Montana tribes, nonprofits sue over voting laws
Contested bills end same-day voter registration and restrict ballot collection efforts
MTN News file
Posted at 9:25 AM, May 18, 2021
and last updated 2021-05-18 11:25:53-04
Montana tribes and two nonprofits are suing the Secretary of State over two bills they say unconstitutionally infringe on Native Americansâ ability to vote in Montana.
The bills being challenged are House Bill 176 and part of House Bill 530, which would respectively end late voter registration on Election Day and put restrictions on ballot collections, a popular tool for Get Out the Vote efforts. Both bills have been signed into law.
Montana tribes, nonprofits sue over voting laws
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The bills Governor Gianforte signed include:
HB 230 Matt Regier (R - Kalispell) An act generally revising emergency and disaster laws; limiting the length of time for martial rule without legislative approval
HB 249 Matt Regier (R - Kalispell) An act allowing for limited electronic advertising of marijuana and medical marijuana
HB 318 Kenneth Holmlund (R - Miles City) An act revising wild buffalo and wild bison laws
HB 330 Llew Jones (R - Conrad) An act generally revising laws related to budget stabilization and the budget stabilization reserve fund
HB 340 Wylie Galt (R - Martinsdale) An act generally revising the Montana economic development industry advancement act film tax incentives
The bills include:
HB 66 Rep. Terry Moore (R â Billings) Reauthorize securities restitution fund
HB 112 Rep. John Fuller (R - Whitefish) Require interscholastic athletes to participate under sex assigned at birth
HB 233 Rep. Fred Anderson (R - Great Falls) Revise funding for students with disabilities
HB 247 Rep. Marta Bertoglio (R â Clancy) Revise motor vehicle fleet registration
HB 257 Rep. Jedediah Hinkle (R â Belgrade) Revise laws relating to government mandates and businesses
HB 273 Rep. Derek Skees (R â Kalispell) Eliminate restrictions on nuclear facility development
HB 336 Rep. Brandon Ler (R â Savage) Interstate cooperative meatpacking compact
HB 426 Rep. Dennis Lenz (R - Billings) Revise laws regarding interactions between DPHHS and child and family ombudsman
Legislators and lobbyists have packed up and headed out of Helena, but the work of the 67th Montana Legislature is not yet complete. Governor Greg Gianforte has up to ten business days to sign, veto or ignore the bills that have reached his desk to determine the full fate of the session.
Still, itâs safe to say the 2021 Montana Legislative Session was favorable for Montanaâs farmers and ranchers. Of the 69 bills we tracked closely which were tied directly to member-generated policy, around 50 have reached their final destinations in our favor so far. Hereâs a rundown of the biggest victories for Montana agriculture, according to our Farm Bureau membersâ policy.
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