What the Helena

• 2025 Board Elections!June 26, 2025

  It’s that time of the year again! We have five spots with seven awesome candidates to choose from. If you are a member of Forward Montana (aka you have donated $10 or more or volunteered for two hours or more in the past year) you are able to cast five votes! Each vote must be for a different candidate.

  
  Make sure to cast your votes by noon on July 25th! 

  Check out more information below about each candidate and when you are ready to vote, head to the link below!

  (*) indicates incumbent board member

  Vote here

  

  List of candidates

  (scroll to each candidate or click the links to jump to their bios)

  Shelby Fisher | Elizabeth I Klarich | Erin Miller | Nicole Gomez Patalano | Kendal Pittman |
  Kortney Vanden Bos | Olivia Vesovich

  To view each Q&A below the candidates, click the gray area of the question.

  ---

  Shelby Fisher

  Missoula | Administrative Coordinator at the Missoula Butterfly House and Insectarium

  What excites you about Forward Montana & Forward Montana Foundation?

  I’m excited by FMT’s long-standing commitment to engage and mobilize young people and shape a more inclusive democracy. I think there are a lot of ways this organization can evolve as generations evolve to meet young folks where they are at and I would love to support that mission.

  Why are you interested in joining the Forward Montana Board?

  I have filled out the Board application every time it opens up for the last few years but haven’t submitted. This year, I feel like I’m finally in a place in my life where I have the time and energy to put the work in to this organization that it deserves and I would like to support the mission in any way I can.

  Please describe any board experience or similar work with a nonprofit, including paid work or volunteer work.

  My first experience volunteering on a political issue was with Forward Montana in college, back in 2015. Since then, I’ve stayed engaged organizing for Planned Parenthood, working on ballot initiatives, and building experience in campaign operations and political organizing. I currently serve as Vice President of Membership for the Big Sky Democrats and work at a nonprofit where I focus on membership development and donor relations.

  What skills, characteristics, experience, or insight do you have that would be a valuable addition to the board?

  Growing up in rural Montana shaped my understanding of access, representation, and the role community plays in empowering young people. I bring a perspective in how young Montanans can make an impact within state government, informed by my experience working in Senate Minority during the past two legislative sessions. My journey in issue-based advocacy began with Forward Montana, and since then I’ve gained experience in organizing, campaign operations, and nonprofit membership work, all of which I’m excited to contribute to the board.

  ---

  Elizabeth I Klarich

  Billings | Retired

  What excites you about Forward Montana & Forward Montana Foundation?

  Getting youth motivated & activated.

  Why are you interested in joining the Forward Montana Board?

  To help the cause of youth involvement in our communities.

  Please describe any board experience or similar work with a nonprofit, including paid work or volunteer work.

  Chapter Leader for Yellowstone Indivisible February 2025 to present.Canvassing for candidates and causes that help the causes of good governance and forward progress since 1980.

  What skills, characteristics, experience, or insight do you have that would be a valuable addition to the board?

  One on one skills with making people feel inspired to help the good causes. Desire to help in service of a cause greater than self.

  ---

  Erin miller*

  Fort Collins, CO | Administrative Specialist, Larimer County Dept. of Health & Environment

  What excites you about Forward Montana & Forward Montana Foundation?

  I’m always excited to see how Forward Montana creates spaces for young Montanans to advocate for the issues they care about. From the Community Organizing Fellowship, to the Transcendent Joy zine, to the Stitch n Bitch events – FMT creates spaces to debrief, grieve shitty legislation, build community with each other, and collectively work on how we move forward. I think this work is incredibly powerful.

  Why are you interested in joining the Forward Montana Board?

  I’m stoked to be running for reelection this year! I first got involved with FMT seven (!!) years ago as the Missoula Field Manager. I cut my organizing teeth while on staff and later went on to manage the statewide field team as the Senior Organizing Manager. I was first elected to the c4 board in 2023 and I’ve served as both the board secretary and co-chair of the Political Action Committee. I feel like I’ve gained a solid foundation of critical board expertise and I’d be excited to expand on those skills. I also think returning board members are essential as Alice transitions into her role this summer. I want to build on the work we’ve accomplished during the 2025 legislative session and the 2024 election and continue to support this organization as a values-led and relationship-oriented board member.

  Please describe any board experience or similar work with a nonprofit, including paid work or volunteer work.

  I’ve served on the FMT c4 board for two years, as both the c4 board secretary and the co-chair of the Political Action Committee. In addition to board experience, I’ve been a member of various issue coalitions, including serving on the leadership team of the Missoula Home Coalition.

  What skills, characteristics, experience, or insight do you have that would be a valuable addition to the board?

  I know and deeply understand the mission of FMT as well as the political landscape of Montana. My skills include managing teams, developing processes and planning timelines, training, and relationship building. I have immense experience and a passion for all things leadership development and love pairing the big picture with the day to day work. I’ve always considered myself an advocate for staff and would be honored to support Alice in her ED transition! I value transparency, vulnerability, and accountability in everything I do and I would continue to bring these values to the board.

  ---

  Nicole Gomez Patalano

  Missoula | Justice Initiative Director, Catalyst Montana

  What excites you about Forward Montana & Forward Montana Foundation?

  I believe deeply in the kind of grassroots community organizing and civic engagement that Forward Montana does with and alongside young Montanans, cultivating an interest and an ability to engage in our political systems. In my work at Catalyst Montana, we do similar kinds of work with low-income folks. I see this work of connecting neighbors and rebuilding the fabric of communities as an antidote to the polarization and hostility of our current political moment. Forward Montana does incredibly critical work taking that organizing, civic engagement, and leadership development to young people, so many of whom are experiencing a crisis of loneliness and isolation, and gives them an accessible path to engagement and community. Not only do I have immense respect for the organization, it has never been more necessary than at this moment, and I want to do whatever I can to help it continue in this mission.

  I also have immense respect for Forward Montana’s work on affordable housing and houslessness issues around Montana, and have worked side by side FMT organizers to push back against the criminalization of houselessness and poverty both in Missoula and at the state legislature. After several years of state policy work, I have a lot of appreciation for Forward Montana continuously showing up to push for fair policies and making sure young voices are in the room where policy decisions are being made, usually by bodies of people in which low-income, young, and other marginalized groups are not well represented.

