Government

News from Upper Seven Law HELENA — A federal district court in Helena issued a temporary restraining order on Friday, July 28, ensuring that Montana Pride events will go forward without disruption or fear of liability beginning July 30. A diverse group of plaintiffs—including a public-school teacher, an advocate for trans rights, businesses, theaters, and nonprofit organizations—challenged House Bill 359 (“HB 359”). By prohibiting a wide range of expression, including dressing flamboyantly in libraries and revealing prosthetic cleavage, the law is not only discriminatory but also wildly vague and over broad. Indeed, the City of Helena expressed concerns...

News from the Dept. of Labor and Industry HELENA — Montana reached its 20th consecutive month of unemployment below 3 percent in June, according to data compiled by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Montana Department of Labor & Industry. Since Governor Greg Gianforte was elected,...

News from the office of Governor Gianforte HELENA — On July 13 Governor Greg Gianforte submitted a System Operational Request to the Columbia River Technical Management Team (TMT) to address low water levels in Flathead Lake. The governor noted that, in accordance with TMT guidelines, TMT membe...

News from OPI HELENA — Following collaboration with Tribal leaders in Montana, Superintendent Arntzen submitted newly proposed rules on the Montana Indian Language Preservation (MILP) program to the Montana Secretary of State. During the 68th legislative session, HB 287, sponsored by Representativ...

News from the office of Governor Gianforte HELENA — Joining Representative Tom Welch, R-Dillon, Governor Greg Gianforte this week celebrated a new law which provides Montana homeowners up to $1,350 in property tax rebates over the next two years. “Property taxes are too high, which is why...

News from MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks HELENA — A draft environmental assessment (EA) of the 2023 Draft Elk Management Plan is now available for public review and comment. The draft EA is available on FWP’s website at: fwp.mt.gov/public-notices/news/2023/jun/0630-2023-draft-elk-managemen...

News from USDA  WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages urban producers, innovative producers and other stakeholders to submit comments for and virtually attend a public meeting of the Federal Advisory Committee for Urban Agriculture and Innovative Production (Commit...

News from the MT State Legislature HELENA — The State-Tribal Relations Interim Committee (STRC) will hold its first meeting of the interim beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 19, in Room 137 of the Montana Capitol and via Zoom. The committee will elect officers and chart its course for the inte...

News from Secretary Christi Jacobsen HELENA — Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen announced last week that new business registrations in Montana surged again in June 2023. Roughly 5,300 new businesses were registered with the Secretary of State’s Office, easily surpassing the approximately ...

News from U.S. Department of the Interior WASHINGTON — On June 6, the Department of the Interior launched a new interactive map to track the over $7.3 billion invested so far from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in over 1,300 projects nationwide. The tool is the first of its ...