The flood of hearings is slowing to a more manageable pace this week, but there’s still plenty of issues to watch. Thank you to everyone who is keeping up and sending messages each week. It’s important to keep moving even when things are rough. 

Yes, this session has been rough. The legislators are feeling it, too. If you’re fortunate to have a legislator who supports the same issues that you do, please take a few minutes to thank them for their service. Gratitude goes a long way during uncertain times.

How to contact your legislators

• Find your legislators here.

• Email them here.

• Call the Capitol switchboard at 406-444-4800 from 7:30am – 5pm on weekdays to leave them a message.
  
  

Last chance to say NO to HB 112 and SB 280 – Rights for transgender community members

HB 112 went through its third reading in the Senate and is waiting for approval of amendments in the House. This bill, which would ban transgender youth — specifically transgender girls — from playing school sports, had an amendment added which would make the bill “void on the date that the office for civil rights of the United States department of education [sic] issues a letter of impending enforcement action due to the enforcement of [this act].”

Action – Please tell your representative YES on the amendment, which will have a vote on Monday afternoon. We are hoping that the Department of Education acts quickly after this bill is enacted. 
keep reading

This week in the Montana Legislature was rough, with the rejection of the Indigenous Voting Rights Act, HB 613, and the passage of Montana’s version of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, SB 215. 

There were a couple of bright spots in the week, so please keep up the emails and phone calls. It’s important that we keep moving forward and letting our legislators know that it’s okay for Montanans to have diverse opinions on important issues.

The legislators are on break for a few days, but there are more bills on economic justice, LGBTQ issues, and reproductive rights that we can speak to. Let’s use our freedom of speech to speak up for safety, equity, and justice for everyone!

How to contact your legislators

• Find your legislators here.

• Email them here.

• Call the Capitol switchboard at 406-444-4800 from 7:30am – 5pm on weekdays to leave them a message.
  
  

Thank you to businesses and organizations opposing anti-LGBTQ legislation!

Last week, more than 300 businesses and organizations across Montana said no to anti-LGBTQ bills that have been working their way through the legislature! Big national corporations like American Airlines and small businesses like Tree Hugger Soap Company in Dillon are signed onto a statement that tells legislators how anti-LGBTQ legislation is bad for businesses and even worse for the lives of their valued employees. 

Please check out the list to see which businesses are invested in a more diverse and equitable Montana. If you’d like to add your business or organization to the list, click here. 

NO to SB 280 and HB 427, YES to the amendment on HB 112 

To all LGBTQ and especially transgender, nonbinary and Two Spirit community members, we want to send you a lot of love. You have been courageous during this legislative session. We see you, we see what’s happening, and we are going to keep fighting for your rights.

Discussion on the floor vote for HB 112 in the Senate and SB 215 in the House were awful, as expected. Senator Matt Regier opened his statement with a quote from Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels, and legislators repeatedly ignored testimony from LGBTQ legislators and Montanans about how this bill would impact their lives.  

These bills are part of a coordinated effort across the country to normalize anti-LGBTQ and anti-trans legislation. It’s crucial that we keep sending legislators the message that everyone has the right to feel safe in Montana.
 
HB 112 – This bill would prevent transgender and nonbinary youth from participating in school sports. Health care professionals have testified that participation in sports gives trans youth more confidence, better mental and physical health, and affirmation that they are valued members of their school. 

Action – HB 112 was approved by the Senate 29-21. However, an amendment nullifying the bill if the US Department of Education gives Montana consequences for violating Title IX on the basis sex discrimination has to be approved by the House. Please contact your House member and say YES to the amendment for HB 112.

HB 427 would prevent trans youth under 18 from getting gender-affirming surgery. This situation is already heavily restricted, but bill sponsor Rep. John Fuller used the hearing on this bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee to spread misinformation about trans people and justify unnecessary restrictions on surgical care. 

Action – This bill could have a floor vote in the Senate soon. Please tell your senators NO. 

SB 280 would force transgender people to have surgery and get a court order before changing the gender marker on their birth certificate.

Action – This passed out of the House Judiciary Committee by a vote of 12-7 and should be scheduled for a floor hearing soon. Please tell your representative NO on SB 280. 

SB 99 would prevent access to accurate sex education and ban qualified medical providers from offering sex education. This bill could possibly classify any mention of human sexuality or gender identity as sex education.

Action – This bill is waiting for a vote on the House floor. Please tell  your representative NO.

SB 215 establishes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which allows any person, corporation or other entity to claim an exemption from any law, policy or government regulation if the action might burden their religious expression. An amendment to protect the Montana Human Rights Act and local non-discrimination ordinances failed by a vote of 47-53 on the House floor. The bill passed the House 59-38 and is on its way to the Governor to be signed. Governor Gianforte and Lt. Governor Juras lobbied legislators hard on this bill. 

YES to HB 36 – Indigenous safety and sovereignty

Bills that address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women have had a lot o so please make sure you prioritize this action.

Action – This bill is going back to the Senate for approval of???, and then is expected to be signed by the governor. 

YES to HB 36 – Indigenous safety and sovereignty

Bills that address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women have had a lot of  bipartisan support at every point in the legislative process. Let’s give HB 36 support as it nears the finish line!

HB 36 establishes a missing persons response team training grant program. It passed its second reading in the Senate, and was referred to the Senate Finance and Claims Committee. 

Action – Please tell that committee and your senator yes on this bill. 

Tribal sovereignty – SB 214 defeated 

SB 214 was an attempt to revise tax exemptions for private land that is being reclaimed and added to tribal trust lands. A similar bill like this was tabled in committee, and this bill was tabled in the House Taxation Committee this week.  Montana’s tribal nations have repeatedly spoken out against this bill and two others like it this session, so we are relived to see it finished. 

Indigenous voting rights failed to pass

HB 613 is the Montana Native American Voting Rights Act, which would make it easier for Indigenous people to vote. This bill had a great deal of support through the legislative process, only to be voted down on third reading in the House, 48-51.

Losing these protections for Indigenous voters is difficult to face, especially considering how many voter suppression bills have passed. Here is a statement from Keaton Sunchild, Political Director of Western Native Voice. 

