HELENA — A judge in Helena has dismissed the lawsuit brought by state Rep. Zooey Zephyr challenging the constitutionality of disciplinary actions taken by legislative Republicans against her during the recent session. District Court Judge Mike Menahan deemed the lawsuit moot, stating that Zephyr’s disciplinary measures ceased with the conclusion of the session.
In April, Zephyr, a transgender woman representing D-Missoula, faced a speech restriction on the House floor for several days after criticizing Republican lawmakers. House Speaker Rep. Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, justified not recognizing her to speak by expressing concerns about her ability to maintain decorum.
During a particular session, Zephyr’s supporters protested Regier’s decision, causing a disruption by chanting “Let her speak!” from the House gallery. Law enforcement eventually cleared the gallery, and Zephyr, while at her desk, held her microphone overhead throughout the protest.
Following the protest, House leadership initiated a motion to bar Zephyr from the House floor, anteroom, and gallery until the session’s end, citing violations of the House’s rules, collective rights, safety, dignity, integrity, and decorum. The Montana Constitution grants the House the authority to “expel or punish a member for good cause” with a two-thirds majority vote. In this case, the 68 GOP members, holding a two-thirds supermajority, supported the motion, while all 32 Democrats opposed it.