  Finally, I’m excited by the work Forward Montana is doing to push back on the criminalization of poverty and would be excited to see the organization engage even more with young people involved in the criminal legal system, the numbers of which are growing in Montana, as each legislative session policymakers pass more laws to increase penalties for youth offenses, including those for which they can be tried and sentenced as adults even though they may be as young as twelve. As a member of the board, I would encourage Forward Montana to consider deepening its outreach to this group of young Montanans, as justice-involved young people are deeply impacted by the laws policy-makers pass, are more likely to be BIPOC, low-income, have a higher number of adverse childhood experiences, and come from families coping with mental illness and substance use, and could benefit immensely from being engaged as voters, activists, and leaders to advocate for a better and fairer system.

  Forward Montana is doing deeply important work, and I’m very excited about the opportunity to participate as a board member.

  Why are you interested in joining the Forward Montana Board?

  Forward Montana is doing absolutely necessary and critical work of engaging young people in the political process and helping them to discover the power of their voices to advocate for change. I’m interested in being a part of the body that helps guide the organization to its maximum impact in line with its values. I take seriously the importance of being an active community member and am very excited by the prospect of getting to engage more directly with Forward Montana. I have immense respect for the staff and leadership as well, and would love to contribute my skills to ensuring the success of all. I believe in Forward Montana’s ability to empower and support young people to become activists, advocates, and leaders and would be honored to serve as a board member in helping them fulfill this mission.

  Please describe any board experience or similar work with a nonprofit, including paid work or volunteer work.

  I’ve been on the board of the Montana Budget and Policy Center since 2023. As a board member, I attend quarterly meetings, participate in financial review, legislative session and interim programming review, and provide support and guidance to the executive director in issues related to staffing, research directions, and grant opportunities. Like Forward Montana, MBPC is also a close partner to Catalyst Montana, and as such I always disclose any conflict of interest ahead of issues on the agenda. That relationship has not interfered with my ability to offer guidance or direction as a board member and I view my responsibility to MBPC in my board member capacity as equal to and distinct from my role as a Catalyst MT employee.

  What skills, characteristics, experience, or insight do you have that would be a valuable addition to the board?

  Many of my skills pertain to the work that Forward Montana does: I am a skilled policy advocate with experience lobbying at both the municipal and state level, and I’m a community organizer with a deep commitment to civic engagement. As Director of the Justice Initiative at Catalyst Montana, I have extensive expertise and knowledge about the criminal legal system and particularly how it impacts young Montanas. In this role, I have launched and run the first jail-based voter registration program in the state and continue to advance programming to bring civic engagement to justice-involved Montanans both inside and outside of prison and jails. This interim I will be actively engaged with interim committees advocating for just and humane policy reforms to the youth justice system in Montana, among other issues.

  I also have executive leadership experience, as the former executive director of Free Verse, which brings healing through the arts programming to incarcerated young people across Montana. In that capacity, I gained significant experience with grant writing and grant management, in addition to the grant management oversight I provide as a current board member at the Montana Budget and Policy Center. Furthermore, I cultivated extensive knowledge of the youth justice system in Montana and the youth detention facilities around the state, and more importantly build relationships with the youth themselves. My knowledge and understanding of the circumstances that lead many young people into the justice system, including poverty, neglect, hunger, and trying to provide for younger siblings, motivates my own advocacy work and is something I would love to offer to the Board of Forward Montana. Finally, my experience working with incarcerated youth across Montana and helping them learn the power of their own voices in telling their stories has given me insight into the critical role Forward Montana plays in leadership development for young Montanans and which I would love to see them offer to justice-involved young Montanas. As a Board member I would love to help support that effort.

  Furthermore, I have significant publishing experience both through Free Verse, gained through the publication of zines, anthologies, and journals of student work, and as the former Editor-in-Chief of CutBank Literary Magazine at the University of Montana. That publishing knowledge could be a valuable addition to the board, given that Forward Montana publishes the Transcendent Joy zine.

  Altogether, I am a skilled leader and advocate and a strong writer and communicator, with honed skills in relationship-building, research, publication and grant-writing and would be eager to contribute these skills to the Forward Montana Board.

  ---

  Kendal Pittman

  Bozeman | Political Campaign Coordinator, Western Organization of Resource Councils

  What excites you about Forward Montana & Forward Montana Foundation?

  I love that Forward MT is focused on supporting young people to build the power we need to create the future we all deserve. And, I’m excited to be a part of an organization that is authentically committed to doing that through grassroots organizing and power building. FMT does an incredible job of meeting the young people of MT where they’re at, whether it’s through catchy, informative social media posts or building its membership base with creative community events.

  What excites me is that Forward Montana doesn’t just engage young people for a single campaign or election cycle. Instead, it focuses on longterm power building and transforming MT’s communities to be more just, sustainable, and equitable. As someone who believes deeply in the power of relationship-based organizing, I’m inspired by FMT’s commitment to building joyful, justice-driven, people-powered movements. I’m eager to contribute my skills and perspective as part of a board that’s helping to shape and sustain this work for the long haul.

  Why are you interested in joining the Forward Montana Board?

  Throughout my career, I’ve been driven by a commitment to people-powered change. I’m interested in joining the Forward MT Board because it aligns with both my values and the through-line of my work: building inclusive, grounded movements led by young people who are closest to the issues at hand.

  In my current role as the Political Campaign Coordinator at the Western Organization of Resource Councils, I work on political strategy and campaigns at the state and local level. I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is to invest in young leadership, creative organizing tactics, and sustained base-building. I’d be honored to support an organization that is doing deep, relational work to grow civic engagement and long-term power in Montana.

  I also bring experience with youth leadership development, program design, and grassroots strategy that I believe could complement and strengthen Forward Montana’s mission. With a background in education, I’ve spent years developing the leadership of young people, both in the classroom and then developing the leadership skills of instructors when I was the Program Director at the Montana Outdoor Science School. I care deeply about making sure young Montanans see themselves as not only participants in democracy, but as leaders shaping their collective future.

  Please describe any board experience or similar work with a nonprofit, including paid work or volunteer work.

