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E-bike bill advances in key House floor vote

HELENA — A bill that would explicitly open much of Montana’s trail network to e-bikes is positioned to clear the House of Representatives following lawmakers’ 54-46 vote to advance the measure. During a Thursday afternoon floor session, House Bill 261 sponsor Rep. Steve Gunderson, R-Libby, said his bill would help Montana catch up to other states by establishing a regulatory framework for electrically assisted bicycles, or e-bikes. It also gives land managers a “tool,” Gunderson said, to close some roads, pathways and trails to e-bikes in the absence of comprehensive state laws governing their use.  In his opening remarks, Gunderson said that current...


Bill would let cities tax Airbnbs to subsidize long-term rentals

HELENA — A bill under consideration at the Montana Legislature would give cities, counties and resort districts the option of levying a tax on Airbnb-style, short-term rentals if they use the money to give rebates to landlords who rent to local workers on a long-term basis. Sponsored by Rep. Jane Gi...


House Republicans kill permanent property tax relief for Montanans 

News from Montana House Democrats HELENA—On Feb. 15, on the floor of the House, Montana Republicans voted against providing meaningful, long-term property tax relief for working Montanans by killing HB 280, which would ensure that Montana homeowners receive a refund when their property taxes rise ...


Governor Gianforte: Let’s Deliver on Montanans’ Priorities Governor Gianforte: Let’s Deliver on Montanans’ Priorities

News from the office of Governor Gianforte HELENA – Following his visit to Lewistown yesterday, Governor Greg Gianforte today urged legislators to deliver on Montanans’ priorities by sending a historic tax package and pro-housing reforms to his desk.  “Folks in Lewistown told m...


Right-to-work resurfaces at the Montana Legislature, as do dozens of pro-union opponents Right-to-work resurfaces at the Montana Legislature, as do dozens of pro-union opponents

HELENA — The Capitol was awash in shades of hi-vis yellow and orange Friday as dozens of union workers testified in opposition to proposed legislation that would establish Montana as the country’s 28th right-to-work state.  The bill, Buffalo Republican Rep. James Bergstrom’s House B...


Date set for climate-smart agriculture funding

News from USDA BOZEMAN — The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Montana is accepting applications for the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, Conservation Stewardship Program, and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. The funding for this current cycle comes through the...


House Democrats introduce bill to pay Community Health Care Providers market rates

News from Montana House Democrats HELENA — On Friday, Feb. 17, Vice Chair of House Appropriations Mary Caferro (D-Helena) introduced LC2441, a bill to fully fund community health care providers at the rate recommended by the state-funded Guidehouse studies – a crucial step in addressing the ...


DPHHS promotes resources to help Montanans find cancer treatment services

News from DPHHS Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and Montana Cancer Coalition officials are promoting resources to help Montanans find cancer care services available in the state. The DPHHS Montana Cancer Coalition Program (MCCP) offers two interactive maps to support Montanans ...


Senate resolution opposes national sales tax

News from the office of Senator Tester U.S. Senate — On Feb. 15, U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) introduced a Senate resolution opposing H.R. 25, proposed legislation from House Republicans that would effectively create a 30 percent national sales tax. “A natio...


USDA announces grants, public meeting for urban agriculture, innovative production

News from USDA WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making available up to $7.5 million for grants through its Office of Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (OUAIP). The competitive grants will support the development of urban agriculture and innovative production proj...


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