House rejects anti-Agenda 21 bill

HELENA (AP) – A bill aiming to protect property rights in Montana from an obscure global development concept known as Agenda 21 has failed in the House.

Sponsored by Republican Rep. Randy Pinocci of Sun River, House Bill 583 failed 59-41 Tuesday.

Agenda 21 is a non-binding resolution, signed by Republican President George H.W. Bush in 1992, urging nations to conserve open land and steer development toward more populous areas. Some conservatives across the country see Agenda 21 as an indication of a United Nations takeover.

Pinocci says his bill would allow Montana to reject what the United Nations and federal government says to do regarding sustainable development.

Opponents say Agenda 21 is only a list of recommendations regarding smart growth and that no one has come forward from a local government saying they’ve been forced to accept the guidelines.