  As the Program Director at the Montana Outdoor Science School (MOSS), I worked closely with our Board of Directors to implement our summer program. I coordinated with them on budgets, fundraising, hiring decisions, and personnel policies. In my current role, I regularly collaborate with Montana Rural Voter’s steering committee (which is our governing body). I write memos to update them, create steering committee meeting agendas, co-facilitate meetings with the president, and regularly request their input on strategic decisions. Through both of these roles, I’m confident navigating board bylaws, understand fiduciary responsibility, and know how to effectively structure and participate in board meetings.

  What skills, characteristics, experience, or insight do you have that would be a valuable addition to the board?

  I bring a mix of strategic, programmatic, and on-the-ground organizing experience that I believe would be a valuable asset to the Forward MT Board. I’ve led canvassing operations across rural Montana, managed and trained young leaders in both educational and political settings, and currently work in political strategy and campaigning with a focus on building long-term progressive infrastructure.

  I know how to think both big-picture and tactically, whether it’s designing a voter contact plan, facilitating a coalition, or building a leadership development pipeline. I also bring deep knowledge of Montana’s political landscape, particularly how power-building looks different in rural and urban communities, and how essential youth organizing is transforming MT’s political landscape. While I expect the role of a Forward MT Board member is focused on the bigger picture, I do believe that my direct experience planning campaigns will help me to thoughtfully guide the strategic direction of the organization.

  As a former educator, I value clarity, curiosity, and accountability. I’m energized by group decision-making, and I care deeply about making sure people feel heard and respected – especially young leaders just finding their political voice. I’d bring that relational, justice-oriented lens to the Board’s work and culture. In short: I lead with relationships, clarity, and a deep belief in collective power, and I’d be proud to bring those skills and beliefs to the Forward MT Board.

  ---

  Kortney Vanden Bos

  Missoula | Student

  What excites you about Forward Montana & Forward Montana Foundation?

  I was an intern in high school and regularly interact with the staff at the voting booths and tables at the university. I love the mission and I want to help.

  Why are you interested in joining the Forward Montana Board?

  I feel I have a unique perspective being raised in poverty in a mostly conservative area. I understand the mindset of those struggling and feel I can help.

  Please describe any board experience or similar work with a nonprofit, including paid work or volunteer work.

  I worked for you back in high school under Pari with the Billings branch.

  What skills, characteristics, experience, or insight do you have that would be a valuable addition to the board?

  I’m young, still in school. I see and interact with other students in a peer to peer way. I’m a very good leader I’ve always been in a management position at any of the jobs I’ve had. I have had boots on the ground for protests pride and other events that have strengthened ties to the community.

  ---

  Olivia Vesovich

  Missoula | Gen Z Advisor for the Climate Mental Health Network

  What excites you about Forward Montana & Forward Montana Foundation?

  What excites me most about Forward Montana and the Forward Montana Foundation is how deeply rooted they are in communities around Montana and in making democracy accessible. I love how they center young people in the democratic process and make civic engagement approachable, empowering, and fun. It makes me so happy to know that FMT has established itself as an organization that provides accessible, trustworthy, and nonpartisan information. FMT is an organization that upholds the values of the Montana that I was raised in, one that cares about their neighbors and will work to protect them. During every election cycle, I share and use the Voter Guide. I love how it helps me understand what is on the ballot and the implications of each measure. It is an essential resource for informed voting.
  I am continually inspired by how FMT builds community through creative and educational events. One event that stands out to me was a screen-printing workshop that reminded me how Forward Montana makes political engagement feel joyful and rooted in connection. Events like these are the backbone of community organizing because they serve as reminders to be in community with each other in the happy moments so we can be ready for the challenging moments. The zine is such a sweet place for Montanan’s to share their art, poetry, and stories. I always look forward to reading the zine! I love how FMT is creating a space for truly hard work, like court cases and advocating for Montanan’s rights, while also celebrating Montanans. FMT upholds the values that I believe Montana was created with.
  When I was 16, I participated in Forward Montana’s Organizing Internship. It is the foundation of my political education and confidence. It was the first time I felt confident navigating political spaces. Under the mentorship of Erin Miller, I finally felt empowered and assured in my organizing capabilities. She made me feel important to the internship and it was one of the first times where I felt like I was doing exactly what I was meant to do with my life. I knew that this was the start of a long journey in grassroots movements. I was so energized by registering voters and informing them about the upcoming elections. It was the first time I felt like I was making the change I wanted to see in the world, one voter registration form at a time.

  Why are you interested in joining the Forward Montana Board?

  I am interested in joining the Forward Montana Board because Forward Montana gave me my start in organizing. FMT shaped my understanding of grassroots democracy and helped me realize my own capacity to lead. Through the Organizing Internship I was introduced to the tools, community, and confidence I needed to step into my power. I learned that leadership is about listening, showing up consistently, and making sure others feel welcome to participate. In times like these, it is so easy for young, marginalized Montanans to feel isolated and FMT is uniquely positioned to help and empower young people. I want to be part of the conversations that determine how we meet the evolving needs of young people in our state. That means not just standing by our values, but actively examining how we live them out. I am excited by the opportunity to help guide the organization’s strategy, support its mission, and ensure its values of equity, access, and joy in civic life remain at the forefront. As someone who works at the intersections of youth organizing, education, and climate justice, I see how deeply young people want to make a difference. Forward Montana was the organization that gave me confidence in my voice and my power. I would be honored to be part of organization that guided me to my strengths and to give that back to the community. Serving on the board would be a beautiful full circle moment for me and a commitment I would approach with care, urgency, and heart.

  Please describe any board experience or similar work with a nonprofit, including paid work or volunteer work.

