Latest Montana state government News
Governor drops bison plan, says he's protecting ranchers
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte said Tuesday he is ending a bison management plan that would have allowed the wide-ranging animals to be restored in more areas of the state. Citing the need to protect ranching interests, the Republican said the state...
Montana blocks bill to ban gender affirming surgery in youth
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The Montana Senate voted Tuesday to indefinitely postpone a bill that would have banned gender affirming surgery for transgender minors, effectively killing the proposal. The measure had faced significant opposition from medical experts, transgender...
Montana transgender athletes bill amended amid funding worry
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana lawmakers amended Tuesday a bill that would ban transgender athletes from competing in school and college sports according to the gender with which they identify. Under the amendment, the measure would be nullified if the federal government withholds education...
Montana Democratic Party challenges changes to voter ID laws
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The Montana Democratic Party has asked a judge to overturn a law that ends Election Day voter registration and another that requires college students to provide other proof of residency besides a student ID to register and vote. In the lawsuit filed...
Montana governor signs bill limiting power of health boards
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has signed a bill limiting the power of local public health boards to issue mandates in response to emergencies like the coronavirus pandemic. Local elected officials such as county commissioners can change or rescind...
Montana governor approves ending same-day voter registration
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed measures Monday to end same-day voter registration and require additional identifying information from those who use a student ID to register to vote. “Montana has a long history of secure, transparent elections,...
Students protest Montana bill to ban transgender athletes
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Students, transgender people and allies from across Montana gathered Monday in front of the state Capitol to protest a bill that would ban transgender athletes from competing in school and college sports under the gender with which they identify. ...
Montana lawmakers oppose more death penalty drug options
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Seven Republicans joined Democrats in the Montana Senate to kill a bill that would have given the state more latitude in selecting drugs to carry out lethal injections, as companies restrict access to drugs used in executions. “I was blown...
Montana lawmakers delay in-person meetings after virus case
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The Montana Legislature will postpone floor sessions and not meet in person after a “member of the government affairs community” tested positive for COVID-19, according to a Thursday evening press release. The individual who tested positive was...
Governor signs bills defending campus free speech in Montana
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte signed Thursday two bills that supporters say aim to protect freedom of expression and association on public university campuses in the state. The new law prohibits universities from denying resources to religious,...
