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Category Archives: Legislature

Alluvion cutting, furloughing staff due to Medicaid claims backlog

Posted on September 28, 2023 by Jenn Rowell

Alluvion Health is reducing staff and furloughing management due to reductions in their revenue stream related to Medicaid claim processing. Trista Besich, Alluvion’s director, told The Electric that significant delays in the state Medicaid system processing their claims and contracts have significantly impacted their cash flow for operations. She said that about 50 percent of Alluvion’s patients are on Medicaid

Montana Department of Revenue beginning to issue tax rebates July 3

Posted on June 28, 2023 by Jenn Rowell

Montana income taxpayers may notice extra money in their bank accounts or a rebate check in the mail next month. The Montana Department of Revenue will begin issuing rebates of 2021 individual income taxes to more than 530,000 qualifying Montana taxpayers beginning July 3. The department anticipates distributing most rebates by Aug. 31, according to a department release. Taxpayers do

Lawmakers amend proposed bill to keep protections for libraries and museums in “obscene” materials rule

Posted on February 6, 2023 by Jenn Rowell

The proposed bill that would change state law related to the availability of obscene materials to minors was updated to maintain the exceptions for public libraries and museums. House Bill 234, as amended, would remove the exception for public school staff to the public display or dissemination of obscene materials to minors. The bill passed out of the House judiciary

Lawmakers consider change to marijuana rules, penalties

Posted on February 2, 2023 by Jenn Rowell

By Elinor Smith | UM Legislative News Service, UM School of Journalism HELENA — The House Business and Labor Committee is considering a series of bills that seek to clarify regulation of marijuana sales in Montana, addressing issues from medical versus recreational use to the smell of marijuana manufacturing. The most extensive bill heard at a committee meeting Feb. 1 is sponsored

Lawmakers consider change to “obscene” materials rule for libraries, museums, public schools

Posted on February 2, 2023 by Jenn Rowell

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would remove protections for librarians, museum staff and public school employees in relation to the availability of obscene materials to minors. House Bill 234 would remove the long-standing exception for libraries, museums and public school staff to the public display or dissemination of obscene materials to minors. Proponents of the bill argued that

Lawmakers hear testimony on bills that would fund $1.3 billion in infrastructure projects

Posted on January 30, 2023 by Jenn Rowell

By Caven Wade | UM Legislative News Service, University of Montana School of Journalism In the last 11 years, the city of Havre has had 255 water main breaks. The city’s public works director, Dave Pederson, says 46 of those breaks happened in the last two years alone. “During main breaks, large sections of the city are without water for a long

Lawmakers looking at options to address Montana’s healthcare worker shortage

Posted on January 27, 2023 by Jenn Rowell

By Keely Larson | KHN-UM Legislative News Service Jenna Eisenhart spent nearly six years as a licensed therapist in Colorado before deciding to move to a place with a greater need for her services. She researched rural states facing a shortage of behavioral health providers and accepted a job as a lead clinical primary therapist at Shodair Children’s Hospital in Helena,

Governor’s property tax package seen by lawmakers

Posted on January 24, 2023 by Jenn Rowell

By Caven Wade | UM Legislative News Service, University of Montana School of Journalism HELENA – One week before Gov. Greg Gianforte was scheduled to give his State of the State address to the Montana Legislature, a panel of lawmakers tabled and then revived one of the flagship bills in his tax package, which would spend a quarter of the state’s nearly

Gianforte appoints new commissioner of political practices

Posted on January 19, 2023 by Jenn Rowell

Gov. Greg Gianforte appointed Chris Gallus on Jan. 19 to serve as the next commissioner of political practices. Gallus’ appointment fills the vacancy after Jeff Mangan resigned, effective Dec. 30, 2022. Gallus is a Butte native and graduate of Carroll College and the University of Montana School of Law, according to a release from Gianforte’s office. Gallus has practiced law

Legislature looking to improve election security

Posted on January 16, 2023 by Jenn Rowell

By Elinor Smith | UM Legislative News Service, UM School of Journalism HELENA – The House State Administration Committee heard testimony Jan. 16 on a bill that supporters say would improve the security of Montana’s elections. House Bill 173 would require the manufacturer of vote counting machines to certify they are free of any external communication devices as well as assign felony

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