Legislature

A bill in the Montana Legislature would ask voters to decide whether the Montana Constitution should establish hunting, fishing and trapping as “a right essential to pursuing life’s basic necessities.” Senate Bill 236 would also add that fish and wildlife management and conservation efforts would have to be done for scientific reasons, or if they protect people or property from threats or harm associated with fish or wildlife.

A bill that would make it illegal to discriminate against anyone based on their gender identity or expression or sexual orientation will have a hearing at the Montana Legislature Wednesday. “All we’re saying is that you don’t get to single out people and deny them the rights that the rest of us have because you don’t like something about them,” said Rep. Kelly McCarthy, D-Billings, who’s carrying House Bill 417.

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow full-time school employees with concealed carry permits to carry handguns on school grounds. House Bill 385 would create the Montana Safe Schools Act.

A bill in the Montana Legislature would allow producers to sell food out of their own kitchens, either directly to customers, or for community social events, like weddings or potlucks. Rep. Greg Hertz, R-Polson, is carrying House Bill 352, or the Montana Local Food Choice Act.

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would include foster children in the conversation about their future living situation as they age out of foster care programs. House Bill 351 would allow foster children 14 years and older to be involved in this process, and affords them more rights while in the program.

Montana farmers may soon face fewer regulations when it comes to diversifying their farm’s income if three bills in the Montana Legislature find enough support. One bill, House Bill 325 would legalize the direct sale of raw milk. Another, House Bill 352, would allow farmers to sell food from their own kitchens and a third bill would give them less liability when their farmland is used for tourism purposes.

On Week 6 of the 2017 session, Montana legislators took testimony and votes on everything from a proposed voter ID law to abolition of the death penalty and rebranding of Columbus Day as Montana Heritage Day. We've got those stories and more in this week's legislative roundup.

A little less than half of the Americans who complete suicide visited their primary care providers within a month of their death, according to Montana’s Suicide Mortality Review Team’s 2016 report. A bill is working its way through the Montana Legislature that would make it mandatory for health care providers to complete training in order to recognize signs a person is considering suicide, including nonverbal cues.

A bill in the Montana Senate would double the wine tax in an effort to boost revenue in the state as it faces a budget shortfall. “With a minor increase, we create the opportunity to prevent deeper cuts to our schools, our communities, and essential services,” said Sen. Lea Whitford, D-Cut Bank, who’s carrying Senate Bill 191.

Montana lawmakers heard testimony on a bill Thursday that would create a fund to give workers paid family or medical leave from their job. Rep. Jenny Eck, D-Helena, is carrying House Bill 392, or the Montana Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act.