This session was rough in many ways – especially in the backdrop of the federal chaos. But, because of your engagement and determination, we defeated so many bad policies and took significant steps forward – in reproductive rights, tenants rights, and youth engagement. While our legislative team recovers from our parasocial relationship with MCAT streaming services, let us tell you where key policies landed.
The Dirt, The Tea, The Spoils
Reproductive Rights
Session started on the heels of a clear victory for reproductive rights: a constitutional amendment codifying Montanans’ right to abortion and reproductive health care. Yet, some legislators still tried (and largely failed) to work their dark magic – often relying on misinformation and fear to push harmful policies. The most egregious effort was HB 316, which attempted to define personhood as beginning at conception – a direct attempt to undermine the will of the people. Or policies like SB 479 and HB 559, both of which would have restricted access to abortion medication based on bogus science, as well as HB 609, which aimed to criminalize people for seeking abortion care out of state.
Legislators even tried to sneak attacks into education with HB 753, which targeted already-abysmal sex education programs in Montana. But thanks to the tireless advocacy and support from people like you, we defeated most of them. One bill that did make it through was HB 388, which shields crisis pregnancy centers from regulation, allowing them to continue operating without transparency or accountability.
If the rush of killing bad policy wasn’t enough, we saw advocates successfully pass HB 475 and finally ban the use of restraints on pregnant inmates during childbirth. Wins like this remind us that progress can be slow, and sometimes success simply means preventing harm.
Climate Justice
We were appalled by the legislature’s aggressive pushback against climate accountability, in clear defiance of the Held v. Montana decision last December. Lawmakers spent the session weakening the very tools meant to uphold our right to a ‘clean and healthful environment’.
Their primary punching bag? The Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). Lawmakers altered MEPA’s purpose and language. They then limited state regulation of emissions from private industry and passed a bill to stop Montana from implementing any air pollution standards unless the federal government does it first (which, surely, is right around the corner… right?)
Meanwhile, forward-looking policies to update MEPA to reflect the Held decision or require public utilities to plan for 100% renewable energy quietly died along the way. And devastatingly, even a bipartisan bill to phase out Styrofoam food containers was vetoed by Governor Greg Gianforte.
Still, in a session packed with bills accelerating our race to total and irreversible environmental catastrophe, we have one bright spot: legislators passed a bill establishing a framework for shared solar facilities in Montana, one of the biggest alternative energy pushes to make it through the legislature in years.
Impartial and Fair Judiciary
Anti-judiciary bills stalked the hallways all session. Starting with the 27 bills drafted by the interim Senate Select Committee on Judicial Oversight and Reform, legislators debated over 40 bills that would erode the power and impartiality of Montana’s judicial system.
Far-right conservatives were particularly obsessed with politicizing our courts – from allowing political contributions to judicial candidates to partisan election of judges and justices. Montanans were fighting these attacks through April, with one senator’s last ditch effort drafted on April 17.
Thanks to relentless efforts in and out of the building, as well as an allyship between Democrats and Moderate Republicans, all efforts to establish partisan election of judges were defeated! While not all anti-judiciary bills were stopped – upcoming judicial elections will likely see an influx of political money and constitutional challenge cases got a bit more complicated – the foundations of our impartial and fair judiciary remain.
After three citizen-led initiatives made it onto the 2024 election and the success of CI-128, legislators chose to spend their energy on measures that would curb voter power and restrict access to the ballot. Legislation that would have expanded access to rural, Indigenous, or disabled community members were quickly squashed in their first committees, despite overwhelming community support.
While legislators failed to meet the ⅔ requirement to make it harder for citizen-led initiatives to pass on the ballot, the governor has already signed two harmful voting rights policies. The first policy shifts when voters can register before an Election – specifically, ending Election Day voter registration at noon, instead of 8pm. This is despite last year’s Montana Supreme Court ruling that protected same-day voter registration. The second policy creates significant barriers to student voters by shifting state residency laws – and already has a lawsuit filed against it.
