Montana Legislature Passes Bills to Support Future Nuclear Energy Development
Two bills aimed at laying the groundwork for a nuclear energy industry in Montana have passed the state legislature and are waiting for the governor’s signature. House Bill 623 would permit the establishment of nuclear waste storage facilities in the state. House Bill 676 would authorize the construction of uranium enrichment and processing facilities in Montana. They are seen as important steps toward preparing Montana for future nuclear energy projects as the state transitions away from coal.
One year nearly 900 investigations: Tech-based child sex abuse on rise in Montana
Tech-based child sex abuse is on the rise in Montana with the state’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force receiving nearly 3,000 Cyber tips relayed to it last year alone. In 2024 task force members searched 460 devices during their 869 investigations and combed through over 182 terabytes of data. The most popular apps for predators to use are TikTok and Instagram.
Montana Legislature Revives Gianforte’s Property Tax Relief Proposal
As the Montana Legislature enters its final two weeks Governor Greg Gianforte’s property tax relief proposal has been revived in Senate Bill 542 which passed a Senate reconsideration motion. It targets out-of-state property owners limiting the tax shift onto business properties. The plan aims to lower taxes on primary residences and long-term rentals while raising them on secondary homes and short-term rentals like Airbnb.
Montana’s Median Income Trails Behind All Neighboring States
Montana’s household median income is $70,800 almost $7,000 below the national average and also below all of our neighboring states. The closest household median income to Montana is South Dakota with a median household income of $71,800. The highest median income is found in North Dakota at $76,500.
Montana argues in lawsuit that Yellowstone bison are a “more significant risk” than elk
Judge Brian Morris is considering several motions in a lawsuit filed by the state against the federal government and Yellowstone National Park over its 2024 bison management plan that got its first court hearing last week in Butte. Environmental groups and tribes with treaty rights have argued for allowing the bison greater room to roam on adjoining national forest lands like other wildlife in the state. Montana officials want bison contained as close to the park as possible to restrict the spread of brucellosis a disease that can cause ungulates to abort and affects the shipment of live cattle to other states.
Montana Legislature preempting education study bills for next session.
As the 2025 legislative session is set to end two weeks from today lawmakers are moving to set themselves up for next session with a series of bills that would start studies analyzing the efficacy of public-school programs like special education media literacy school safety and counselors. Four separate bills passed committee with close to zero opposition and are now in the full House for debate.
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Seventy-five new officers who will serve in 40 agencies across the state have graduated from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy within the Montana Department of Justice. The academy provides basic and advanced training for state county city and tribal law enforcement officers throughout the state. The latest class was the largest to graduate in the history of the academy.
The Montana Legislature has approved a bill that will increase the base license fee for nonresidents to $100. The 566% increase is expected to bring in an additional $7.2 million in revenue $6.8 million of which will be allocated to the state’s block management program. It provides financial incentives for landowners to allow hunters on their property.
According to Home Gnome dot com which analyzed the best states for living off grid Montana ranks ninth and would have ranked higher if it weren’t for the climate. Montana ranked highest in feasibility because there are already people who are successfully living off grid in Montana.
Applications are being accepted for the Big Sky State Games Character Counts Scholarships and are available at high school counselor offices statewide but the deadline to apply is May 2nd. They are available to high school juniors during the 2024-2025 school year who have participated in the State Games.
