180 bills signed into law so far this legislative session

By Cole Grant/UM Legislative News Service

HELENA - Montana Governor Steve Bullock has signed nearly 180 bills into law so far this legislative session, on issues ranging from water rights to foster care.

Rep. Kimberly Dudik, D-Missoula, had a bill of hers signed Monday that would give foster kids 14 years or older more of a say in their living situation until they hit 18. House Bill 351 overwhelmingly passed the House and Senate.

“I feel great about it,” Dudik said. “It was a good step in the right direction, and it’s been really great seeing the bipartisan support for these issues, and for children in our state.”

Dudik has had half a dozen of her bills signed into law during this year’s Legislature.

More than a thousand House and Senate bills have been introduced this session, with nearly half of those either tabled or probably dead.

The Montana Legislature has about a dozen scheduled days left in session.

Cole Grant is a reporter with the UM Legislative News Service, a partnership of the University of Montana School of Journalism, the Montana Broadcasters Association and the Greater Montana Foundation.