  I have served on the on the Climate Mental Health Network’s Gen Z Advisory Board since January 2024. I have worked closely with other young leaders and the organization’s founder to bridge the gap between climate activism and mental health care. Our role is to offer our perspectives to make CMHN accessible and interesting to the younger generations. We shape strategy, messaging, and programing. In this role, I co-created a climate mental health zine designed as a toolkit to help young people name, process, and move through the intense emotions that often come with climate awareness. The zine centers creative reflection, community support, and action as mental health strategies. A unique part of it is after each submission, there is a guided journaling prompt. I have co-facilitated events like a Climate Café with the University of Calgary, an intergenerational healing dialogue between youth and elders, and a workshop on burnout prevention tailored specifically for Gen Z activists. In my role I have also helped to secure a grant to support our youth programming, I took part in writing sections of the proposal and completing the application process. After that process, I had a better understanding of the behind-the-scenes labor that sustains nonprofit work. It was a powerful reminder that being on a board means not only championing an organization’s vision, but helping to secure the resources that make that vision possible.

  What skills, characteristics, experience, or insight do you have that would be a valuable addition to the board?

  I bring a unique combination of lived experience, organizing insight, and deep dedication to youth rights and democratic access that I believe would be a valuable addition to the Forward Montana Board.
  I am one of the youth plaintiffs in Held v. Montana where I helped set a historic legal precedent for enforcing constitutional environmental protections, affirming the right to a clean and healthful environment for present and future generations. I am continuing this constitutional climate work as a plaintiff in Lighthiser v. Trump, where 22 young people are challenging the federal government’s ongoing promotion of fossil fuels, working to safeguard their rights to life, liberty, and property. These experiences have given me firsthand knowledge of how young people can shape powerful legal and political outcomes when given the tools and support to organize. My understanding of constitutional rights and environmental justice would help FMT to equip young people to hold systems of power accountable. I know the weight of civic responsibility and the transformational power of youth-led advocacy. I also know just how powerful Montana is. As a Held plaintiff, I have had the honor of letting the world know that Montana can be a leader in climate justice. We have the power to make this state as great as its constitution.
  I am student at the University of Montana, where I study English Literature and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. These fields have developed my critical understanding of how systems of power function and how they impact culture and art. Intersectionality is the foundation of my studies and it has become the lens that I view the world through. As a queer person, I understand how important it is that youth see themselves reflected in the leadership of that claim to serve them. I am committed to creating spaces where all young people—especially those who are queer, trans, disabled, Indigenous, Black, or otherwise marginalized—can see their rights, needs, and imaginations centered. I am dedicated to facilitating the connection of creativity, imagination, and grassroots organizing.
  Beyond policy and academia, I also bring a perspective of an artist and storyteller. My creative practice is rooted in creating a space of climate catharsis and community care. I create art that helps me process what it means to be alive at this moment in time. I have had the honor of speaking across the country about youth organizing and climate mental health. My art has served as the representation of translating complex issues that language cannot fully capture. I believe that personal, vulnerable, and creative storytelling is essential to sustaining movements. My art allows me to imagine what could be and to process what is.
  As a board member, I would bring deep care, strategic thinking, collaborative energy, and a fierce commitment to youth empowerment. Young people across this state deserve organizations that inform and empower them. I would be honored to work with other Montanans who care about a Montana that reflects our values, beliefs, and hopes.

Week 12- The last few legislative sessions have seen numerous attempts to pass unconstitutional policies. Even when provided legal analysis, legislators and proponents of these policies insisted that they move forward. Now, citing court decisions that blocked the implementation of these unconstitutional bills, a group of legislators is trying a different strategy: destroy our impartial judicial system. 

Of the over 30 bills this session trying to mess with this branch of government, legislators put forward 4 options to change how judges are chosen – and undermine the checks and balances of our democracy. Three of these dangerous bills are still moving and were debated in the House Judiciary committee this week.

Montana is one of dozens of states that elect our judges through nonpartisan races. We have laws that prohibit political donations and party affiliation for judicial candidates. This isn’t random – the decision to have nonpartisan elections was fiercely debated through public forums during the Montana Constitution Convention in 1972, when political corruption of the Copper Kings was not yet forgotten. 

Two bills, SB 42 and HB 838, would change this – creating partisan election of judges and allowing for the influx of political money to determine who ends up in charge of our courtrooms.

This will impact more than decisions on constitutional challenge cases – SB 42 would politicize judges at every level: municipal judges who oversee your unpaid parking tickets, family law judges who decide child custody cases, district court judges who oversee employee rights cases. All of these judges are in jeopardy of becoming beholden to a political platform on how to rule in the courtroom. 

While HB 838 would only affect Montana supreme court judicial elections, it is no less egregious. Our state’s highest court doesn’t only hear the appeals from lower courts – these seven justices are the final decision-makers on cases that move out of the lower courts such as voting rights, rights to privacy, and water rights.

The third bill, HB 506, would take away voters’ ability to elect Montana supreme court justices – and give the power to a selection committee made up of the Governor plus majority and minority party leadership – a system referred to as ‘merit-appointment’. We only imagine the raucous political debate and opaque decisions of such a committee. 

Week 11- That isn’t the only bill on Wednesday. In the same committee, we will hear SB 42, which would undermine the foundation of our fair and impartial judiciary, by mandating the partisan election of Montana judges and justices – which most Montanans are adamantly against. The House already voted down a similar bill HB 295. Send them a message, remind them of this vote, and ask them to vote down SB 42. 

During their Saturday, March 15 debate, Senators shocked us by voting down anti-judiciary HB 169. This bill is one of many this session to infuse partisanship into our judicial system. HB 169 specifically would have allowed judges to participate in political events and accept partisan endorsements. We were ecstatic to see it fail 22-27 on the Senate floor!

Week 8- SB 490 had a hearing on Saturday, March 1st in the Senate Judiciary. This bill would limit same-day voter registration and disenfranchise Montanans – disproportionately impacting students, rural voters, seniors, and working families. Interfering with same-day voter registration has already been ruled unconstitutional by Montana courts. Send a message to the Senate and tell them to vote NO on SB 490. 

After weeks of waiting, we finally have some updates on the anti-judiciary bills that are attempting to make judicial elections partisan. 

Since 1935, Montana’s judicial elections have been nonpartisan. This means that political parties cannot endorse or contribute to them. A nonpartisan judicial system ensures that judicial races remain impartial and protected from the interference of partisan politics. Courts managed by nonpartisan judges uphold the values of fairness and rule of law in the courtroom when deciding criminal, civil, and constitutional cases. 

