US EditionSenate GOP split shaped Montana Legislature's 2025 session
- The Montana Legislature completed its 69th legislative session on May 1, 2025, after 85 working days, with Republicans holding a majority of 32 out of the 50 seats in the Senate.
- The session was shaped by a GOP intraparty split dating back to the 2024 primaries, causing a faction called 'The Nine' to align with Democrats on key legislation.
- Legislators passed over 800 bills, including a $16.6 billion state budget, property tax reform, and environmental law revisions responding to a climate lawsuit.
- Senate Majority Leader Tom McGillvray acknowledged compromises were necessary, while opponents criticized the property tax plan as mere tax rearrangement, and Governor Gianforte cited Supreme Court decision uncertainty.
- The session's outcomes reflect ongoing party divisions, bipartisan support for major bills, increased Democratic influence with 12 more seats, and sustained debates over judicial and tax reforms.
8 Articles
8 Articles
Amara usque in finem (to the bitter end)
Get an insider’s look into what’s happening in and around the halls of power with expert reporting, analysis and insight from the editors and reporters of Montana Free Press. Sign up to get the free Capitolized newsletter delivered to your inbox every Thursday. Sign up May 1, 2025Minutes after the 69th session of the Montana Legislature ended Wednesday, members of the Senate’s Republican majority stepp…
Montana legislative leaders react to end of 69th session
With the Montana Legislatures 69th session now officially at a close, leaders have been looking back at what they got done over the last four months.(Watch the video for more reactions to the end of the 2025 legislative session.) Legislative leaders react to end of 2025 sessionIn 85 working days, the Legislature ended up passing more than 800 bills, advancing them to Gov. Greg Gianfortes desk.We've handled more bills this session than any sessio…
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