By Clayton Murphy and Emma White | UM Legislative News Service, University of Montana School of Journalism Legislation Would Protect Private Water Rights on State Land and Sell Off Landlocked State Parcels HELENA — A bill protecting landowners from state seizure of private water rights on state lands has begun debate in the Senate, but not without concerns about school funding, water

By Clayton Murphy | UM Legislative News Service HELENA — A bill protecting landowners from state seizure of private water rights on state lands has begun debate in the Senate, but not without concerns about school funding, water rights cases and public land access. On March 21, Speaker of the House Brandon Ler, R-Savage, brought his House Bill 676 to the

By Emma White and Clayton Murphy | UM Legislative News Service, University of Montana School of Journalism HELENA – As the 2025 legislative session hits its halfway mark, the Capitol has been filled with plenty of drama. Two Senate leaders are being investigated for alleged ethics violations over private contracts, another senator pleaded guilty to a DUI, another senator resigned over clashes

By Clayton Murphy and Emma White | UM Legislative News Service, University of Montana School of Journalism Legislature Hears Piles of Bills Ahead of Key Mid-Session Deadline HELENA — Lawmakers are on break this week after several marathon debates on bills last week in the run up to the Legislature’s mid-session break. Last week was what Montana legislators call “transmittal week” —

By Clayton Murphy | UM Legislative News Service HELENA — A bill that would allow exceptions for vaccine requirements sparked impassioned debate on the Senate floor before advancing on a narrow vote on March 5. Senate Bill 474 would require schools, daycares and other organizations that require vaccinations to accept religious and medical exceptions. Sen. Cora Neumann, D-Bozeman, opposed the bill.