After the voters approved its legalization statewide, recreational marijuana is due to become state law at the start of the new year. State Senator Shane Morgieau recently reflected on working out the law’s details this year on Voices of Montana. https://northernbroadcasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/12-30_537.mp3
Montana Set To Legalize Recreational Marijuana Jan. 1
With legal recreational marijuana sales to begin Saturday in Montana knowing what you can possess is important. A person is allowed up to 1 ounce of marijuana. Possession of more than 1 but less than 2 ounces could mean a possible $500 fine for a third or subsequent offense. Possession of any greater amount remains a felony as it was before th...
AG Knudsen Weighs In On Upcoming Supreme Court Hearing On Vaccine Mandates
It’s been announced the U.S. Supreme Court will hear legal challenges in the new year to the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has joined other attorneys general in blocking them and recently on Voices of Montana shared what he thinks the justices should ultimately consider. https://north...
Yellowstone Club Founder Seeking Millions In Bankruptcy Damages
Yellowstone Club co-founder Tim Blixseth is asking a U.S. Bankruptcy Court to award him attorney fees and compensation for damages that he claims total nearly $300 million. In June a U.S. bankruptcy judge upheld court decisions that the state of Montana lacked legal standing to file an involuntary bankruptcy petition nearly a decade ago agains...
Public Comment Available For Next Year’s Hunting Districts
Proposed adjustments to hunting district boundaries season structures and license and permit types in 2022-2023 hunting regulations are out for public comments until January 21st. Biennial season-setting occurs every other year and covers most hunted wildlife species excluding wolves and furbearers. The changes are part of an effort by the de...
School Donors Eligible For New Tax Credits Next Year
Beginning January 3rd donors who support innovative education in public schools or private school scholarships can get dollar-for-dollar tax credits before a statewide $1 million cap is reached. Any Montana taxpayer estate or business may donate up to $200,000 for the Innovative Education Program tax credit or Student Scholarship Organization ...
Public Service Commission To Lower Power Rates Year
The Montana Public Service Commission has approved lower rates effective January 1st for its residential electric customers of NorthWestern Energy, cutting the average yearly bill $21.12. Natural gas customers will see a decrease in their yearly bill by $13.56. Residential electric customers of Montana Dakota Utilities will see an annual reduc...
Montana’s Minimum Wage Set To Increase Next Week
The minimum wage in Montana will increase to $9.20 an hour starting January 1st from the current $8.75. In 2006, Montana residents voted to adjust the rate for inflation each year and because of this, the minimum wage rate in Montana could increase each year depending on inflation. State lawmakers continue to review new bills aimed to increase...
Madison River To Keep Walking Sections, Lose Rest/Rotation Rule
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission has approved two rule changes concerning recreational and commercial use on the Madison River. They’ll keep the walking sections from Quake Lake to Lyons Bridge and Ennis Bridge to Ennis Lake in place but repealed a rule establishing a rest/rotation system for commercial use on the river. Before voting ...
Montana Likely To See More Apprenticeships In 2022
The Montana Department of Labor and Industry has proposed an increase in the number of apprentices that can be assigned to a single supervisor in trade settings. Governor Greg Gianforte has endorsed the proposal in tying the timing of the ratio change because of Montana’s growing need for housing and to federal investments in broadband infrast...