NO to HB 406 – Voter suppression

An inclusive democracy should make it easier for people to exercise their right to vote. Instead, legislators are creating barriers to voting for first-time voters, college students, people who move frequently, Indigenous people, and people who work long hours.

HB 406 is the last of the voter suppression laws left in the process. All others, which include SB 169, SB 170, and HB 176, have all passed. HB 406 attempts to place new restrictions on absentee ballot collection that would directly impact Native voters.

Action – This bill is waiting for executive action from the Senate State Administration Committee. Please tell this committee and your senator NO. 

No to SB 108 – Militia ideology and health boards

SB 108 weakens the authority of county health boards and officers by restricting them to recommendations (not directives) on public-health measures. County commissions would be given final approval authority instead of health board members with specialized knowledge and medical training.

Anti-government groups have routinely pushed for exactly this type of shift to give more power to the county commission, which they view as the highest legitimate level of government.

Action  – SB 108 is waiting for action from the House Business and Labor Committee. Please tell them and your representative NO.

 

YES to federal funding for refugee resettlement programs

Earlier this session, $390,000 in federal funding for refugee resettlement programs was removed from the budget. This funding is available at no cost to the state or municipalities, and it has provided critical resources for jobs and  support mechanisms for recently arrived refugees. Thanks to the hard work of the International Rescue Committee and Soft Landing Missoula, the Senate Finance and Claims Committee added the funding back into the state budget. 

Action – Please tell the Senate Finance and Claims Committee and your senator to keep funding for refugee resettlement in the budget. 

NO to SB 100  – Economic justice

No to HB 279 and SB 99 – Attacks on public schools

NO to HB 229 and HB 337 – Anti-choice bills

Two anti-choice bills need immediate attention! Legislators have passed four harmful bills this session, and these are two more attacking reproductive choice in Montana. 

Action items

• HB 229 would prevent insurance policies obtained through the Affordable Care Act exchange from covering abortion. It passed the Senate Judiciary Committee, so please tell your senator NO.
  
  

• HB 337 attempts to redefine the word “person.” This would give a fertilized egg constitutional rights in order to ban access to abortion and possibly birth control. This bill had a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, and is awaiting executive action. Please contact the committee and your senator and tell them NO!
  
  

NO to HB 244 – Death penalty

 HB 244 would change the requirements for drugs used for lethal injections so a broader range of drugs could be used for executions. This change is happening because the drugs that were previously used for fast, pain-free executions have been discontinued by their manufacturers.

Action – This bill passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee with a narrow 6-5 vote. Please tell your senator to vote NO.

No to SB 159, SB 182, and SB 184 – Budget and revenue

These bills have one theme in common: lowering taxes for the wealthy and cutting much-needed revenue for important state programs.  You can read more here. 

SB 159 would lower the top income tax rate from 6.9% to 6.75%. That means that 79% of the benefit will go to the wealthiest 20% of households and drop more than $30 million in revenue from the general fund per year. That will probably lead to drastic cuts in vital services and infrastructure in Montana.

Action – SB 159 is waiting for executive action in the House Taxation Committee. 

SB 182 will trigger more tax cuts to wealthy Montanans based on state revenue levels. This bill will have serious repercussions that could last for years.

Action – This bill passed the House Taxation Committee with a 12-6 vote, and should have a floor vote in the future. Please tell your House member NO. 

 

SB 184 cuts certain capital gains taxes, which benefits wealthy investors, not workers. This will not help Montana recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic.

Action – This bill passed its second reading in the House on Monday. Please tell your representative NO. 

Bills recently passed

Here’s a recap of bills that passed their floor votes and are headed to the governor’s desk. Our position on each of these bills is indicated with a YES or NO.

• HB 35 will establish a missing persons review commission in order to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people. YES

• HB 98 will extend the Missing Indigenous Persons Task force and the LINC (Looping in Native Communities) grant program. YES 

• HB 121 would remove power from the nonpartisan public health experts on county health boards and give it to partisan members of county commissions. This bill passed its third reading on Thursday. NO

• HB 200 would prohibit sanctuary cities in Montana, even though none currently exist. This bill would fine cities that do not take part in federal immigration issues. NO

• HB 223 would compel local law enforcement to play the part of federal immigration agents and could increase racial profiling across Montana. This bill passed its third reading in the Senate. After approval of amendments, this should soon pass to the governor. NO

• SB 169 would require photo IDs to register to vote and vote in person. It passed third reading in the House with amendments, and now the Senate has to approve those amendments. NO

• SB 170, which required annual voter list maintenance that could lead to voter list purges, passed out of the House and was sent to the governor’s desk. NO

• HB 176 will eliminate same-day voter registration and end late voter registration at noon the day before Election Day. It passed third reading in the House on Tuesday. NO

• HB 258 would prohibit enforcement of any federal regulations regarding firearms in Montana. This bill passed the Senate and should be on its way to the governor’s desk. NO

 

When legislators in the 2021 Montana Legislature launched a series of bills attacking the basic rights of LGBTQ people, Montanans responded. About 300 businesses and organizations signed onto a statement telling these legislators that these bills were bad for hardworking Montanans and bad for business.

Here’s the list of all of the businesses and organizations that signed! They are listed in alphabetical order by city, and you’ll find businesses in our lovely smaller towns under the “Rural” heading.

The statement they signed is located at the end of this list. Thank you to the Free and Fair Coalition for their work on this list!

CORPORATE

American Airlines

Molson Coors Beverage Company

BILLINGS

406 Race Series

AD Astra Air Duct Cleaning

Angela Matta, LCSW, LAC, PC

Canopy Behavioral Health, PLLC

DerB Designs

Fireweed Creative

Kinesi Coaching Studios

Louis Habeck Construction

Montana Endeavors

Nerd Rager

New Vision Software

Pita Pit

Planned Parenthood of Montana

Q360 Health

Resolute Health and Wellness

Russ Plath Law LLC

Samantha M French Arts

Teresa Kennedy Counseling And Consulting, PLLC

Transformative Counseling LLC

Visionary Counseling

Zest Billings LLC

BOZEMAN

2 Fat Guys Spirits

Aether Tattoo

AlterCycles

Arete Builders

A New Hope Psychotherapy PLLC

Better Angels LLC

Bird Dog Strategies

The Bountiful Table

Bridger Brewing

Bridgercare

Broadside Productions

Broken Ground

Bruca LLC

Calliope Flowers

Classic Clean Inc.

commonFont, LLC

Cottonwood Enterprises, Inc.

