep connection to their home state. Rikki Held, one of the youth, expressed her motivation clearly: “I love Montana, which is why I am taking action again to protect my home and its people.” She highlighted that the state’s recent laws worsen the harms they’ve already identified.
The petition asks the Supreme Court to consider these legal points based on scientific findings about the climate’s impact on Montana’s youth established during the earlier trial.
As the debate heats up, this case reflects a growing national trend where young activists increasingly challenge state governments on environmental grounds. The urgency from these youth fits into a larger picture of climate activism seen across the United States, as they increasingly take part in protests and legal actions advocating for change.
For those interested, you can view more on the subject in reports from Montana’s Department of Environmental Quality and environmental studies regarding youth climate activism.
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greenhouse gas emissions,Greg Gianforte,HB 281,HB 285,held v montana,Legislature 2025,Montana Department of Environmental Quality,SB 221,Sen. Wylie Galt,Speaker of the House Brandon Ler
