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The 69th session of the Montana Legislature began its work on Jan. 6. It was a day given over to ceremony. Governor Greg Gianforte took his oath of office at 10:30 in the morning followed by the other statewide elected officials. The 150 members of the Legislature were sworn in at noon followed by the formal election of the Speaker of the House, Mr. Brandon Ler, of Savage, Montana and President of the Senate, Mr. Matt Regier from Kalispell. The Republican Party holds a majority in both chambers with the Senate standing at 32 Republicans and 18...
The 69th Legislative Assembly began its work on Jan. 6. There are a number of major, controversial measures which will be discussed, argued and voted on including: THE CONTINUATION OF MEDICAID EXPANSION The Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare, contained a provision which allowed states to expand Medicaid coverage to people who had limited or lacked health insurance coverage. Passage of the state law necessary to implement “expanded Medicaid coverage” contained a sunset clause which causes the program to expire in 2025. The 202...
The election is over, and preparations have begun for the 69th Montana Legislative session. Last week those serving in 2025 met in Helena to greet old friends and meet many new ones. Legislative staff prepared orientations and trainings. Each party elected leadership, and the important tasks of committee assignments, parking spots, seating and finalizing housing were completed. The Governor’s Budget for the 2025 session was released. As we prepare for the session, both of us look forward to working with all of you in the Seeley-Swan and s...
On Sept. 17, the House Bill 5 Select Committee on Correctional System Capacity held its final meeting where it adopted its final report and recommendations. The report now goes to the Law and Justice Interim Committee and to the Governor for their consideration. The Select Committee was created by the 2023 Legislature and directed to study capacity issues in the state’s Correctional System and provide recommendations to address problems. Montana’s Correctional System is completely full with both state owned and contracted facilities ope...
John Fitzpatrick, who represented House District 77, including Anaconda and Granite County in the 2023 Legislature, announced on March 10 that he is a candidate for the Republican nomination to represent new House District 76. The Legislative Redistricting Commission radically altered the boundaries of several legislative seats in southwestern Montana. It created HD 76 by combining the Georgetown Lake area, where Fitzpatrick resides, with all of Granite and Powell Counties along with the Seeley Lake area of Missoula County and Canyon Creek...