Cottonwood Environmental Law Center

D Gregory Smith, MA LCPC

Design 5

Downtown Bozeman Partnership

DTLP Inc. / SHINE Beer Sanctuary

Egzact Electrolysis Center

Erotique

Experiencing Change LLC

Faultline Strategies

Fresco Cafe

Good Trip Adventures

Haven

Heather White Strategies LLC

Hive and Hamlet Inc.

Hopa Mountain

JG Research and Evaluation

Karen Lundgren LLC

Kestrel Aerial Services, Inc.

Lang Studios, LLC

Last Best Comedy

The Lazy Enuf

Lehrkind Mansion Bed And Breakfast

Leslie Trumble, PsyD, LLC

Lotus Effects, LLC

Love | Schack Architecture, PC

Madysen Rose Designs

Magnite, Inc.

Metta Counseling Services, LLC

Mountain Air Dance

Movie Lovers Inc

The Montana Racial Equity Project

Montana Science Center

Mountain Air Dance

Mr. Paper Caper

Nick Hill Films

Nine Worlds LLC

Oasis Organics

Open Routes Counseling

Paulie’s Market and Deli

Priscilla Foster Handmade LLC

Que Ver, LLC

Red Chair Retreat AirBnB

Sacred Images Tattoo and Piercing

Scarson Photography

Schenk Construction Inc.

SHÈN

Slanted Creative Co.

Slow Drift River Shuttles

Smith River Therapy

Sun Snow Creative

Tadpull

Three Rivers Defense

Timberline to Coastline

Transitions Counseling

Velvet Studio

Verge Theater

Vibliome Therapeutics

Vibrant Life Therapy, LLC

Village Green Preservation

weas design.

Wellness Well Made

Wordal Law PLLC

XY Planning Network

Yellowstone Wellness

YGP LLC

BUTTE

Copper Physical Therapy

Great Harvest Bread Co.

Long Haul Goods

Marching Order LLC

Shelly Clark Music Studio

Taco Del Sol

Woodie’s Rescues

The Write Exposure

 

FLATHEAD VALLEY

Bigfork

Ned Cooney, Facilitator/Consultant, Echo Ventures Inc.

Columbia Falls

Backslope Brewing

Greg Schatz Builder

Montana Woman Magazine

Odd Fellows Coffee House 

Snowy Owl Therapeutic Services

Kalispell

Carrie Thiel Counseling

Columbia Falls United Methodist Church

Flathead Farmworks

Handle Brews

Glacier Queer Alliance

Kalispell Brewing Company

Megan Keenan Counseling

Mission Mountain Wholesale

Randall Woodworking

Sane Solutions by Dru

Soul Nutrition, LLC

Whitefish

Clearwater Counseling Services, LLC

Explore Whitefish (Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau)

Garden Wall Inn

HandWorks

Harbor Mountain Properties

LJ Communications, Inc

Love Lives Here in the Flathead

Mazur & Mazur, LLC

Montana Coffee Traders

Nelson’s Ace Hardware

Riverhome Psychological Services, PLLC

Thrive Inc.

The Walking Man Frame Shop & Gallery

GREAT FALLS

Add-A-Tudez

Belles and Lace Bridal

Bighorn Outdoor Specialists

Bridge Solutions, LLC

Dia Desserts

Electric City Creative

Fireweed Creative

Graybill Law Firm, PC

Residential Appraisal Service of Montana, LLC

REP Space

Shirley J. Cayko, LCSW

Sirens and Dappers Clothing Shoppe

HELENA

1+1=1 Gallery

Ann Truesdell, Independent consultant 

The Art Space

Aspen Law PLLC

Auxilyum Technologies, Inc

Blackfoot River Brewing Co.

Blue Feather Chiropractic

Blue Heron Design

Chasers of the Light

Cotton-Top Pastries

Emily Tosoni, Arbonne Independent Consultant

FUNKY TRUNK

General Mercantile

Grandstreet Theatre

Greenbriar Psychotherapy

Gulch Distillers

The Hawthorn

Helena Community Yoga

Illumination Interior Design

Jenny Buchman, Cosmetologist

Little Fox Learning Center

Loft Yoga Helena

Montago Coffee

Montana Book Company

Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

Montana Human Rights Network

The Montana Post

The Myrna Loy

Nerd Central

The Painted Pot

Quality Plus Home Services

Queen City Framing & Art Supplies

Randall Fuhrmann Counseling and Therapy

RentHelena.com

Rock Wren Jewelry

Signs Now Helena

The Sovereign Health Project

Stevens Real Estate Group

Sunflower Bakery

Ten Mile Creek Brewery

Treasure State Internet

White Wolf Enterprises, LLC

LIVINGSTON

ASPEN – Abuse Support & Prevention Education Network

Blue Desk Art LC

Dunlap Rehabilitation Services

Fireside Productions Inc.

The Frame Garden

The Kitchen Shop

Montana Aquatic Resources Services

Montana Farrier Supply

studioryker

Wheatgrass Books & Gifts

MISSOULA

ACLU of Montana

Associated Students of the University of Montana

Banana Belt RealtyThe Clay Studio of Missoula

Bathing Beauties Beads

Beefcake Swimwear

Betty’s Divine

Big Dipper Ice Cream

Big Sky Herbals & Edibles

Black Coffee Roasting Co.

Bridge Pizza

Burns St. Bistro

The Catalyst Cafe

ClassPass

The Clay Studio of Missoula

Cedar Creek Integrated Health

Central House Strategies

Charley Macorn

Clyde Coffee

Community Forward Consulting

Complexly

Dandelion and Pine

Darrow Law PLLC

Design to Print

Detour

Driscoll Hathaway Law Group

Ear Candy Music 2

Ellie Hill Smith, Law Offices

EmpowerMT

Erica Sandiland, LCSW, LLC

FABshed

Fact & Fiction Books

First United Methodist Church

Flaherty Consulting

Flaherty Financial Services

Garden City Harvest

GILD

Glacier Country Regional Tourism Commission

Glacier Ice Rink

Golden Yolk Griddle

Imagine Nation Brewing

Ink Realty Group

Inner Roads Inc.

International Wildlife Film Festival

KBGA College Radio

Kevin Hilton

LAB Industries

Liquid Planet

Lyn’s Bookkeeping & Payroll Service

M-80 Chicken

MCAT TV

Mamalode

Meera Graham Art and Coaching

Missoula Bicycle Works

Missoula First United Methodist Church / Faith and Justice Group

Missoula First United Methodist Church / Mission & Outreach 

Missoula Food Bank & Community Center

Missoula Pediatric Associates

Missoula Therapy, PLLC

Missoulian

Montana Clay Creations

Montana Women Vote

MT Child Care Resource & Referral Network

North-Missoula Community Development Corporation

Oneshi Press

Painting with a Twist

Plantasia LLC

Poteet Construction

Poverello Center

Project Veterinary Clinic

Rattlesnake Construction and Investments

Ries Law Group, PC

Rio Chantel Photography

Ronald E. Barker, LCSW, MAC, SAP

The Roxy Theater

ShowRoom Missoula

Small Time Shirt

Submittable

Starhitch

Sunrise Movement Montana

Three Bales Home Supply

TransVisible Montana

Tuning Fork Creative LLC

United Church of Christ Missoula

Western Cultural, Inc.

Wildfire Ceramic Studio

Women’s Resource Center

Rural

A Buck or $2.00, Cut Bank

Antler Pub and Grill, Gardiner

Bellwether Jewelry, Babb

Blue Line Plumbing LLC, Manhattan 

Boulder Creek Packs, Corvallis

Bozeman Supportive Counseling, PLLC, Gallatin Gateway

Carole Paredes, LCPC, PLLC, Hamilton

Chapter One Book Store, Hamilton

County Rail Farm / Field Five Flowers, Huson

Follow Yer’ Nose BBQ, Emigrant

Fuze Electric, Ronan

Glacier Distilling Company, Coram

Griffith Steel, Baker

GRM Consulting, Darby

Hardin Chevrolet, Hardin

H bar N Craftworks, Wisdom

Hope’s Artisan Foods, Red Lodge

Indigikitchen, Babb

Innsjoen Enterprises, LLP, Somers

Iridium Learning & Consulting, Red Lodge

Little Pipestone Ranch Soap Co., Whitehall

Montana Air Studio, Florence

Montana Press Monthly

Open Doors Education and Consulting LLC, Belgrade

Overland Cruisers, Belgrade

Pistol Creek Ranch, St. Ignatius

Pom Italian Eatery, Red Lodge

Red Ants Pants, White Sulfur Springs

Ripples Unlimited, Belgrade

Sagebrush Woodcrafts, Roundup

Silent T Construction, Belgrade

SmartBooks, Polson

Thunder Cloud Images, Gallatin Gateway

Tongue River Winery, Miles City

Tree Hugger Soap Co., Dillon

Waxwing Psychotherapy, LLP, Polson

Wildflour Bakery, Emigrant

Whitehall Geogroup, inc., Whitehall

Vintage Apothecary, Bridger

 

 

 

 

We’re still running the legislative marathon!

Thank you, thank you to everyone who is still writing and calling your legislators. This report adds up the number of messages that legislators have received through the Capitol switchboard and online mail form. It’s clear that you’ve been busy!

Here’s one example. For HB 112, the bill that would ban trans youth from participating in sports, more than 2, 145 people sent messages opposing the bill, and 853 were in favor.

Please keep up the amazing work! Each message is important as we remind legislators that Montana values are built on caring for our neighbors and creating opportunity for everyone. 

How to contact your legislators

• Find your legislators here.

• Email them here.

• Call the Capitol switchboard at 406-444-4800 from 7:30am – 5pm on weekdays to leave them a message.

 

NO to SB 215, SB 280, HB 112, and HB 427 and the Discrimination by Design campaign

The dates for final votes for these bills have changed a couple of times, and we’re trying to keep everyone updated via Facebook posts and email action items. Given the information we have at the moment, we’re anticipating that floor votes on HB 112, HB 427, and SB 215 will happen early this week. See the listing for each bill for more information. 

These bills are part of a coordinated effort across the country to normalize anti-LGBTQ and anti-trans legislation. It’s crucial to keep sending the message that everyone has the right to feel safe in Montana.
 
HB 112 – This bill would prevent transgender and nonbinary youth from participating in school sports. Health care professionals have testified that participation in sports gives trans youth more confidence, better mental and physical health, and affirmation that they are valued members of their school. 

Action – HB 112 was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee along party lines and may have a Senate floor vote on Tuesday. Please contact your senator and say NO to HB 112.

HB 427 would prevent trans youth under 18 from getting gender-affirming surgery. This situation is already heavily restricted, but bill sponsor Rep. John Fuller used the hearing on this bill in the Senate Judiciary Committee to spread misinformation about trans people and justify unnecessary restrictions on surgical care. 

Action – This bill is also likely to have floor vote in the Senate early this week. Please tell your senators NO. 

SB 215 would establish the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which would allow any person, corporation or other entity to claim an exemption from any law, policy or government regulation if the action might burden their religious expression.

Governor Gianforte and Lt. Governor Kristen Juras have been lobbying legislators hard on this bill, so please make sure you prioritize this action.

Action – This bill is also headed for a vote on the House floor next week. Please tell your representative to vote NO today and every day. 

SB 280 would force transgender people have surgery and get a court order before changing the gender marker on their birth certificate.

Action – This bill should have a vote in the House Judiciary Committee early this week, and could move to a floor vote soon after. Please tell this committee and your representative NO on SB 280. 

SB 99 would prevent access to accurate sex education and ban qualified medical providers from offering sex education. This bill could possibly classify any mention of human sexuality or gender identity as sex education.

Action – This bill is waiting for a vote on the House floor. Please tell  your representative NO.

YES to HB 36 – Indigenous safety and sovereignty

Bills that address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women have had a lot of support at every point in the legislative process. Let’s give this bill support during its final vote.

HB 36 establishes a missing persons response team training grant program. It passed its second reading in the Senate, and was referred to the Senate Finance and Claims Committee. 

Action – Please tell that committee and your senator yes on this bill. 

NO to SB 214 – Tribal sovereignty 

SB 214 is an attempt to remove tax exemptions for private land that is being reclaimed and added to tribal trust lands. Montana’s tribal nations have repeatedly spoken out against this bill and two others like it this session. 

Action  – SB 214 had a hearing in the House Taxation Committee and is waiting for a vote. Tell this committee and your representative NO. Read more here on SB 214. 

YES to HB 613 – Indigenous voting rights

HB 613 is the Montana Native American Voting Rights Act, which would make it easier for Indigenous people to vote. 

Action – This bill is scheduled for a second reading on the House floor on Monday. Please tell your representative YES. 

No to HB 121 and SB 108 – Militia ideology and health boards

SB 108 weakens the authority of county health boards and officers by restricting them to recommendations (not directives) on public-health measures. County commissions would be given final approval authority instead of health board members with specialized knowledge and medical training.

Anti-government groups have routinely pushed for exactly this type of shift to give more power to the county commission, which they view as the highest legitimate level of government.

Action  – SB 108 is waiting for action from the House Business and Labor Committee. Please tell them and your representative NO.

 

YES to federal funding for refugee resettlement programs

Earlier this session, $390,000 in federal funding for refugee resettlement programs was removed from the budget. This funding is available at no cost to the state or municipalities, and it has provided critical resources for jobs and  support mechanisms for recently arrived refugees. Thanks to the hard work of the International Rescue Committee and Soft Landing Missoula, we are optimistic that we can restore this funding, but we need your help. 

Action – Please tell the Senate Finance and Claims Committee and your senator that you support funding for refugee resettlement. 

NO to SB 100 and HB 676 – Economic justice

NO to HB 258  – Gun safety

HB 258 would prohibit enforcement of any federal regulations regarding firearms in Montana. Gary Marbut, leader of the pro-militia extremist group the Montana Shooting Sports Association, and his supporters have been rallying support for this bill.

Action – This bill has one more reading on the Senate floor. Please contact your senator and say NO.

NO to HB 176 and HB 406 – Voter suppression

An inclusive democracy should make it easier for people to exercise their right to vote. Instead, legislators are creating barriers to voting for first-time voters, college students, people who move frequently, Indigenous people, and people who work long hours.

Action items

• HB 176 would eliminate same-day voter registration and end late voter registration at noon the day before Election Day. It passed the Senate and is scheduled for its second reading in the House with amendments. Please tell your representative NO.
  
  

• HB 406 attempts to place new restrictions on absentee ballot collection. This bill is waiting for executive action from the Senate State Administration Committee. Please tell this committee and your senator NO. 
  
  

No to HB 279, HB 633, and SB 99 – Attacks on public schools

Action – HB 633 is waiting for executive action in the House Education Committee. Tell them and your representative NO.


SB 99 is another bill supported by the Religious Right. See details above, under the anti-LGBTQ Discrimination by Design bills. 

NO to HB 229 and HB 337 – Anti-choice bills

Two anti-choice bills need immediate attention! Legislators have passed four harmful bills this session, and these are two more attacking reproductive choice in Montana. 

Action items

• HB 229 would prevent insurance policies obtained through the Affordable Care Act exchange from covering abortion. It passed the Senate Judiciary Committee, so please tell your senator NO.
  
  

• HB 337 attempts to redefine the word “person.” This would give a fertilized egg constitutional rights in order to ban access to abortion and possibly birth control. This bill is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, March 31, so please contact the committee and your senator and tell them NO!
  
  

NO to HB 244 – Death penalty

 HB 244 would change the requirements for drugs used for lethal injections so a broader range of drugs could be used for executions. This change is happening because the drugs that were previously used for fast, pain-free executions have been discontinued by their manufacturers.

Action – This bill should have a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Please tell them NO.

No to SB 159, SB 182, and SB 184 – Budget and revenue

These bills have one theme in common: lowering taxes for the wealthy and cutting much-needed revenue for important state programs.  You can read more here. 

SB 159 would lower the top income tax rate from 6.9% to 6.75%. That means that 79% of the benefit will go to the wealthiest 20% of households and drop more than $30 million in revenue from the general fund per year. That will probably lead to drastic cuts in vital services and infrastructure in Montana.

SB 182 will trigger more tax cuts to wealthy Montanans based on state revenue levels. This bill will have serious repercussions that could last for years.

Action – SB 159 and SB 182 are waiting for executive action in the House Taxation Committee. 

 

SB 184 cuts certain capital gains taxes, which benefits wealthy investors, not workers. This will not help Montana recover from the economic impacts of the pandemic.

Action – This bill is scheduled for second reading in the House on Monday. Please tell your representative NO. 

Bills recently passed

Here’s a recap of bills that passed their floor votes and are headed to the governor’s desk. Our position on each of these bills is indicated with a YES or NO.

• HB 35 will establish a missing persons review commission in order to address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people. YES

• HB 98 will extend the Missing Indigenous Persons Task force and the LINC (Looping in Native Communities) grant program. YES 

• HB 121 would remove power from the nonpartisan public health experts on county health boards and give it to partisan members of county commissions. This bill passed its third reading on Thursday. NO

• HB 200 would prohibit sanctuary cities in Montana, even though none currently exist. This bill would fine cities that do not take part in federal immigration issues. NO

• HB 223 would compel local law enforcement to play the part of federal immigration agents and could increase racial profiling across Montana. This bill passed its third reading in the Senate. After approval of amendments, this should soon pass to the governor.   NO

• SB 169 would require photo IDs to register to vote and vote in person. It passed third reading in the House with amendments, and now the Senate has to approve those amendments. NO

• SB 170, which required annual voter list maintenance that could lead to voter list purges, passed out of the House and was sent to the governor’s desk. NO

This is a crucial week for action on LGBTQ legislation! Many of these destructive bills have their final hearings or votes on the floor of the House and Senate, so we need more calls and emails to persuade legislators that these bills will harm Montana in many ways.

It’s important to give priority to bills impacting Indigenous sovereignty, voting rights, and safety, too.

Please keep up the pressure! 

How to contact your legislators

• Find your legislators here.

• Email them here.

• Call the Capitol switchboard at 406-444-4800 from 7:30am – 5pm on weekdays to leave them a message.

One more way to oppose anti-LGBTQ legislation

Businesses and organizations – if you serve Montana, you can tell tell legislators NO to anti-LGBTQ bills by signing onto this statement. It clearly outlines how these bills hurt LGBTQ people and businesses that operate by the core values of fairness, equal treatment, opportunity, and inclusive practices. 

NO to SB 215, SB 280 and the Discrimination by Design campaign

Please share the link to this report with your friends and family! We need every LGBTQ ally to send a message to the legislature that we won’t stay silent in the face of cruel bills that make life harder for Montanans who already face discrimination and harassment.

 

Here’s a great overview of the place we’re in right now. The groups supporting anti-LGBTQ legislation claim these bills aren’t about discrimination, but they have repeatedly tried to remove rights from LGBTQ Montanans. 
keep reading

Today, our hearts are with the residents of Atlanta who are reeling from a mass shooting this week where eight people were murdered. Six of these people were Asian American women with names, families, and dreams. We stand in solidarity with these communities and their families and call for an end to hate crimes.

These are the names of the victims. Say their names.

• Xiaojie Tan 

• Daoyou Feng 

• Soon Chung Park

• Suncha Kim

• Yong Ae Yue

• Hyun Jung Kim

• Delaina Ashley Yaun

• Paul Andre Michels 

Every shooting is a tragedy, but we are especially disturbed to see these senseless murders after a steady rise in violence targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islander people across America. According to this article from the Los Angeles Times, a report by Stop AAPI Hate documented 3,795 racially motivated attacks against Asian Americans from March 2020 through February 2021.   keep reading

The tenth week of the legislative session just wrapped up! The schedule is slowing just a bit because new non-revenue bills can’t be introduced. However, the sense of urgency is increasing as bills impacting LGBTQ community members, Indigenous people, and the budget keep moving ahead.

Please take a few minutes to write or call your legislators and tell them your perspective on these bills. Your voice matters!

How to contact your legislators

• Find your legislators here.

• Email them here.

• Call the Capitol switchboard at 406-444-4800 from 7:30am – 5pm on weekdays to leave them a message.
  
  

NO to SB 215, SB 280 and the Discrimination by Design campaigns

Crucial hearings and floor votes are coming up next week. Please say no to these anti-LGBTQ bills and get a few friends to contact their legislators, too.
keep reading

Transmittal Break Update

We’re at transmittal! Legislators are heading home after considering and voting on a massive amount of proposed legislation. Bills that did not pass out of the chamber where they originated (from House to Senate or vice versa) are now dead. The bills that made it over this threshold are still in action, and we’ll help you respond.

This summary is the Dead or Alive update. We’ll let you know what legislation didn’t make it through, and which bills we need to support or resist as they move through the rest of the session.

The legislators are on a break for a few days, but you can use that time to write them to support or vote against the bills you care about.

How to contact your legislators

• Find your legislators here.

• Email them here.

• Call the Capitol switchboard at 406-444-4800 from 7:30am – 5pm on weekdays to leave them a message.
  
  

Bills still alive

Discrimination by Design bills

Certain legislators have used these bills to spread misinformation about transgender, nonbinary and Two Spirit Montanans. Here are the bills that still need our attention.
keep reading

The pace at the Montana Legislature isn’t slowing down. As we get closer to transmittal next week, legislators are pushing bills through as fast as they can, so a lot of dangerous legislation is on the table.

Several bills haven’t moved forward since last week because we’re hitting the transmittal deadline, which is Wednesday, March 3. Bills need to cross from the chamber where they originated (from House to Senate or vice versa) by this date. If you’re not seeing action on bills that crossed to the other chamber earlier this month, that’s probably because legislators know they have time to act on them during the second half of the session.

Please take a few minutes to make comments on these bills. There’s a good chance that we can kill some of the really terrible ones this week. 

How to contact your legislators

• Find your legislators here.

• Email them here.

• Call the Capitol switchboard at 406-444-4800 from 7:30am – 5pm on weekdays to leave them a message.

 

NO to SB 215, SB 280 and the Discrimination by Design campaigns

Legislators should be using their time focusing on Montana’s economy, but they’re attacking LGBTQ people instead. We’re calling their efforts the Discrimination by Design campaign. Please email your legislators every day on one of these bills. Top priorities are SB 215 and SB 280!

You can read more about these bills here.

SB 215 is another attempt to establish the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which would allow any person, corporation or other entity to claim an exemption from any law, policy or government regulation if the action might burden their religious expression. And it could allow individuals to decide that non-discrimination laws, child abuse laws, and domestic violence laws don’t apply to them.
keep reading

MHRN supporters have reached out to ask what on earth is happening at the session this week! New bills are cropping up, and the others are getting pushed through the process very quickly.

Why the rush? It’s almost transmittal time!

Transmittal is an important deadline within the legislative session. Bills that aren’t passed through the chamber of the legislature where the bill was introduced by this date are essentially dead. The deadline for introducing general bills (those not related to the budget) is next week. That’s why legislators are hustling to get their bills submitted and hearings scheduled.

The result is that in a year when so many bad bills are coming through, it’s going to feel even more overwhelming for the next few days. Please keep breathing, keep calling or writing, and do what you can. Thank you for all of the work you’ve done so far!
We did our best to list bills by priority in this summary, but that doesn’t mean that bills at the bottom are less important.

How to contact your legislators

• Find your legislators here .

• Email them here .

• Call the Capitol switchboard at 406-444-4800 from 7:30am – 5pm on weekdays to leave them a message.

Discrimination by Design – NO to anti-LGBTQ legislation

Top priority for this week is a list of bills we’re calling the Discrimination by Design campaign. There’s no denying that all of these bills will make life more difficult for LGBTQ community members, especially when some of them are specifically targeting transgender, nonbinary and Two Spirit people.

HB 112 – This bill would prevent transgender and nonbinary youth from participating in school sports. Health care professionals have testified that participation in sports gives trans more confidence, better mental and physical health, and affirmation that they are valued members of their school. Montana could also lose up to $484 million in federal funding because this bill contradicts President Biden’s recent executive order that states, “Children should be able to learn without worrying about whether they will be denied access to the restroom, the locker room, or school sports.”

Action – Contact your senator to say NO to HB 112. 

HB 427 is a revised version of HB 113, which proposed denying health care to transgender youth. It looks like the bill sponsor is trying to get this version through by removing hormones and puberty blockers from the list of prohibited care, but the outcome is still the same. Montana legislators are trying to get between families and their medical care.

Action – HB 427 should have a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Monday, so please contact them today to say NO this bill. 

SB 215 is another attempt to establish the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which would allow any person, corporation or other entity to claim an exemption from any law, policy or government regulation if the action might burden their religious expression. And it could allow individuals to decide that non-discrimination laws, child abuse laws, and domestic violence laws don’t apply to them.

Action – This bill passed out of committee 7-4 on a party line vote after receiving amendments. Please tell your senator NO on SB 215. 

SB 280 This bill, which is sponsored by the same legislator as SB 215, just appeared this week. It would force transgender people to have surgery and go through a court process before their birth certificate could be changed to their correct gender.

Action – A hearing in the House Judiciary Committee is scheduled for next Thursday. Please tell them NO. 

SB 99 would prevent access to accurate sex education and ban qualified medical providers from offering sex education and possibly classify any mention of human sexuality or gender identity as sex education.

Action – Please tell your senator NO on this bill. 

NO to HB 200 and 223 – Immigration

These two bills made it out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, so we need another round of emails. Both these bills ask local police to play the role of immigration officers.

HB 200 prohibits sanctuary cities in Montana, even though none currently exist.

HB 223 is especially dangerous because it not only asks, but compels local law enforcement to play the part of federal immigration agents. This bill would divert local resources, open the door for profiling and civil rights violations, and erode trust in ways that make our communities less safe.

Action – Ask your senator to say NO to both bills, but please reach out to these additional senators on HB 223. They might be persuaded to vote against.

• Duane Ankney – R-Colstrip, SD20

• John Fitzpatrick – R-Great Falls, SD10

• Chris Friedel – R-Billings, SD26

• Terry Gauthier – R-Helena, SD40

• Bruce Gillespie – R-Ethridge, SD9 (Cascade, Augusta, Choteau, Conrad, Shelby, Cut Bank)

• Doug Kary – R-Billings, SD22

• Walt Sales – R-Manhattan, SD35

• Daniel Salomon – R-Ronan, SD47

• Jason Small – R-Busby, SD21

• Russ Tempel – R-Chester, SD14

• Jeff Welborn – R-Dillon, SD36

• Mark Blasdel (Majority Leader) – R-Kalispell, SD 

NO on SB 169, SB 170, HB 176, HB 406, HB 455 – Voter suppression

More voter suppression bills are flowing into the session, and the ways that they could complicate voting in Montana are staggering. These bills seems to be targeting voting rights for Indigenous people, new voters, and college students in particular.
Thanks to the Indigenous Organizers’ Collective for sharing this information so we can take action!

Information and action items
SB 169 would require voters to have photo ID to register to vote and cast their vote. This bill had a hearing on Friday, so please tell the House State Administration committee NO. 

SB 170 would require annual voter list maintenance. This could lead to list purges that removed people from voter registration lists, but they would not realize they were ineligible to vote until Election Day. Please tell the House State Administration committee NO. 

HB 176 would eliminate same-day voter registration and end late voter registration at noon the day before Election Day. Please tell the House State Administration committee NO.

HB 406 attempts to place new restrictions on ballot collection. People who are not family members would be required to register as a ballot collector and fill out a permission slip for each ballot collected. Each violation of proper registration would be considered a misdemeanor and punishable by a fine of $500. Tell the House Judiciary Committee NO. 

HB 455 attacks the absentee ballot process by complicating the system considerably. Please tell the House State Administration committee NO. Here are some of the unnecessary and oppressive restrictions it creates. 

• Absentee ballots would have to be returned by 6pm on Election Day

• Voters would be required to request an absentee ballot for each election, eliminating the option to be on a permanent absentee ballot list

• Absentee ballots would have to be sent to your residential address, even if you’re away temporarily

 

Yes on SB 94 and SB 146, NO on LC 2809 – Indigenous sovereignty

It’s time for Indigenous People’s Day! Both SB 94 and SB 146 would add Indigenous People’s Day to the list of Montana holidays. Click here to read about these bills.

Action – Both bills had hearings before the Senate State Administration Committee, so please contact this committee and your senator to say YES to SB 94 and SB 146.

LC 2809 This bill sponsored by Bob Keenan would repeal the CSKT water compact, which was carefully negotiated for years. Many anti-Indian groups and their supporters have been trying to undo this agreement at every step in the process. 

This bill could enter the process at moment, and we will tell you how and when to say NO.

NO on HB 121, HB 236, HB 216, and SB 108 – Militia ideology removing authority from health boards

Most of the county supremacy bills are about to advance, so please take a few minutes to contact legislators and committees about the dangers of these bills.You can click here to get talking points about these bills and their connections to militia ideology.

Updates and action items

HB 121 and HB 236 are bills that remove power from the nonpartisan public health experts on county health boards and give it to partisan members of county commissions. These bills have hearings in the House Business and Labor Committee on Monday. Please tell that committee to vote NO. 

HB 316 is waiting for action in the House Business and Labor Committee. The bill gives final decision on public health measures and the local level to the county commission, changes the governor’s powers during statewide emergencies, and allows legislators to request to poll the entire legislative body in order to challenge the governor’s emergency orders. Please contact this committee and tell them NO. 

SB 108 would remove certain powers from the health board, like the ability to recommend and carry out prevention measures for communicable diseases. It would also remove penalties for people who don’t comply with health department directives. This bill has a hearing scheduled in House Business and Labor on Tuesday, February 23, so please contact the committee and tell them NO. 

HB 144 , which would allow sheriffs to refuse to assist health officers without penalty. This bill passed unanimously out of the Senate Judiciary Committee last week, so please contact your senator and say NO. 