Housing Access and Affordability
Despite testimony and data, many legislators spent the session questioning whether a housing crisis even existed. Lawmakers chose to support multiple policies that target our unhoused neighbors and impose steep fines to criminalize homelessness, while simultaneously rejecting most funding for emergency housing options.They also voted down most meaningful policies that would have strengthened tenants’ and mobile home owners rights. We are still salty about their inability to advance a tax credit proposal that would have included renters in with property tax relief policy.
Still, the session wasn’t without progress. Legislators passed a slate of policies aimed at increasing housing supply and reducing regulatory barriers. This included infrastructure investments and major zoning reforms, like allowing taller buildings, and recognizing manufactured and factory-built homes more equitably. In a win for tenant rights, HB 311 was passed to ensure the return of rental application fees. The debates will likely continue into the interim, as legislators must find long-term solutions for every one in our communities.
LGBTQ Rights
By far, one of the worst sessions on record for anti-LGBTQ policies. Not just in the sheer number of proposals (over 20), but the hateful targeting of one specific population: transgender youth. A handful of legislators led the effort, with the vocal support from the Executive branch and hate-groups from across the states. As of now, the governor has signed into law two anti-trans bathroom bills, a policy that will restrict transgender youth from participating in sports, and another ‘define sex’ bill (despite March’s clear district court victory). One bathroom bill is already held up in the courts.
Montana’s two transgender legislators refused to be quiet in the face of these attacks, boldly and passionately speaking in support of trans youth and the families who love them. We also saw unexpected voices in this fight – with multiple moderate Republicans voicing their objections to the worst of these policies and swaying enough of their peers to vote against them. While we must continue to defend the rights of LGBTQ community, these wins give us hope against the hate in our state.
Indigenous and Racial Justice
The House Majority Leader set the mood on Day 1 in his opening speech when he named ‘combating the woke agenda’ as a top priority for the majority party. Legislators took up the fight by introducing multiple bills to prohibit anything related to DEIJ efforts in public institutions, like schools, libraries, or government agencies – with at least one getting signed into law by the Governor.
But some conservatives didn’t stop there. They used ‘anti-woke’ commentary to disparage Indigenous justice efforts. From petty amendments that would’ve stalled the Indigenous People’s Day bill, to proclaiming state funds should not be used for the Murdered and Missing Indigenous People’s Task force. And while those policies, plus a few other key pieces of Indigenous justice legislation, ultimately passed, we couldn’t believe the words of some legislators to prevent their success.
We Asked Our Team
Wildest moment on the floor?
The attempted (and failed) expulsion of Sen. Jason Ellsworth from the Senate floor
Dramatic bill title?
HB 642: We hate seeing people in poverty, so they should pay us $500 for every day we are forced to.
A bill that made you audibly say “you’ve got to be kidding me”?
HR 9 from Rep. Lukas Schubert, a resolution urging President Trump and Governor Walz to pardon Derek Chauvin.
Healthy or unhealthy coping mechanism?
A big box of gin-gins on my desk. They take a long time to chew and are great for stress-induced nausea.
Rallying cry for the off-season?
Look into your municipal elections and get involved in your city’s politics! Those politicians can act just as shady and sneaky as legislators.
A moment of joy or solidarity in this session that kept you going?
Rep. Sherry Essmann stood multiple times to speak against attacks on transgender individuals.
What’s keeping you hopeful?
How loving and creative people are in response to what we are experiencing.
What is one thing you want every young Montanan to know?
They are scared of our voices and our power. Keep loving, keep fighting!
As we wrap up What the Helena for this legislative session, know that you can still plug into the work we are doing anytime, year round. Outside of elections and legislative sessions we continue to be on the ground, meeting young people where they are and building power with and for the next generation of young Montanans. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, volunteer in your community, or check out upcoming events near you.
