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Montana Politics Latest
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Legislature asking Corrections for details on reform results
More than three years into an overhaul of Montana’s criminal sentencing laws, the Legislature is preparing to ask the Corrections Department for extensive reporting on whether rehabilitation programs are working – including a rewritten definition of “recidivism.”Gianforte admin’s marijuana implementation bill introduced
One of the most anticipated bills of the 2021 Legislature – the measure containing the Gianforte administration’s proposal to implement recreational marijuana in Montana – was introduced Monday morning.GOP lawmaker introduces new state income-tax overhaul
A Republican state senator has introduced a major rewrite of the state income tax, saying it greatly simplifies the tax, lowers the top rate and eliminates taxes for as many as 50,000 low-income Montanans.Half-dozen Colstrip, energy bills alive at 2021 Legislature
More than a half-dozen GOP-sponsored bills to bolster the Colstrip power plants and undercut renewable power are advancing at the 2021 Legislature. Here’s a list of some of these bills, and their status:GOP lawmakers want to boost coal, Colstrip – not renewable power
While coal-fired power production is on the decline nationally, Republican lawmakers in Montana are looking to buck that trend, advancing an agenda this session to prolong the two remaining Colstrip power plants in southeastern Montana and de-emphasize wind and solar power.House Republicans advance big increase in private-school tax credit
Republicans in the Montana House Friday advanced a bill that dramatically increases a state tax credit that finances scholarships for private schools – a credit that led to a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision last year.Bill to boost Colstrip and coal-fired power blasted by critics
Consumer and environmental advocates teed off Thursday on a new bill meant to help the state’s biggest utility buy more coal-fired power from the Colstrip power plants, saying it would lead to grossly overcharging Montana electricity consumers.Daines and Tester support bill to give marijuana businesses access to banking
Montana’s U.S. senators are backing a bipartisan bill that would give legal medical and recreational marijuana businesses in the state access to banking.Montana Senate will conduct confirmation hearings on Bullock's last appointed judges
Which, and how many, Montanans register to vote on Election Day?
In the first Montana election where voters could register on Election Day – November 2006 – 4,315 Montanans took advantage of the new privilege, or about 1 percent of the total votes cast.Republicans advance bill to end Election Day voter-registration
A bill to end Election Day voter registration in Montana is only a few votes away from passing the Legislature, as the Montana Senate endorsed the measure 32-18 Tuesday.MT lawmakers will draft a multibillion-dollar Covid relief bill this week
From child-care grants to Covid-19 testing to $1 billion of infrastructure projects, Montana lawmakers this week must mash together the kitchen-sink of spending bills, authorizing as much as $3 billion of federal Covid relief and stimulus funds. -
Saturday is "Montana Meat Day"
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has proclaimed Saturday, March 20 as “Montana Meat Day” following Colorado Gov. Jared Polis declaring the day as “MeatOut Day” in his state.Broadband bonanza: How will the Legislature wire up Montana?
A multimillion-dollar chance to bring high-speed Internet to the hundreds of thousands of Montanans without it is before the 2021 Legislature – a chance lawmakers and others see as a huge economic opportunity.Bill to overhaul Montana marijuana system currently in drafting process
What is likely to be the main marijuana reform bill debated in the Montana Legislature this year is now making its way through the editing process."Personhood" abortion ban advances on party-line House vote
Republicans in the Montana House advanced a proposed constitutional amendment that would lead to banning all abortion in Montana – but the measure is unlikely to make it to the 2022 ballot.Senate Judiciary Committee sends bills to Senate floor
Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday advanced a pair of bills restricting transgender athletes and medical procedures for transgender youth, sending both measures to the Senate floor.Gianforte admin proposing $350M broadband expansion plan
The Gianforte administration Wednesday proposed spending $350 million of federal money over the next four years to expand and enhance high-speed Internet in Montana – and said that still wouldn’t meet the needs in the entire state.Bipartisan group of former elected officials challenge SB 140 as unconstitutional
A legal challenge to Senate Bill 140, which gives the governor broader powers to appoint state judges, has been filed one day after Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the bill into law.LGBTQ+ community and supporters pack Capitol steps to oppose legislation
Members and advocates of the LGBTQ+ community packed the steps of the State Capitol on Monday to urge lawmakers to vote down bills they say will lead to more discrimination.