In early February we watched hearings for SB 42 and HB 295, both of which would force judicial candidates to claim a political party affiliation and open the floodgates for partisan money to influence these elections. These bills had their floor debates this week, with mixed results. While we watched some conservatives misrepresent our judicial system by claiming Montana already has partisan elections of judges and calling out advocacy groups by name for voter engagement from the 2024 MT Supreme Court Justice races. 

Only the Senate voted in favor of these judicial attacks, with 29 Senators voting yes to move SB 42 on to a House committee hearing, which will likely be held after transmittal break (March 7-13). In the House, representatives rejected HB 295 with 53 voting against it. Shout out to the 15 Republicans and over 70 Democrats voting to protect our impartial judicial system! 

There are two more anit-judiciary bills headed our way in the next week. One, HB 506, would change the Montana Constitution to remove Montana Supreme Court elections entirely, instead giving the power to the governor and a nomination committee to appoint members of the Montana Supreme Court. This bill had a hearing last week in the House Judiciary, and is anticipated to pass through to the floor for debate. Reminder: bills to amend our Montana Constitution require ⅔ vote to pass through each chamber – this means 67 Representatives will have to vote for it to move on to the Senate. Feel free to message your representatives to confirm they will be voting NO on HB 506. 

Finally, we are watching a sleeper bill draft, LC 2372 requested by Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick. Draft language indicates that this bill would allow for Montana Supreme Court Justice candidates to indicate a political party affiliation. 
Damn, some legislators really aren’t getting it: the majority of  Montanans support an impartial judiciary.

Week 2- If you are feeling overwhelmed with the number of bills related to changes to our judiciary, we get it, it’s a lot. Along with a number of new pieces of legislation, there are 27 bills that were drafted during the interim through the Senate Select Committee on Judicial Oversight and Reform. 

For reference, the Senate Select Committee on Judicial Oversight and Reform was formed in the spring 2024, after the Montana Supreme Court reminded the legislature that they cannot pass unconstitutional laws. In response, former Senate President Jason Ellsworth (SD 43 – Hamilton) put together this new Select Committee, declaring that the courts had overstepped the separation of powers and accused several courts of violating the state Constitution. 

After developing the Republican membership for the Select Committee, Sen. Ellsworth invited Democratic leadership to send their members. And while you may see Democrats’ names listed in the membership, they refused to legitimize the committee and did not attend a single meeting. 

So within the echo chamber of the Senate Select Committee on Judicial Oversight and Reform, a faction of Republicans drafted 27 committee bills. Which leaves us with the question: which are innocuous (if any) and which, if passed, would undermine the impartiality and power of our courts system? We hope to have a clearer answer for you by next week. 

For now, SB 42, is raising the greatest concern for us, which would provide for the partisan election of judges and justices. Currently, our judicial elections are nonpartisan, meaning that candidates do not have a political party affiliation and instead are given the opportunity to run on merit and judicial values.SB 42 will also impact judicial campaigns and the type of money we could see flooding into those elections. 

Week 1- Before the senate stalled, there were a slew of bills scheduled that seek to undermine our state’s fair and impartial judiciary, particularly aimed at the Montana Supreme Court. 

This is in response to MT SCOTUS persistent reminders this past year to the legislature that they cannot pass unconstitutional policy. Conservatives have declared war on the separation of powers and the court’s authority. We expect to know more next week on when these bills will be scheduled. Keep an eye out for calls to action regarding judicial attacks.

Week 12- Also up next week is HB 400, Enact the “Free to Speak Act”, from Rep. Braxton Mitchell. As a reminder, this bill would prohibit schools and public agencies from implementing policies that protect LGBTQ individuals from harassment or discrimination. Send a message to Senators by the end of next week and tell them to vote NO on HB 400. Want to testify? HB 400 will be heard in Senate Judiciary on Wednesday April 2nd at 8am.

Week 11- If you missed those hearings, no you didn’t because they were filled with the same hateful and blatantly transphobic language from bill sponsors and proponents. Skip messaging the committees on these bills. Instead, send comments to each Senator about HB 446 and each Representative about SB 218 & SB 164. 

The next piece of anti-trans legislation, SB 437, will be heard in the House Judiciary committee on Wednesday Mar 26. SB 437 is the latest effort to define ‘sex’ in law – and legally erase transgender and intersex individuals across Montana’s legal code. Please send a message to the committee before the hearing and tell them to vote no on this unconstitutional bill. 

Week 9- One housing victory included Rep. Kelly Kortum’s HB 311, which would require landlords to reimburse any rental application fees that don’t lead to a rental agreement, saving renters hundreds of dollars! After being tabled in committee, Rep. Kortum successfully ‘blasted’ HB 311 to the House Floor, where it received overwhelming support (67-32). This is the only time this session that a tenant’s rights bill successfully landed a second hearing. 

Unfortunately, Sen. Greg Hertz’s SB 336 passed through the Senate. This bill, which would restrict local government’s ability to regulate or prohibit short-term rentals in residential areas, received bipartisan support. With a housing crisis impacting many across our state, we are disappointed to see that some legislators support policy that undermines young people’s ability to find and afford stable housing. 

Week 8- Do we have a doozy for you. SJ 15 would formally declare that the US Supreme Court must reverse the Obergfell v. Hodges ruling: the landmark case that legalized same sex marriage, which would set us back a decade of progress. SJ 15 has a hearing in the Senate Judiciary on March 3 at 7am. This is not an issue of states rights but it discriminatory, an overreach and the last thing we need from our legislature.

Week 6 We continue to face disgusting and misinformed anti-trans bills this session. We think we speak for every trans person when we say: it is time to address our housing crisis, rather than sit through another hearing full of obtuse and witless people debate trans rights. 

Conservative talking head Rep. Braxton Mitchell (R-Columbia Falls) is pushing HB 400, which would prevent public institutions (e.g. public schools, public libraries,etc) from protecting students and employees from anti-trans discrimination. If this sounds familiar, it is because this bill builds off last session’s HB 361 – which made it law that misgendering and deadnaming students is not legally discriminatory behavior. So much for keeping youth safe. 

