By Clayton Murphy | UM Community News Service HELENA — It’s now up to Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte to pick between two conservation-focused models for distributing state marijuana revenue—an account that drew in nearly $60 million in 2024. Billings Republican Sen. Daniel Zolnikov’s Senate Bill 537 allocates 31 percent of that fund to law enforcement grants and 14 percent to a

By Clayton Murphy | UM Community News Service HELENA — Two major property tax relief bills passed Wednesday, ultimately putting an end to the 69th Montana Legislature—but not without fiery pushback from hard-line Republicans and charged debates in the Senate.  Property tax reform was one of the biggest issues facing lawmakers this session. In the last three days of the session,

By Clayton Murphy | UM Community News Service, University of Montana School of Journalism HELENA — In two years, the next Montana Legislature will reconvene in Helena. But before then, the 2025 legislature has asked for studies on everything from farmers’ markets to changing the date of primary elections. In total, lawmakers have proposed 80 different study bills in 2025. That’s 42

By Clayton Murphy | UM Community News Service HELENA – It is likely the final week of the 2025 legislative session and lawmakers continue to disagree on property tax solutions. House Bill 231 and Senate Bill 542 would both provide similar rebates for taxes on primary residences and reduce overall residential property taxes. But both now need to be discussed in

By Emma White | UM Legislative News Service, University of Montana School of Journalism Homestead Exemption Narrowly Passes Senate Preliminary Vote HELENA – After heated debate, a bill that will lower property taxes for primary residences while raising taxes for second homes and short-term rentals awaits final approval from the House before hitting Gov. Greg Gianforte’s desk House Bill 231 is one

By Emma White | UM Legislative News Service, University of MT School of Journalism HELENA – The House of Representatives advanced legislation on April 25 that will create a study of early literacy rates in Montana’s children, a move proponents say will help address low rates of reading proficiency in young kids. Rep. Linda Reksten, R-Polson, said House Resolution 63 will provide

By Emma White | UM Legislative News Service, University of Montana School of Journalism HELENA – After heated debate, a bill that will raise property taxes for second homes and short-term rentals while lowering taxes and providing abatements for long-term rentals and primary residences passed the first vote in the Senate on April 22 of 26-24. The Senate will take a final