Attorney General Knudsen: Fentanyl seizures decrease felony arrests drug seizures increase in 2024
Law enforcement in Montana continues to dismantle and disrupt drug trafficking organizations. Attorney General Austin Knudsen has announced authorities seized less fentanyl and made more drug-related felony arrests including Mexican drug cartel members in 2024 compared to 2023. Verified fentanyl linked deaths also decreased in 2024. The State Crime Lab has preliminarily reported 55 overdose deaths involving fentanyl. In 2023 there were 80.
Senate Bill 359 aims to prohibit distracted driving related to mobile devices in Montana
Chris Dorington, Director of the Montana Department of Transportation, spoke before the House Judiciary Committee in support of Senate Bill 359 which now moves to the House Floor for debate. On Friday Dorington gave some statistics of accidents related to distracted driving.
Chris Dorington Audio
Senate Bill 359 aims to prohibit distracted driving related to mobile devices in Montana. It requires drivers to use hands-free devices and bans the use of portable electronic devices while operating a vehicle. Violators face civil penalty fines of $75-$149 for the first offense and $150-$250 for subsequent offenses.
Montana Lawmakers Debate Kratom Regulation Amid Health Concerns and Market Chaos
Montana’s House Bill 407, dubbed the “Kratom Consumer Protection Act,” had its first hearing Tuesday. Lawmakers, officials, and lobbyists debated regulating kratom, a Southeast Asian plant sold in gas stations and vape shops. Proponents cited its benefits as an opioid alternative, while opponents highlighted addiction risks. The bill proposes age restrictions and product regulations. Amendments and potential taxes were discussed, but no vote was taken.
Montana resolution backing Utah’s push to take control of federal lands receives backlash
The House Energy Technology and Federal Relations committee heard discussions on a joint resolution earlier this week that would have Montana support Utah’s efforts to move some federal land into state hands. The U-S Supreme Court declined to hear the case in January but the suit could be refiled. A petition against the resolution garnered almost 3,000 signatures online. There was no vote during the meeting.
Gianforte signs landmark judicial reform bill
Governor Greg Gianforte has signed landmark judicial reform legislation into law aimed at safeguarding the Montana State Legislature’s authority to enact laws. House Bill 409 strengthens existing limitations on Montana courts’ ability to enjoin laws passed by the Legislature. The bill passed the Montana House of Representatives with a vote of 57 to 42 and the Montana State Senate with a vote of 31 to 18.
Proposed bill would give tax break to long-time Montana residents
State legislators gave House Bill 839 its first reading Tuesday. It provides a $500 tax credit for property owners who have resided in the state for 10 years and have an annual income of less than $100,000. They must have lived in Montana for at least seven months of each year to qualify.
Montana schools face uncertainty over federal funding changes
Educators are grappling with uncertainty following President Trump’s recent executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education. The order seeks to redirect federal funding to state and local levels impacting financial aid Pell Grants and services for first-generation students. State Superintendent of Public Instruction Susie Hedalen has been communicating with school superintendents about the events that are occurring in Washington.
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Kristin Bail is being named acting regional forester for the Northern Region effective Monday. She will temporarily succeed Regional Forester Leanne Marten who has planned to retire after 34 years of service. Bail will oversee management of nine national forests and one national grassland within Montana Idaho and North Dakota.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Montana has announced the appointment of Kurt Alme as interim U.S. Attorney for Montana. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Alme to the post where he replaces Jesse Laslovich who served in the role from 2022 until his departure earlier this year. Alme will serve on an interim basis for 120 days or until a Presidential nominee has been confirmed by the Senate.
Billings Clinic and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana have jointly announced a 15-day extension of their medical reimbursement rates contract. Originally scheduled to expire Monday it will now run through April 15th as negotiations continue. The negotiations affect about 40,000 Blue Cross Blue Shield household customers in Montana who use Billings Clinic the state’s largest hospital for medical care.
Senate Bill 297 working its way through the Montana Legislature would close loopholes in the Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act and strengthen online data protections for children over the age of 13.The bill would also close a loophole in Montana’s law that allows many financial institutions to be exempt from protections against data collection by specifying that only banks can be exempt from these regulations.
The C.M. Russell recent Western art auction in Great Falls brought in a record-breaking $9.16 million in sales. The auction known as “The Russell” not only achieved higher gross sales but also marked the largest sale of famed artist Charles M. Russell’s work and historic Western art in its 57-year history.