Now, HB 400 would expand this to prohibit public institutions and agencies from implementing policies that would prevent this type of discriminatory behavior. *Sigh* For a party obsessed with ‘protecting’ children, they continue to demonstrate they are committed to harming trangender youth – and adults. 

Committee Republicans threw bad faith questions at opponents, which included backhanded insults when allies to transgender students didn’t fall for Republicans’ ‘gotcha’ questions. 

As we prepared for HB 400, we saw Rep. Jedidiah Hinkle (R-Belgrade) has introduced a violent piece of legislation focused on continuing his obsession with other people’s genitalia. HB 446 would update the laws on indecent exposure – allowing anyone to claim their ‘dignity’ has been violated if they find themselves in a bathroom or changing room with someone who they believe to be a transgender individual. The bill depends on someone seeing another person’s genitalia and deeming it out of compliance with what they think their bits should look like. Our dignity is violated just typing that sentence out. 

The reason we think this bill is violent? It would open transgender people up to criminal penalties, including incarceration – a threat to the economic stability of trans people and their families. We’ve heard that Republicans cannot handle learning about and respecting the diversity of our communities. But that doesn’t give them the right to undermine people’s safety. No one has that right. 

Week 5- Let’s start with HB 121(bathroom bill), which had its hearing in the Senate Judiciary last Thursday. We will skip the disparaging remarks Republicans insisted on making (nothing new or creative), and let you know that the bill passed out of committee on a party-line vote. It will be heard next week on the Senate floor. Call 406-444-4800 and message Senators. Tell them to VOTE NO on HB 121.

Next, there is SB 164 (ban care for trans youth). This bill was heard on the Senate Floor on Monday. And while two Republicans voted against it, this wasn’t enough to prevent it moving on to the House Chamber. It will likely have a hearing next week in the House Judiciary. Continue to message and call your House Representative and tell them you expect a NO vote on SB 164. 

And then, there is HB 300 (youth sports ban) which had its House floor debate on Wednesday. Rep. Seekins-Crowe continued in her disingenuous stance that this bill is about protecting girls in sports. Despite the bill passing on a party-line vote, we were teary-eyed after watching the power of trans voices and allies during the debate. 

Starting with Rep. Howell who pulled at our hearts when talking about the rich diversity of humanity that Republicans are insisting on erasing. Then, Rep. Zephyr spoke of the challenges trans athletes already face – and how bills like this make it harder for all women to participate in sports without discrimination. And finally, Rep. Strand put into words what we are all thinking: why tf are we here debating this, when we need elected officials coming up with solutions to housing, health care, and other actual issues Montanans are facing. 

Now the shittiest news: There is another anti-trans bill. Senate Bill 218 from Sen. Fuller (R-Kalispell) is a cruel attempt to force doctors to stop providing gender affirming care by threatening them with an absurd statute of limitations for medical malpractice. 

The current statute of limitations is 2 years. But SB 218 would allow for a statute of limitation of 25 YEARS for someone to sue if they regretted a gender-affirming procedure. Apparently, Sen. Fuller hasn’t heard – but the regret rate for receiving gender-affirming surgical procedures is around 1%, lower than most operations.  

This bill might be about targeting trans people, but it will lead to irreparable harm to our health care system, as doctor’s may choose to leave Montana rather than practice under this threat.  This bill will be heard on the Senate floor next week. Call and message your Senator and tell them to vote NO on SB 218. 

Week 3- Despite what legislators said last week during the House floor debate on HB 121 – that trans and queer people are part of a woke agenda to undermine our longstanding cultural norms of gender and sexuality, we all know that we have been here forever and will exist well into the future – pending any total climate disaster – but even then…we are frustrated to see that Sen. Fuller, one of Montana’s top transphobes, has a hearing next week on his latest bill targeting trans people.

Senate Bill 164, revised offense of endangering the welfare of children, seeks to criminalize doctors, parents, teachers, or anyone else who facilitates getting a child the health care they deserve. Despite the innumerable debates on this topic, we don’t think that legislators even get what gender affirming care for youth is. And we are not going to uplift their ignorant talking points here. Trans youth and their parents should not face additional barriers to accessing care. But no matter if you agree trans people deserve safety and access to care: everyone should see how fucked it is that elected officials think they can end the privacy between medical professionals and parents seeking care for their children.

SB 164 will be heard on Monday, January 27th in the Senate Judiciary starting at 8am. We ask that if you are an ally to trans people, you submit public comment or provide virtual testimony. Let’s show the Senate Judiciary how angry this hateful bill makes us.

Week 2- (HB121) The bill sponsor’s opening was an attempt to (poorly) assure everyone that this wasn’t about trans people, but by the time the floor voted to end the debate, the Republicans who stood in support of the bill were saying the quiet part loud – and proud: this bill is about targeting trans people. 

In the face of this vile opposition, three Democrats succinctly covered why this type of legislation is harmful, to individuals and our community as a whole. It started with Rep. SJ Howell, who ended their speech with an unexpected, humorous quip on Republicans’ own messaging around Montana values of small government. Rep Ed Stafman was the second Democrat to speak in opposition, exposing the economic and legal foolishness of this Republican obsession with harassing trans people.And finally, Rep. Zooey Zephyr stood in powerful defiance at a bill that Republicans won’t deny is also about a direct attack on her. 

While the outcome was a party-line vote of 58-42 and we’ll have to endure another hearing in the Senate, we saw from our communities an outpouring of opposition to this bill. Through public comment in committee last Friday, to the number of calls and messages to legislators – our hearts burst to see that we refuse to lose our fight against this type of legislation. Each message makes clear to legislators that we are fucking sick of having to talk about whether trans people get to live safely in our communities. 

Week 1- House Bill 121, sponsored by Rep. Kerri Seekins-Crowe, poses as a bill aiming to protect the privacy of (cis)women, but it is a thinly veiled attempt to prevent individuals from using the bathrooms, changing rooms, or private facilities that align with their gender. This bathroom ban is particularly egregious because it would allow anyone to sue public schools, private businesses, and even domestic violence shelters if they believe they’ve encountered someone who is in the “wrong” bathroom. 
The House Judiciary committee may vote as soon as Monday to send HB121 to the House floor and its fate on the floor remains uncertain. BUT we were encouraged today during the hearing by the outpouring of comments in opposition. Thank you to everyone who sent in comments already. Stay tuned for next steps and more ways that you can take action against this harmful bill! (edited) 

Week 12- There are two bills up next week that will impact Montana’s housing affordability. First, HB 843 which would create the Montana emergency solutions grant for rapid re-housing. This bill would target state funds towards rapid re-housing options for individuals across our state who face an unexpected loss of housing or struggle to maintain stable housing. 

We know that the current housing crisis and economic hardship has caused significant increases of homelessness in our communities. This bill would help address this by providing more comprehensive and flexible housing support – like rental assistance. Please join us in testifying on Monday, March 31st at 3pm or messaging House Human Services before Wednesday, April 2 in support of HB 843. 

If the housing crisis wasn’t hard enough, SB 336 could make it worse by removing local control in regulating short-term rentals. This policy prioritizes profit over ensuring there is enough housing for everyone in our community. It has its House hearing on Thursday, April 3rd at 3pm. Please send messages of opposition to the House Local Government by the end of next week – or sign up to testify! 

And a follow-up to HB 311: Thursday brought a contentious hearing in the Senate Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs committee. By 8:30 a.m., the room was overflowing—with landlords, renters, realtors, homeowners, and even a former mayor of Bozeman. All there to speak on whether we should require landlords to refund rental application fees to unsuccessful applicants.

Opinions on Montana’s housing crisis varied wildly. Some opponents argued the bill went too far, insisting that the issue needs to be studied in the interim, while others pleaded that fees are burdensome and a bad business practice. We even heard one senator question whether this problem exists at all – ignoring the renters who showed up to share personal testimony. It isn’t too late to send a message to the Senate Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs committee and tell them to vote YES on HB 311.

Week 11-  This week, we saw both HB 154 and SB 243 make notable progress through their hearings. HB 154, which was heard in the Senate Taxation committee, would create tax credit opportunities for low income homeowners and renters. It saw strong support with thoughtful testimony from housing advocates and community members. Meanwhile, SB 243 heard in the House Local Government committee, would amend code to allow for taller buildings in higher population communities, saw some community members spouting incoherent arguments to block its progress.  

Opponents stated that allowing for taller buildings would make it harder for folks to obtain housing in our communities. Let us be clear: these are classic “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) arguments. These assertions are blatantly false, meritless and quite honestly nonsensical. Because of the current housing crisis we have three options; we build out and contribute to urban sprawl, build up (which is the goal of this bill) or we get priced out of our homes and communities (the current course). We see the choice as clear. Both bills will be voted on soon – help us keep momentum going by sending messages of support to their committees.  

In an unexpected shift, HB 311 from Rep. Kelly Kortum to mandate rental application fee reimbursement had its scheduled hearing cancelled this week for the best reason: the bill was moved from a notoriously difficult committee to a committee that will more readily consider the merits of this policy.This is huge. As previously stated, committees have a lot of power over which policies get full floor debates. HB 311 will now be heard soon in Senate Business and Labor. Start sending in your messages of support now! We’ll let you know when that hearing gets scheduled.  

Week 8- Finally, another good housing policy is on the House floor for debate. HB 492, would rein in unnecessary parking mandates for new builds, costing money to landlords which get passed along to renters, accounting for around 17% of a tenant’s rent – that’s $200-$300! This bill will be heard Saturday, March 1 on the House floor. We will update you in next week’s edition where HB 492 goes.

Week 6- SB 101, which would undermine the judicial eviction process and allow landlords to call law enforcement to remove a tenant from a property, is still in the House Business and Labor committee. Please contact representatives on that committee and tell them to vote NO on SB 101.

Week 5- SB 146 would undermine the ability for cities and counties to pass land-use decisions, like zoning, by setting an impossibly high legal bar. It would also allow for the gutting of thoughtful citizen-led decisions that shaped community land use to address housing issues. 

SB 146 passed through its first committee. It is headed to the Senate Floor next. Call and send messages to every Senator. 

SB 101 caught our attention this week when we heard from our partners at Catalyst MT and MT Budget & Policy Center that if passed, it could put the shelter and safety of many Montanans at risk – and potentially violate constitutional rights. 

SB 101 could undermine the judicial eviction process, allowing landlords to call law enforcement on landlord-tenant disputes. With the cost of housing at all time highs – over 31,000 people paying more than 30% of their income on housing – we need legislators to help us find or keep housing, not allow our landlords to call the cops on us. 

Week 3- Over 30% of Montanans are renters. And many people under 35 not only rent, but have begun to assume they may never have a chance to own a home. While we hope that we build a future for expanded home ownership, we need legislators to include renters in their solutions for our housing crisis. Which is why we are so grateful for Rep. Jonathan Karlen, who introduced HB 154. The bill would establish a housing fairness tax credit, and is one of the only bills we’ve seen that includes renters.

Background: Property taxes are one of the top housing issues in our state. They are what tax experts call a ‘regressive’ tax – meaning the tax is applied uniformly, which results in larger takings from low-income individuals than from middle- or upper-class people. This can have a significant financial burden on individuals who do not have the coin to cover the costs.

Rep. Karlen’s bill would create a tax credit to alleviate this cost burden on both homeowners and renters, who of course cover property tax costs through their rent. Most legislators (and advocates) rarely include renters in their conversations or proposals.
As stated by proponents, tax credits like HB 154 connect property taxes to income levels, thus reducing the burden on Montanans who may currently be between jobs, going to school, or a primary caregiver. Tax credits are the most targeted solution to property tax affordability.

Week 2- 🏘️HB 21- Passed through the House with bipartisan support of (75-25), and is headed to House Appropriations for a hearing on the cost of the bill. Where advocates will hopefully demonstrate that this proven program will be a win-win for all Montanans both economically and for affordable housing access. 🤩

#DYK this is the third time this piece of legislation has been introduced in Montana. During previous hearings, there has been a constant theme from the diversity experts in attendance as proponents recognize this bill as an important step in combating the housing crisis that the state is experiencing. 

HB 21 would provide a workforce housing credit to provide further funding for affordable housing projects throughout the state, bridging gaps in funding for certified programs and ultimately provide for more affordable housing especially in rural communities.

