UM News

Dems support state budget; GOP says is overspends
Seventy-seven days into the 90-day session, the Legislature has passed just one property tax reform bill, Senate Bill 117, to the governor.

Legislature look to study special ed, media literacy, counseling
The effort would start studies analyzing the efficacy of public-school programs like special education, media literacy, school safety and counselors.

Montana measure to boost teacher pay nears final stretch
To qualify for funding in the coming fiscal year, districts would have to pay educators a salary that is at least 62% of 2025’s average teacher pay.

Alternative property tax bill inches forward
Senate Bill 117 would require local governments to roll 25% of newly taxable residential property value into reducing rates.

Bill would provide PTSD treatment for emergency responders
First responders could have treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder covered under workers’ compensation if a bill in the Montana Legislature passes.

Montana’s budget the backbone of state policy
The current version sits at around $16.6 billion in spending, with a large portion going toward healthcare and education.

Measure defining sex as binary advances in Montana
The House gave preliminary approval Friday to a bill that would define sex as binary in Montana law after emotional testimony from lawmakers.

UM earns national No. 1 ‘Military Friendly’ rank
A national organization recently named the University of Montana the No. 1 “Military Friendly” college in the United States.

Montana Senate debates voter residency requirements
The measure would tighten residency requirements for voters, which proponents say will make sure that each county’s voters are a permanent part of the community.

Legislator seeks constitutional amendment defining personhood
A bill that would ask voters to vote on a constitutional amendment to define personhood as starting at conception sparked contentious debate in the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday.