Political
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Familiar names vie for Libby county commissioner seat
Libby area Republicans will pick between two men with plenty of previous experience as local elected officials to …
Bill to deregulate accessory dwellings dies in Montana Senate
Despite bipartisan support, a bill that would prohibit cities and counties from limiting construction of accessory dwelling units appears unlikely to advance after its first hearing before a Montana legislative com…
Gianforte signs bill banning sanctuary cities in Montana
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a bill Wednesday banning sanctuary cities in the state, despite the fact that Montana does not currently have any sanctuary cities.
Election integrity a hot topic in Helena
Amid the slew of bills that have cycled through Montana’s legislative chambers this year, state Sen. Cuffe (R-Eureka) said there’s one issue that has dominated…
Vaccine passports are latest flash point in COVID politics
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Vaccine passports being developed to verify COVID-19 immunization status and allow inoculated people to more freely travel, shop and din…
State lawmakers target local COVID rules from all angles
Since the start of Montana's legislative session, Republican state lawmakers have considered a variety of novel ways to limit how local governments can respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Proposal to add guns to Montana state flag fails
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A proposal to change the Montana state flag to prominently feature firearms failed Friday to pass a vote by the state House, after a Repub…
Legislature passes bill to require trapper education course
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The Montana Legislature has passed a bill to require a trapper education course for most people before they purchase a license to trap animals.
Tester, Daines push for National Asbestos Awareness Week in April
Montana’s U.S. senators are pushing a resolution that would again designate the first week in April as National Asbestos Awareness Week.
Montana Senate moves bill to end same-day voter registration
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana's Senate is moving forward with a bill to end same-day voter registration.
Congress OKs $1.9T virus relief bill in win for Biden, Dems
WASHINGTON (AP) — A Congress riven along party lines has approved the landmark $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, as President Joe Biden and Democrats claimed…
Cuffe deems voter ID bill as one of the most important of his career
State Sen. Mike Cuffe (R-Eureka) never thought he would carry legislation like Senate Bill 169. But when presenting the act, which would revise voter identific…
Gunderson tackles CWD, e-bikes and oversight committees among other issues at state Legislature
State Rep. Steve Gunderson (R-Libby) likened his experience at this year’s legislative session to juggling running chainsaws. “I’ve got so many irons in the fire,” said the third-term representative during a Feb.…
Daines votes to acquit; Tester votes to convict
Montana’s two senators voted along party lines Saturday in former President Trump’s impeachment trial.
Ban on insurance coverage for abortion considered
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The Montana House Judiciary Committee on Friday advanced a bill that would ban the coverage of abortion procedures by health insurance plans offered through the state exchange.
Bill would limit rulemaking by local health boards
HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The Montana House is considering a bill that would make decisions by local health boards in response to crises subject to approval by elec…