Week 1- House Bill 21 would establish a Montana Workforce Housing Tax Credit. As most of us are all painfully aware, there is a housing shortage across all our communities. The state’s population continues to grow and lawmakers need to find solutions now to figure out how to support our communities instead of allowing inaction to create further harm to our quality of life and economy. 

HB 21 would provide access to additional funding sources, which are badly needed to fund new affordable housing options for working Montanans. The bill had its first hearing in the House Tax Committee on Friday, January 10th – and received overwhelming bipartisan advocate support. We’ll keep you posted on the committee’s decision

Week 12- And finally, HB 388 which would prohibit government oversight of anti-abortion ‘pregnancy centers’ in Montana. A new report from Montanans for Choice shows that Unregulated Pregnancy Centers (UPCs) currently outnumber licensed abortion providers in the state 3:1 and use deceptive marketing practices. These centers also operate in rural communities where access to comprehensive health care is often scarce. HB 388 has a hearing in the Senate Judiciary on Wednesday, April 2 at 8am. Please send a message to Senators by the end of next week, demanding they vote NO on HB 388. 

Week 11- In all the hustle of pre-transmittal week, we missed sharing an historic moment for reproductive rights. On Thursday, March 6, the Senate floor debated SB 479, which spread false information that medication abortion is in our water and harming our environment. After Sen. Laura Smith and Sen. Cora Neumann shared powerful personal stories, the Senate floor for the first time in over two decades, voted down an anti-abortion policy, 25-25. Please take a moment to thank Senators who made this win possible!

Week 8- In the deluge of bills from this week, there were two immediate losers from last week’s villain Rep. Kerri Seekins-Crowe: HB 555, which spread false information that medication abortion is in our water and harming our environment; and HB 609. which would have created the new crime of ‘abortion trafficking’. During both hearings, the sponsor and proponents looked absolutely foolish attempting to make their case for suddenly caring about our right to clean water and the importance of criminalizing patients and providers, by presenting made-up scenarios that only exist in pro-life advocates imaginations. Both bills were tabled in committee. We are pleased to see that legislators are ready to accept reality: Abortion is Legal.

Week 5- Remember when we enshrined the right to abortion in November 2024? Well some Republicans legislators are set on undoing this monumental vote. 

First up was Rep. Lee Deming (R-Laurel) with HB 316. This bill would amend the Montana constitution to include a definition of personhood that life begins at conception. This would not only ban abortion – interpretations of personhood would jeopardize common forms of birth control, like IUDs and emergency contraception. 

What a disgusting attempt at government overreach. While HB 316 would require a ⅔ vote to pass through each chamber, this is highly unlikely and demonstrates how this is clearly a waste of our time. 

Enter a more insidious attempt to enshrine personhood into Montana policy, HB 288 from Rep. Courtney Sprunger (R-Kalispell). Rep. Sprunger claims that this is about ensuring both parents are supporting a pregnancy from the beginning by making it law that fatherhood starts at conception. But it only took a few minutes into proponents before we heard that this is about: pressuring people to stop choosing abortions.

For many people, they cannot afford a pregnancy. But instead of economic investments to lift everyone up in our communities, legislators like Rep. Sprunger think that forcing child support payments at conception will allow certain providers to shame patients who choose to have an abortion.

Week 8- Medicaid!

As we watched Saturday’s floor session, we were shocked to learn that a person on Medicaid gets kicked off their health insurance if they have a temporary change in their monthly income – and then have to reapply once their pay inevitably lowers.  Unlike with private health insurance we can get through the ACA, individuals on Medicaid are expected to report any changes to their income – if they don’t, they risk being disenrolled 

This is why, Rep. SJ Howell (D-Missoula) is sponsoring HB 386, which would allow Medicaid recipients to enjoy 12 months uninterrupted coverage! And, Rep. Howell isn’t stopping there. In HB 601, they are asking the state to create a Medicaid portal, which would expand support for Medicaid applicants and enrollees across the state. 

In a true bipartisanship, Rep. SJ Howell has worked with Republicans to get HB 386 and HB 601 passed through committee, with continuous eligibility passing its first House Floor vote 53-47! We are obsessed with affordable health care and appreciate that our hero Rep. SJ Howell is, too. 

Week 3- Medicaid

Are we starting at the middle of the week for this update? Yes, and only because it’s so important to mention: Medicaid bills are moving! Renewing Medicaid programs is one of the top issues this session. The last session to debate Medicaid was in 2019. And despite valiant efforts, that bill contained a ‘sunset’ date of June 2025. Now legislators need to draft and pass Medicaid legislation that will ensure these programs continue – and maybe to improve upon the programs?

The first Medicaid hearings took place on Wednesday afternoon, starting with long-time Medicaid advocate Rep. Ed Buttrey’s bill HB 245. This bill does two things: lifts the sunset, and expands resources for workforce development. The second bill HB 230, sponsored by Rep. Mary Caferro, not only lifts the sunset but seeks to expand access to programs, by recommitting to continuous eligibility and reopening Offices of Public Assistance to support Medicaid recipients in navigating the process of enrollment.

For both bills, the hearing room could barely contain the numerous proponents, from hospital lobbyists, health care advocates, to community members from across Montana who came to share their Medicaid stories. And the best part? No one dared show their face in opposition to these essential, life-saving programs. Congratulations to everyone who worked their asses off to make these two hearings a success!

The Legislator Lookup will tell you who your legislators are based on your home address. You can also search for legislators by name to find their contact info.

As with most things related to the State of Montana there are always changes. If you want to submit a public comment or virtually testify this session it works a bit different. Here are the steps you need to take!

1. Make an account by going here
2. You’ll see several options to select, throughout this session we will be directing you to the Standing Committee section to either testify remotely and/or submit testimony (public comment).
3. We will direct you to specific bills or committees to address either as an opponent or proponent. We will do our best to make it clear what we are supporting and what we strongly oppose.

Stay engaged this session and make your thoughts known to your legislators! Looking for some pointers on giving public comment? We’ve got you covered with a handy one pager on best practices

If you are looking for more information and guidance around crafting your public comment, writing an LTE, or reaching out to your legislator we have a step by step guide with more information here!