Austin Amestoy

Mobile home parks are one of the last strongholds of affordable housing in Montana, helping people of a wide range of incomes become homeowners, even as prices for most other residence types continue to spike. 

House Bill 115, sponsored by Rep. Bill Mercer, R-Billings, would increase fines and jail time for fifth and subsequent DUI convictions -- up to $10,000 and 25 years in prison for a seventh conviction.

Jim Edwards, the owner of Pattee Creek Market in Missoula, said his business adapted, putting up plastic screens and increasing cleaning. But he said ordering his employees to enforce a mask mandate for his customers crossed a line.

All three Montana legislators under the age of 25 - Rep. Malleri Stromswold, Rep. Braxton Mitchell of Columbia Falls and Rep. Katie Zolnikov of Billings - are Republican. But they also have a Libertarian streak.

With a large class of freshman lawmakers, a new face in the governor’s office and especially, a different budget situation, some of the bills’ supporters worry about keeping the legislative momentum going.