A group of young people from Montana is heading back to court over environmental laws they believe violate their constitutional right to a healthy environment. This is part of the ongoing case known as Held v. Montana. They’re challenging new laws passed by the state legislature in 2025 that they say undermine a previous Supreme Court ruling supporting their claims.
In their new petition to the Montana Supreme Court, they argue that these laws—specifically House Bills 285 and 291 and Senate Bill 221—ignore the state’s responsibility to protect the environment and public health. Lead attorney Nate Bellinger remarked, “Montana’s leaders are defying both the Constitution and the Supreme Court.” He stressed that the new laws are an attempt to weaken protections that had been established for the youth plaintiffs.
On the other hand, Speaker of the House Brandon Ler claims these activists are bypassing legislative processes by using the courts to force their agenda. He argues that the new laws were necessary to clarify the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) and its intent, stating, “They tried to twist MEPA into something it was never meant to be.”
Interestingly, a 2023 district court ruling had already affirmed these young plaintiffs’ right to a clean environment and limited the state’s ability to ignore greenhouse gas emissions in environmental reviews. Following this, lawmakers introduced bills intended to modify MEPA and the Montana Clean Air Act.
For instance, House Bill 285 adds some mechanisms for reviewing greenhouse gases but limits the authority of agencies to deny permits based on environmental findings. Plaintiffs argue this effectively “blinds” state agencies to potential harms, thus allowing them to risk serious environmental damage.
Senate Bill 221 narrows the review focus to “proximate” environmental impacts, leaving out broader considerations. According to the plaintiffs, these restrictions will allow significant environmental harms—especially from fossil fuel projects—to go unexamined.
Another law, House Bill 291, restricts Montana from adopting air quality standards that are tougher than federal regulations. This limits the state’s ability to manage greenhouse gases effectively.
The thirteen young plaintiffs, aged between 15 and 24, are passionate about their cause. Rikki Held said, “The Supreme Court has confirmed we have the right to a clean environment. Yet new laws are making our situation worse.” They are experiencing real consequences from climate change, including polluted air and increased wildfires—issues that they believe are being worsened by the new legislation.
As the case unfolds, it reflects a growing trend of young activists challenging governments on climate issues, both in the U.S. and globally. Recent statistics show that youth activism is on the rise, with many young people increasingly vocal about their concerns over climate change and environmental policies.
Experts believe this trend may reshape future political discourse, pushing for greater accountability and stricter environmental regulations. It’s a wake-up call that many young people feel they must answer, not just for themselves but for future generations.
This case has sparked significant conversations on social media, with many supporters sharing their views under hashtags like #YouthClimateMovement and #HeldvMontana. The ongoing legal battle may also influence other states grappling with similar environmental concerns.
As this situation develops, all eyes will be on the Montana Supreme Court to see how they respond to these young activists’ claims and the broader implications for environmental policy across the country.
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