Celebrating 20 Years of Smoke-Free Spaces in Montana
Twenty years ago, in 2005, Montana lawmakers passed the Clean Indoor Air Act, declaring that everyone—from bartenders and cocktail waitresses to the night-shift fry cook—deserves clean, smoke-free air. As vaping and marijuana began appearing in public spaces, state lawmakers updated the definition of smoking to include electronic smoking devices, most recently through Senate Bill 390, which was signed into law this year.
Gianforte Required to ‘Reside’ in Helena, Claims Homestead Tax Exemption for Bozeman Property
Governor Greg Gianforte has claimed a homestead tax exemption on his home on the outskirts of Bozeman. The exemption requires the property be occupied as a “principal residence” under a tax law the governor signed earlier this year. A pending Department of Revenue rule would create an exception to the occupancy requirement for residents who are absent from their homes for work assignments.
Unemployment Insurance Reforms Result in $23 Million in Savings for Montana Businesses
Montana businesses will see a reduction in unemployment insurance tax rates in 2026 following the implementation of recent reforms, resulting in savings of more than $23 million. In 2026, 32,873 employers will see a tax rate reduction of 0.20 percent for all experience-rated employers, and more than 7,100 employers will receive a zero percent tax rate. Individual employers will begin receiving their 2026 tax rate classification letters this week.
Montana Secretary of State Refers Allegations of ‘Double Voting’ to Federal Prosecutors
Montana’s Secretary of State’s Office has referred three alleged instances of “double voting” to federal prosecutors. The term typically refers to an individual voting twice within the state in the same election, or voting in the same election in two different states. One of the individuals appears to have voted in both Montana and New York during the same election.
Blackfeet Nation Declares State of Emergency Due to Flooding
The Blackfeet Tribal Business Council has declared a state of emergency in response to severe flooding in the area. Officials say hazardous conditions exist throughout the Blackfeet Reservation, and many families have been displaced. The emergency declaration will remain in effect until the Tribal Business Council determines that emergency conditions have been addressed.
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A federal judge has halted a 16,500-acre logging project in the Custer Gallatin National Forest. Judge Donald Molloy ruled that the U.S. Forest Service submitted plans that made it impossible to determine how the project would affect critical grizzly bear habitat, saying the plans amounted to granting permission now and trusting compliance later.
Seventeen Helena residents are seeking appointment to the Queen City’s soon-to-be vacant City Commission seat. The opening will occur when Commissioner Emily Dean becomes mayor on January 1. The selected appointee will serve until November 2, 2027, and may then run to retain the position.
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has been elected chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association by his GOP colleagues. The second-term Montana Republican will lead the organization as it prepares for 30 attorney general races nationwide in 2026.
Five sculptures were installed at Silver Park earlier this fall as the debut of Sculpture Missoula, a new public-private art program. Public online voting has opened for a People’s Choice Award. The winner is “Grand Lady,” a bronze Labrador by Bozeman artist Ott Jones, who will receive a $1,000 cash prize.
Thanks to the Rotary Club of Polson, approximately 400 free dictionaries have been distributed to third-grade classrooms from Arlee to Dayton in recent weeks. The nationwide Dictionary Project began in 1992 in Savannah, Georgia, when a woman donated 50 dictionaries to a local school. Within 10 years, the program expanded to all 50 states.
