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
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By Clayton Murphy | UM Legislative News Service HELENA — A bill in the Legislature would offer free school breakfast and lunch to all students who qualify for reduced meals. Supporters say it would offer critical help for children as grocery prices increase and food security becomes scarcer for families. Kim Popham, Director of Public Policy and Research for the Montana
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By Clayton Murphy | UM Community News Service HELENA — The March 18 Senate Fish and Game Committee meeting was dedicated entirely to three hours of fiery debate on two controversial gray wolf management bills from Rep. Paul Fielder, R-Thompson Falls. House Bill 258 would extend the seven-month wolf hunting season by another three months and House Bill 259 would legalize
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By Clayton Murphy | UM Legislative News Service HELENA — Montanans could have access to fully insured mental health screenings if a bill working its way through the Legislature passes. Sen. Mike Yakawich, R-Billings, is carrying Senate Bill 244, which would mandate insurance coverage for standardized, evidence-based behavioral health screenings and assessments. The Senate passed the bill on a 40-8 vote
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The Great Falls Public Schools board budget committee met March 18 and unanimously voted to recommend that the district forgo a levy this year. The full board will consider that recommendation and make a final decision during their March 24 meeting. The committee includes Mark Finnicum, Paige Turoski and Bill Bronson. The district is projecting a nearly $2.5 million shortfall
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By Clayton Murphy | UM Legislative News Service and Jenn Rowell | The Electric HELENA — Rep. James Reavis, D-Billings, said the 14th Amendment requires “fitness to proceed” — meaning those charged with a crime must be able to understand what they are being accused of. Reavis is sponsoring House Bill 236 in an effort to protect prisoners’ constitutional rights to
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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
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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” —
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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.
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By Clayton Murphy | UM Legislative News Service HELENA — As the Montana Legislature hits its mid-session break, a second Senate leader is in the hot seat over a contract he made before this session convened. On the eve of the first hearing on ethics allegations against former Republican Senate President Jason Ellsworth, lawmakers voted on March 6 to refer
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