Montana set another record with 60 firearms seized at airport security checkpoints across the state last year. In 2023 TSA officers detected 59 guns during routine passenger screenings statewide. Congress first enacted legislation to prohibit accessible weapons aboard aircraft in 1961 decades before TSA was created to help secure the nation’s transportation system in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Attorney General Austin Knudsen has banned the use of the China-based artificial intelligence platform DeepSeek on all Montana Department of Justice devices and its employees may not use DeepSeek for any governmental purpose. According to Knudsen the devices pose security risks making information shared by its users available to the Chinese government. DeepSeek is also linked to China Mobile which has close ties to the Chinese military and has been sanctioned by the U.S. government.
The Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE has cut a $6 million grant to the University of Montana’s Mansfield Center for two more years of democracy and civic engagement. The programs included funding leadership experiences for high schoolers creating opportunities for community engagement exchanges between urban and rural youth and developing civics education curriculum for high school teachers.
Lawmakers are at the transmittal point of Montana’s 69th legislative session when general bills must be transmitted to the other chamber and appropriations bills can no longer be requested. Members of the Montana House and Senate will soon be able to go back homes and listen to their constituents’ comments about progress being made so far and wish lists for the remainder of the 90-day session.
Government funds to address homelessness in Montana amount to more than $4.2 million per year in federal and state funds. House Bill 310 to appropriate $2 million for Montana homeless shelters has been tabled in the House Appropriations Committee. There has been a large increase in their need recently mainly due to the increase in housing costs.
Senate Bill 490 which is set to be heard on the Senate floor after passing its initial committee vote would allow people to register to vote until the end of the day on the Friday before or on the Saturday before election day and until noon on election day. Voters would not be able to register the day before election day. Currently Montanans can register to vote up to noon the day before election day and until polls close on election day.
The Montana Public Service Commission announced the hiring of its new executive director Alana Lake Tuesday. Her duties include planning directing managing and supervising the day-to-day internal operations of the department carrying out the adopted plans and policies of the Commission and overseeing the agency’s public affairs.
The Montana Senate has passed Senate Bill 224 officially recognizing Indigenous Peoples Day affirming the state’s commitment to honoring the history culture and contributions of Indigenous communities across Big Sky Country. The bill now moves on to the Montana House of Representatives for consideration.
The Reach Higher Montana’s sticker contest is now accepting applicants for two $1,500 two $1,000 and two $500 scholarships for higher education from students using their creativity. They can get more information and enter on Reach Higher Montana’s website by March 31st. Winning stickers will be decided by popular vote but the judges will select three of their favorites not voted as winners to win $500 scholarships.
The Marcus Street Safety Improvement Project to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility in downtown Hamilton is tentatively set to begin in spring 2026. The project is primarily being funded by the Montana Department of Transportation’s Transportation Alternatives Program. A new curb/gutter system will also be established to better separate the new route from traffic.
