Montana Politics

Montana's two senators are split on their support for the first Native American to be nominated to a Cabinet post. And the state Legislature is hurtling towards its mid-session break with a flurry of bills addressing abortion, transgender surgery and tax cuts, among others. Listen now on Capitol Talk with Sally Mauk, Holly Michels and Rob Saldin.

Four bills that aim to further regulate access to abortion in Montana were endorsed by the state Senate Friday. Each bill passed mostly along party lines, with Republicans voting in favor of the proposals and Democrats voting against.

Efforts to expand who and where people can carry guns in Montana continue in the Legislature after a major policy signed into law last week allowed concealed carry of firearms in most places in the state. Lawmakers this week advanced one bill and rejected another.

The Montana House of Representatives endorsed a bill that would bar doctors from performing certain medical procedures for transgender youth.

Lawmakers on the House Business and Labor Committee heard testimony Wednesday on several bills that would change workers’ compensation, including one that would allow essential workers to receive benefits if they contract COVID-19.

Montana lawmakers are considering several bills this session that aim to regulate election practices, including one that’s nearly identical to a policy that’s currently tied up in court.

Montana lawmakers advanced three bills Tuesday requested by Gov. Greg Gianforte to reduce taxes for residents and business owners. They tabled another bill that would have broadened the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit. Gianforte and his Republican colleagues in the statehouse say the proposed tax cuts are key to carrying out the governor’s so-called Montana Comeback Plan.

Montana lawmakers are giving shorter notice for some public hearings as their work picks up speed and a deadline approaches for bills to pass through the chambers. The deadline is leading to marathon policy meetings.

Montana lawmakers have advanced a second bill aimed at protecting entities from civil liability related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lawmakers gave initial approval to the policy, which would protect government organizations, including public school systems and private health care providers from coronavirus-related lawsuits unless they exhibit gross negligence in preventing the spread of the virus.

As of midday Friday 918 bills had been introduced and Gov. Greg Gianforte had signed three bills into law. This week we’re watching legislation on tax policy, public health and labor unions.

Bills heard this week at the Capitol seek to: limit the ability of local governments and health departments to require restrictions during a public health emergency; limit services to LGBTQ people in the name of religious freedom; make Montana a right-to-work state; declare antifa a domestic terrorist organization — even though there isn't such an organization. And after years of criticizing dark money groups, former Gov. Steve Bullock raises eyebrows by taking a position with a PAC tied to dark money. Listen now on Capitol Talk with Sally Mauk, Holly Michels and Rob Saldin.

Montana lawmakers heard a bill on Wednesday that would ban anonymous reporting of child abuse allegations. House Bill 356 would prohibit investigations into child abuse allegations if they are reported by anonymous sources, and would require people reporting abuse to give their name and address.

Montana lawmakers added $1 billion back into a preliminary outline of the state health department’s biennial budget. The lawmakers overseeing state health finances voted unanimously to restore the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services budget.

Montana lawmakers are considering bills to expand who is eligible for vaccine-mandate exemptions in workplaces and schools.

The Montana House of Representatives has advanced a bill to prohibit zoning regulations requiring housing developers to sell units at below-market prices.

After nearly two decades of a Democratic governor vetoing anti-abortion legislation, Montana is poised for a major change — and possible legal battles — over laws that allow for broad access to abortion.

As of mid-day Friday 731 bills have been introduced , and Gov. Greg Gianforte has signed 2 bills into law. This week, we’re watching bills about vaccines, Colstrip, and public assistance programs.

Montana's two senators are expected to split their votes on impeachment. The governor has lifted the state's mandatory mask mandate, and Attorney General Austin Knudsen joins the effort to reverse a Biden administration decision to halt the Keystone pipeline. Listen now on Capitol Talk with Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin and Holly Michels.

On Friday, Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte repealed an executive order put in place by his Democratic predecessor that aimed to combat so-called "dark money" in political elections . He announced his repeal of former Gov. Steve Bullock's executive order on campaign finance disclosure in a Friday press release that also made good on Gianforte's promise to repeal former Bullock’s statewide mask mandate .

A fifth Montana lawmaker has tested positive for COVID-19. Republican Sen. Ross Fitzgerald last worked in the Capitol in-person February 5. Republican leaders announced that Fitzgerald, from Fairfield, got tested for the coronavirus on Wednesday after being identified as a close contact of another unnamed lawmaker who contracted the virus.