By The 2025 Montana Legislature is in full swing, with high-stakes debates over bills that could transform the state and affect every Montanan.
This session began on January 6, and is scheduled to adjourn on May 3. Several significant bills in the Montana Legislature could impact daily life in the state. These developments reflect the Legislature’s focus this year on healthcare, social policies, and fiscal matters.
At the same time, these actions highlight the state’s responsiveness to broader national trends. As national conversations surrounding transgender rights, healthcare, and taxation evolve, Montana’s legislators adjust their approaches accordingly, ensuring that state policies align with or react to shifts in the national landscape.
With the legislative session ongoing, the budget and state spending will be a major focus in the coming weeks. Lawmakers will finalize how to allocate funds for schools, healthcare, infrastructure, and other state priorities.
The transgender bathroom bill and the bill regarding transgender athletes will continue to generate attention. As these bills move through the legislative process, they could face challenges, revisions, and possibly even legal action if they pass.
Ex. Rep. Zooey Zephyr, District 95 delivered a moving speech opposing Senate Bill 99, which sought to ban gender-affirming care for minors.
“If you are forcing a trans child to go through puberty when they are trans, that is tantamount to torture, and this body should be ashamed,” said Zephyr. “If you vote ‘yes’ on this bill and ‘yes’ on these amendments, I hope the next time there’s an invocation when you bow your heads in prayer, you see the blood on your hands.”
In response to Zephyr’s remarks, Montana House Republicans moved to censure her, citing a breach of decorum. On April 26, 2023, the House voted 68-32 to bar Zephyr from participating in floor debates for the remainder of the legislative session, though she retained the right to vote electronically.
This disciplinary action drew national attention, with many noting that the phrase “blood on your hands” has been used in political discourse without similar repercussions
In a significant move, Republican lawmakers in session aligned with Democrats to defeat two extreme anti-trans bills. The first bill aimed to ban drag performances and Pride parades, while the second sought to remove transgender children from their parents.
In other grand measures during the session, the legislature approved a bill expanding Medicaid . This will provide health coverage to over 76,000 residents. The bill maintains work requirements for some enrollees and now awaits Gov. Greg Gianforte’s signature.
Rep. Ed Buttrey, R-Great Falls, who sponsored the bill, emphasized the program’s importance, noting that more than 20,000 Montana businesses employed workers covered by Medicaid expansion.
“Those covered by the expansion are working, contributing members of the state,” said Buttrey.
He even addressed concerns about state spending by arguing against “worries about excessive state spending.”
The proposals have sparked lively debates, drawing national attention to Montana’s legislative decisions this year. The legislators discussed on transgender rights, healthcare, and taxation.
The session is set to bring significant changes, and the decisions made in the coming month will shape the state’s future, impacting our everyday life.
