Featured Articles in Montana Politics

USITC Advances Probe Into Russian Palladium Imports After Montana Delegation Push

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has voted to continue its investigation into imports of unwrought palladium from Russia, ruling there is reasonable indication that the U.S. mining industry is being harmed by unfairly priced and subsidized Russian imports. The decision follows a letter last month from Montana’s congressional delegation urging the Trump administration to Read More…

Daines Introduces Bill to Protect Religious Student Groups on College Campuses

Senator Steve Daines has introduced the Equal Campus Access Act of 2025, legislation aimed at ensuring public colleges and universities do not discriminate against religious student organizations. Daines said the measure is designed to safeguard religious liberty for students of faith, requiring schools that receive federal funding to treat religious groups the same as any Read More…

All in: Montana Politics

Montana House to consider resolution that states ABA rule unconstitutional

The Montana House Judiciary committee will look at resolution this week that states a proposed American Bar Association rule limits free speech and is unconstitutional. Proposed Rule 8.4 (g) states: “It is professional misconduct for a lawyer to engage in conduct that the lawyer knows or reasonably should know is harassment or discrimination on the basis of Read More…

Daines, Tester Introduce Timber Innovation Act

High-rise wood-framed buildings are a rarity in the United States, but that may change with the help of a bipartisan bill that calls for accelerating research and development of tall wood buildings. U.S. Sens. Steve Daines, a Republican, and Jon Tester, a Democrat, have introduced legislation they say would support Montana’s timber industry, create jobs Read More…

Residents voice opinions on charter schools, fuel tax increase during town hall meeting

Establishing public charter schools and an increase in the fuel tax took up much of the discussion during a town hall meeting featuring State Sen. Steve Hinebauch, R-Wibaux, and Rep. Scott Staffanson, R-Sidney, in Sidney on Saturday night. The meeting took place during the midway point of the Montana legislative session. Sidney Superintendent of Schools Read More…

BOTTLING PLANT DEBATED IN HELENA

About a dozen Flathead residents opposed to a controversial water-bottling plant proposed in Creston testified in the Montana State Capitol Wednesday afternoon, lending their support to legislation that would subject the facility to an additional environmental review before it can be approved. Sen. Bob Keenan, R-Bigfork, is sponsoring Senate Bill 215, which would add water-packaging Read More…

Rob Quist

Quist says he will only take union, liberal special interest money

Helena – Democratic Congressional candidate Rob Quist’s campaign says it will only take political action committee (PAC) money from unions and liberal special interest groups. In a statement released to the media on Wednesday, the banjo player and singer turned politician said he will not accept any PAC money from committees associated with corporations. Campaign Read More…

Bullock vetoes protection for state whistleblowers

Helena – Governor Steve Bullock vetoed House Bill 202 which would have provided new protections for state employee whistleblowers. The bill sponsored by Representative Kirk Wagoner passed both the House and Senate with bipartisan support. It would add new protections for public employees who report “matters of public concern” to the legislature. In a press Read More…

Greg Gianforte

Republicans unite around Gianforte for special election

Helena – On Monday night, Bozeman businessman Greg Gianforte easily secured the Republican nomination for the special election to replace Congressman Ryan Zinke. Gianforte was selected in the first round of voting securing 150.5 votes, 123 votes were needed to win the nomination. Greg Gianforte beat out six other Republican candidates, Rep. Carl Glimm, Sen. Read More…

14 people hope to replace Zinke in Washington D.C.

Here’s a look at the people hoping to replace Ryan Zinke as Montana’s congressional representative. There are eight Democrats hoping for their party’s nomination. Amanda Curtis is a member of Montana House of Representative… She sponsored the “hire Montana first act”. When not in session Curtis works as a high school math teacher… She serves Read More…

Moore’s bill would kill state-owned worker’s comp fund

State Sen. Eric Moore, R-Miles City, was expected to introduce legislation this afternoon to modernize the way workers’ compensation insurance is purchased in Montana. The measure, if approved, would eliminate the state-operated Montana State Fund, which is currently the largest provider of workers’ compensation insurance in the state. The bill would allow for greater competition Read More…

Transportation department gives out $2.4 million in raises while seeking tax increase

Helena – A recently released state audit that included the Montana Department of Transportation shows that MDT gave out raises to 82% of employees while postponing construction projects and asking the legislature to raise the state gas tax. The audited conducted by the Legislative Audit Division revealed that MDT handed out raises of $2.4 Million Read More…

Steve Bullock

MDT Chief: Bullock wants to raise gas tax

Helena – Despite months of campaigning on fiscal responsibility and opposition to a statewide sales tax, Governor Steve Bullock is now supporting a raising the state fuel tax. At a contentious confirmation hearing this week, Department of Transportation director Mike Tooley admitted the Bullock administration wanted to propose an increase in the fuel tax but Read More…

Two applicants seek to replace Jon Motl as commissioner of political practices

Only two people filed applications by Friday’s deadline to indicate their desire to replace the state’s commissioner of political practices, Jon Motl.   Michael Larson of Billings submitted his application to be the state’s campaign watchdog last week. Larson was a Billings City Commissioner from 1996 to 2004, a nonpartisan office. From Bozeman Daily Chronicle

Tim Fox

Fox overturns Missoula gun ordinance

Helena – Montana Attorney General Tim Fox has issued an Attorney General opinion that nullifies a Missoula City Council ordinance that would require background checks for private gun purchases within Missoula city limits. Fox ruled Thursday that the ordinance violates state law stating that, “Plainly interpreted, the Montana Legislature has prohibited all forms of local Read More…

Gov. Steve Bullock slated to speak at David Brock-led Democratic conference in Florida on Saturday

The nation’s capital descended into inauguration madness today. Masked protesters smashing store windows. A former America’s Got Talent competitor crooning “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Our new president promising a skittish country that “I will never, ever let you down.” Quite a ways down the coast, at Miami’s Turnberry Isle Resort, politicians and progressive donors are presently Read More…

Austin Knudsen

Lawmakers question Bullock’s budget ahead of State of the State address

Helena – Montana’s state budget has been the biggest issue of the legislative session so far, that will likely continue when Governor Steve Bullock delivers the annual State of the State address this week. When he released his budget proposal in November, Bullock said in a press release that “Montanans expect our state’s leaders to Read More…