Yes on HB 458 and HJ 12, No on HJ 11 – Accountability for militias

HB 458 – During the summer of 2020, there were a number of militia and so-called “Patriot” groups that showed up heavily armed to public events across Montana. They called themselves “neighborhood protectors” and claimed to be coordinating with police departments. In some cases, they chased down people they falsely assumed to be suspicious and held them until actual officers arrived.

This attempt to rebrand violent extremist groups as legitimate law enforcement entities needs to be stopped. This bill will classify those actions as impersonating an officer and place some other limits on militia activity.

Action – HB 458 has a hearing on Tuesday, February 23 in the House Judiciary Committee. Please tell them YES.

HJ 12 is a resolution recognizing that white nationalism and neo-Nazi groups are some of the largest threats to public safety in America today. This bill follows the conclusions of reports from the FBI , the Department of Homeland Security, and investigations after the January 6 attack on the US Capitol that far-right extremists are responsible for the majority of violent and lethal activity in America.

Action – HJ 12 will have a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on February 23. Please urge the committee members to vote YES.

HJ 11 , which would classify antifa as a domestic terrorist group, had a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee this week. During the hearing, a committee member asked bill sponsor Rep. Braxton Mitchell if this bill was bipartisan, as Mitchell claimed, where the Democratic sponsors were. Mitchell admitted that “making a joke on the bill.” Committee Chairman Barry Usher reminded Mitchell that the hearing was not a joking matter. 

After the hearing, 31 GOP 31 Republican lawmakers originally listed as co-sponsors withdrew their names.

Action – Tell the House Judiciary NO on HJ 11.

NO on SB 158 – Gun safety

SB 158 would allow legislators to carry concealed weapons on the floor of the legislative chambers, creating an intimidating atmosphere, especially when discussions can be heated.

Action – This bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee, so please contact your senator and say NO to SB 158.
 

NO to HB 171, HB 136, HB 140, and HB 167, HB 229, and HB 337 – Anti-choice

HB 171, HB 136, HB 140, and HB 167 are attempts to restrict reproductive health care and make abortion impossible in Montana. For more context on these bills, click here  to listen to an interview with Joey Banks, the chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood of Montana. He explains why full access to reproductive care is crucial for Montanans.

This article provides an overview of all of these anti-choice bills. 

Action – Please contact your senators today and tell them to vote No on HB 136, HB 140, HB 167, and HB 171. 

HB 229 would prevent insurance policies obtained through the Affordable Care Act exchange from covering abortion. This would force people with tight budgets to pay for this important care out of pocket.

Action – This bill is waiting for a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee, so please contact the committee and your senator and say NO to HB 229. 

HB 337 is a new bill attempting to redefine the word “person.” This would give a fertilized egg constitutional rights in order to ban access to abortion and possibly birth control.

Action — HB 337 will soon be up for debate on the House floor, so please contact your senator to say NO. 

NO on Gov. Gianforte’s budget, SB 159 and HB 279 – Budget and tax cuts

Gov. Gianforte’s proposed tax cuts are bad for Montana, and especially for working families. The proposed cuts will bring no benefit for them, but the wealthiest Montanans will get 80% of the benefits. Former Montana tax and economic development experts say that this tax politics that benefit the wealthy aren’t good for our state. Read more here. 

We’re featuring a couple of the tax bills below, but make sure you read this report from the Montana Budget and Policy Center which shows exactly how devastating and unfair the entire plan really is. 

SB 159 – This bill for “income tax relief” only helps those who already have the most. It lowers the top income tax rate from 6.9% to 6.75%, which means that 79% of the benefit will go to the wealthiest 20% of households. 

Someone with adjusted gross income of $25,000 will NOT get a tax cut, while a millionaire will get more than $1,400. That’s not only unfair, it will drain the state budget of $30 million each year and starve crucial programs of the funds they need.

Action – This bill passed out of the Senate Taxation Committee this week. Please tell your senator to vote NO on SB 159.

HB 279 – This bill would dramatically expand the tax-credit program for private schools. The current limit of $150 would jump to a shocking $200,000. This would allow individuals and companies to funnel money away from public education and steer it directly toward religious schools, continuing the Religious Right’s sustained attack on public education.

Action – This bill is still waiting for a vote in the House Education Committee. Please contact the committee and your representative and tell them NO on HB 279. 

NO to HB 244, YES to HB 335 – Death Penalty

HB 244 would change the requirements for drugs used for lethal injections so a broader range of drugs could be used for executions. It is uncertain what those drugs would be and if they would be adequate for humane executions.

Action –This bill had a hearing in the House Appropriations Committee this week, so please contact these members and your representative and say NO to HB 244.

HB 335 would end the death penalty in Montana and replace it with life in prison without possibility of parole. This bill is still waiting for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee. We’ll let you know when to take action! 

No HB 168, HB 251, and SB 89 – Attacks on unions

These bills attack the freedom of workers to belong to unions, have union dues subtracted from their paychecks, and work through union representatives to negotiate wages and benefits. You can read more about the problems with these bills in an editorial from the Montana AFL-CIO here .

The language implies that union membership is coerced, and the restrictions these bills enact represent government overreach and an assault on the freedom of speech. Public and private sector workers like nurses, educators, police, and state troopers who protect, serve, educate, and care for Montana citizens deserve to have the freedom to organize without burdensome restrictions.

We’re proud to stand with our allied union members to fight these attempts to limit their rights. It’s important to remember that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights lists forming and joining unions as a fundamental human right.

Action items

• HB 168 had a hearing before the House Business and Labor Committee. Please contact that committee and tell your representative NO on HB 168.
  
  

• HB 251 The Montana Human Rights Network opposes this bill because “Right to Work” laws harm working families. Studies show that states with such policies have lower wages, higher rates of household poverty, and increased levels of consumer debt. “Right to Work” only benefits large corporations at the expense of workers. This bill had a hearing in the House Business and Labor Committee on Tuesday, February 16. Please contact that committee and tell them NO.
  
  

• SB 89 would revise laws related to collection of union dues. This bill passed out of the Senate State Administration Committee, so please contact your senator and say NO.

  Questions about these bills or the legislative process? Email cherilyn@mhrn.org.