Montana Politics: Latest News

Montana’s new corrections director says he’d like to examine the entire prison system in the coming year and then come before lawmakers with a plan to increase the number of ex-cons succeeding once they leave prison or state supervision.

Montana lawmakers held a hearing Wednesday on a bill that would give the state the ability to resume executions through lethal injection.

Friendship Center Executive Director and former State House of Representatives Minority Leader Jenny Eck has announced she’ll be stepping down from her current position after receiving an international fellowship to pursue a master's degree in Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Republicans in the Montana House Wednesday advanced another bill that could restrict abortion in the state, by forbidding some taxpayer-subsidized insurance policies from covering abortions.

Montana hunting outfitters turned out in force Tuesday in support of a bill to set aside thousands of non-resident hunting licenses for their clients, arguing their businesses need the certainty to plan ahead and recover from the pandemic.

The two Republican members of Montana’s congressional delegation have introduced bills to reverse President Biden’s decision to halt construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.

Republicans on a House committee Tuesday narrowly revived and then approved a bill that would end Election Day voter-registration in Montana.

A proposal to increase starting-teacher pay in Montana won overwhelming endorsement from the state House Monday.

While President Biden’s order to halt oil-and-gas leasing on federal lands has been blasted by the industry and GOP members of Montana’s congressional delegation, the impact on actual production or revenues in the state appears minimal.

As Montana approaches the milestone of 100,000 COVID-19 vaccinations administered, state leaders are increasing their calls for the federal government to provide more vaccines.

As President Biden halts the Keystone XL Pipeline and oil-and-gas leasing on federal lands, Republican critics here are accusing him of ending thousands of jobs and costing the state millions in tax revenue. But what are true impacts?

Montana lawmakers are considering a bill that would limit when a business can be cited for failing an alcohol compliance check, or “sting.”

Montana lawmakers argued Tuesday over what type of testimony should be allowed, as they held a hearing on a bill seeking to block sanctuary cities in the state.

In a reversal from a day earlier, the Montana House Tuesday voted down a bill that would prohibit transgender youth from getting medical treatment or surgery related to a sex-change.

Former President Trump is accused of inciting insurrection, referring to the January 6 riot on Capitol Hill.

A bill that would expand where and how people could carry firearms has cleared another state legislative committee, after an extensive discussion about proposed amendments.

Pro-life and pro-choice advocates react to proposed Montana abortion legislation

On mostly party-line votes with Republicans in favor, the Montana House Monday overwhelmingly endorsed four bills that would restrict or further regulate abortion in Montana.

Most state agency directors appointed by Gov. Greg Gianforte are getting paid at substantially higher salaries than their predecessors under the Bullock administration – some as much as 46 percent more.

The Montana House has given initial approval to a bill that would provide compensation for people who have been wrongly convicted and imprisoned.

While Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte has made tax cuts a centerpiece of his overall state budget, minority Democrats at the Legislature are drawing up their own tax-cut plans – including a bigger proposed break for property taxpayers.

In a series of early-morning votes Thursday, a Republican-controlled committee at the Montana Legislature advanced five bills that would restrict or further regulate abortion and transgender athletes in the state.

The Montana Department of Administration reported no significant organized demonstrations at the Capitol, and for most of the day, no one was making any political displays outside the building.

Sens. Jon Tester and Steve Daines said they’re still waiting to see what the power-sharing agreement will be in the 50-50 Senate – and whether cooperation will overshadow partisan disagreement on Biden’s agenda.

Two bills restricting abortion in Montana had their first hearings Tuesday at the 2021 Montana Legislature, with the usual for-and-against arguments – but, this time, with a new undercurrent: They might actually become law.

A bill designed to protect Montana businesses and other entities from “frivolous lawsuits” related to Covid-19 – and which is also a top priority for Gov. Greg Gianforte -- sailed through the state Senate Monday.

Montana lawmakers held a lengthy hearing Monday on a pair of bills that would create new restrictions around transgender youth.

Under the bill, people who’ve been convicted and then later exonerated can file a claim in state District Court.

Montana lawmakers heard extensive testimony Thursday on a bill that seeks to give elected officials authority to review orders from local boards of health and health officers.