Government

MONTANA — As the 2023 Legislature enters its second half, Montana Free Press is assessing how bills falling under the environmental umbrella — broadly defined — fared during the first 45 days of the session. Here we zero in on proposals to strike, add or amend laws and rules regulating coal mining, solar energy, exempt wells, water quality, net metering, grizzlies, wolves and more. NATURAL RESOURCES AND WATER Lawmakers are tangling with water quantity and water quality regulations as they look for ways to encourage residential development and weigh industry proposals to facilitate natural resource extraction against environmental protections. The former has been a ...

The 2023 Legislature has made it to the session’s halfway point. For those who spend their time at the Capitol, it means marathon days, intense rhetoric, and heightened tempers.  We went into this session laser-focused on an agenda that supports Montana families, like cutting property taxes for...

News from the MT Department of Commerce HELENA — To protect Montana businesses and encourage strong cybersecurity practices, the Montana Department of Commerce recently announced the launch of the Montana Cybersecurity Program. Through the program, the Department of Commerce will award small to me...

HELENA — All four members of Montana’s congressional delegation spoke to the Montana Legislature during a joint session of the Senate and the House on Monday, Feb. 20, talking to state lawmakers about the issues facing Congress, including the national debt and the fentanyl epidemic.  Demo...

News from the office of Senator Tester U.S. Senate – Earlier this week, the Disabled American Veterans awarded U.S. Senator Jon Tester their 2023 Veterans’ Champion Award for his numerous legislative achievements over the years and his longstanding commitment to supporting the nation’s...

News from Senate Republicans HELENA — As lawmakers wrap up the first half of the 2023 legislative session, Republicans are touting the final passage of over $1 billion in financial relief to Montanans.  “We said coming into the legislative session that providing financial relief to M...

News from the U.S. Dept. of the Interior WASHINGTON — As part of the continued work by the Departments of the Interior and Justice to implement the Not Invisible Act and combat the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP), Secretary Deb Haaland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Mona...

News from the U.S. Dept. of the Interior WASHINGTON — The Biden-Harris administration and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) recently announced the release of the 2023 Request for Proposals (RFP) for the “America the Beautiful Challenge.” The program, which was launched in 20...

HELENA — Montana lawmakers got an initial look Wednesday at a major land planning bill that aims to overhaul how development decisions are made in and around Montana’s fast-growing urban areas.  Senate Bill 382 would require additional planning by local governments, rework how and when re...

News from the Department of Revenue  HELENA — The Montana Department of Revenue would like to remind owners of real and personal property about several important deadlines approaching soon: March 1 Due Date - Business and industrial equipment owners must report their personal property...