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State judge allows 2025-2026 wolf hunting and trapping regulations to stand
FWP is in the wolf management hot seat
legislative news
EPA clears Montana’s environmental regulator to loosen water quality standards
Montana Moves Closer to Statewide Wolf Quota
Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission moves closer to statewide wolf quota
NEWS BRIEFS
State Supreme Court strikes down 2021 abortion restrictions
Legislature advances bills loosening water quality standards
Two bills seeking to roughly halve Montana’s wolf population pass out of committee
Colstrip, climate and electricity rates loom large in utility board race
Environmental groups sue USFWS over its decision not to restore federal protections for Northern Rockies wolves
Abortion restrictions struck down by state court
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LEGISLATIVE NEWS
SOS files opening argument in 2021 election laws appeal
After getting three deadline extensions over the past four months, Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen finally filed her opening argument in an appeal to the Montana Supreme Court to reinstate election laws passed by the 2021 Legislature.
Federal judge strikes down Montana vaccine choice law in health settings
A federal judge in the U.S. District of Montana ruled Friday that Montana’s law barring discrimination based on vaccine status is unconstitutional and preempted by federal law as applied to healthcare settings, bringing a resolution to the protracted lawsuit filed against House Bill 702 by Montana hospitals, private medical providers, unionized nurses and immunocompromised patients.
New sex ed law ensnares English and history lessons, too
School districts across the state have spent months consulting with attorneys and retooling policies to ensure they are in compliance with Senate Bill 99, passed in 2021. The law requires parents to be notified at least 48 hours in advance about lessons related to sexual education, as well as other topics, including anatomy, intimate relationships, sexual orientation, gender identity,…
Environmentalists challenge Montana wolf regulations in state court
In the Oct. 27 lawsuit, the groups argue that Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission have violated the Montana Constitution as well as state and federal laws in their management of gray wolves.
Court administrator says Legislature ‘misstates the facts, cries foul’
Attorneys for Montana Court Administrator Beth McLaughlin urged the U.S. Supreme Court not to take up the legal case spawned from the nearly year-long dispute between the Republican-led state Legislature and the Montana Supreme Court.
Gianforte sides with Republican legislators in criticizing state judiciary
In a legal brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday, Gov. Greg Gianforte joined the ranks of Republican state officials criticizing Montana judges for conduct during last year’s legislative session and for ruling against subpoenas from the Republican-led Legislature seeking the court’s records.
Judge blocks abortion laws while case proceeds
A Yellowstone County District Court judge has blocked three abortion restrictions from taking effect while the case about their constitutionality proceeds. The ruling from Judge Michael Moses came a week after he issued a temporary restraining order in the same case prohibiting the state from enforcing the bills for 10 days following their Oct. 1…
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