Montana State Legislature
| Montana State Legislature | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | 2 terms (8 years) in Senate, 4 terms (8 years in House) |
| Session start: | No regular legislative session |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Jason Ellsworth (R) |
| House Speaker: | Matt Regier (R) |
| Majority Leader: | Senate: Steve Fitzpatrick (R) House: Sue Vinton (R) |
| Minority Leader: | Senate: Pat Flowers (D) House: Kim Abbott (D) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 50 (Senate), 100 (House) |
| Length of term: | 4 years (Senate), 2 years (House) |
| Authority: | Art V, Sec. 2, Montana Constitution |
| Salary: | $104.86/legislative day + per diem |
| Elections | |
| Last election: | November 8, 2022 |
| Next election: | November 5, 2024 |
| Redistricting: | Commission |
The Montana State Legislature is the state legislature of the state of Montana. It is composed of the 100-member Montana House of Representatives and the 50-member Montana State Senate.
The Montana Constitution dictates that the legislature meet only on odd numbered years, and for 90-day periods. However, the Legislature did meet annually from 1973 to 1975. The primary work of the legislature at these times is to pass a biannual budget that must then be approved by the Governor.
Montana enacted new legislative district boundaries after the 2020 census on February 22, 2023, when the Montana Districting & Apportionment Commission (MDAC) submitted its final plan to the secretary of state. The commission had voted 3-2 to approve the final plan on February 11, 2023. The two Democratic-appointed commissioners and the commission's chairperson—that the state supreme court appointed—voted to approve the plan. The two Republican-appointed commissioners voted against it. These districts will take effect for the 2024 elections. Click here for more information.
Montana has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.
Elections
2024
Elections for the Montana State Senate will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024. A primary is June 4, 2024. The filing deadline is March 11, 2024.
Elections for the Montana House of Representatives will take place in 2024. The general election is on November 5, 2024. A primary is June 4, 2024. The filing deadline is March 11, 2024.
2022
Elections for the Montana State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 7, 2022. The filing deadline was March 14, 2022.
Elections for the Montana House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for June 7, 2022. The filing deadline was March 14, 2022.
2020
Elections for the office of Montana State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 2, 2020. The filing deadline was March 9, 2020.
Elections for the office of Montana House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 2, 2020. The filing deadline was March 9, 2020.
In the 2020 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Montana House of Representatives from 58-42 to 67-33.
| Montana House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2020 | After November 4, 2020 | |
| Democratic Party | 42 | 33 | |
| Republican Party | 58 | 67 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | |
2018
Elections for the Montana State Senate took place in 2018. An open primary took place on June 5, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 12, 2018.[1]
Elections for the Montana House of Representatives took place in 2018. An open primary took place on June 5, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 12, 2018.[2]
2016
Elections for the Montana State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 14, 2016.
Elections for the Montana House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 14, 2016.
2014
Elections for the Montana State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014, and a general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for major party candidates wishing to run in this election was March 10, 2014; minor party and independent candidates had until June 2, 2014, to file.
Elections for the Montana House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 3, 2014, and a general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 10, 2014; minor party and independent candidates had until June 2, 2014, to file.
2012
Elections for the office of Montana State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 5, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 12, 2012.
Elections for the office of Montana House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on June 5, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was March 12, 2012.
2010
Elections for the office of Montana State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 8, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 15, 2010.
Elections for the office of Montana House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on June 8, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 15, 2010.
Sessions
Article V of the Montana Constitution establishes when the Legislature is to be in session. Section 6 of Article V states that the Legislature is to meet in every odd-numbered year in a regular session of at most ninety legislative days. However, Section 6 allows any Legislature to increase the limit on the length of any subsequent session. Section 6 also allows for the Legislature to meet in special session when convened by the Governor of Montana or when a special session is requested by a majority of the Legislature's members.
2024
- See also: Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions
In 2024, the legislature will not hold a regular session.
2023
In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 2, 2023, and adjourn on May 2, 2023.
| Click [show] for past years' session dates. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022
In 2022, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2021In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 4, 2021, and adjourn on April 29, 2021. 2020
In 2020, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2019In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 7, 2019, through April 25, 2019. 2018
In 2018, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2017
In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 2, 2017, through April 28, 2017. A special session to address the projected $227 million budget shortfall began on November 14. It ended on November 16. 2016
In 2016, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2015
In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 5 through April 28. Major issues in 2015Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included Medicaid expansion, funding for preschool programs, infrastructure, charter schools, and the Flathead Water Rights Compact.[3] Campaign finance regulation
On April 22, 2015, Gov. Steve Bullock (D) signed new campaign finance regulations requiring previously-anonymous groups to report campaign contributions in state elections. SB 289 requires disclosure from any group spending money on "electioneering communications" or contributing to candidates starting with the statewide election in 2016. The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Duane Ankney (R), passed the state House 51-48 and went to the governor's desk after a 30-20 vote in the state Senate. Eight Republican senators and 10 Republican members of the state House joined their Democratic colleagues to approve SB 289.[4][5] Ankney and state Sen. Frank Garner (R) joined Bullock during the bill signing on April 22. Garner was a vocal advocate for campaign finance regulation due to a run-in in early 2015 with Americans for Prosperity-Montana (AFP). The group sent postcards mobilizing residents of Garner's district to attend a town meeting following the legislator's refusal to sign an AFP pledge opposing Medicaid expansion. Ankney and Garner rallied Republican votes in the state Senate by highlighting the benefits of campaigning on regulating money from anonymous groups.[5] Bullock made the following statement about SB 289 during the signing ceremony:
The Montana Republican Party criticized Bullock for hypocrisy due to his role on the National Governors Association. A statement released by the party concluded, "Bullock only believes in transparency as long as he doesn’t have to tell Montanans where all his undisclosed, unlimited corporate cash is coming from."[5] 2014
In 2014, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2013
In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 7 to April 27. Major issues in 2013Major issues in the 2013 legislative session included economic development, increased natural resource development, and reforms to how the state funds education.[7] 2012
In 2012, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2011In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 3 through April 28.[8] 2010In 2010, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2009In 2009, the legislature was in session from January 5 through April 25. | ||||||
Role in state budget
- See also: Montana state budget and finances
Montana on 
|
The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[9]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies in April and August.
- Agencies submit their budget requests to the governor in June and September.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature by November 15. Governors-elect submit budget proposals by January 7.
- The legislature typically adopts a budget in April. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The biennium begins July 1.
Montana is one of 43 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.[9]
The governor is statutorily required to submit a balanced budget proposal. The legislature is constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget.[9]
Legislators
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2023 | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $104.86/legislative day | $171/day |
When sworn in
Montana legislators assume office the first Monday of January following the election. If a senator is elected to fill a vacancy, the term of service begins the day after the election.[10]
Senate
As of the 2020 Census, Montana state senators represented an average of 21,708 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 19,888 residents.
| Party | As of January 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 16 | |
| Republican Party | 34 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 50 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Republicans won control of the Montana State Senate in 2008. In 2022, they won a 34-16 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Montana Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Montana State Senate election results: 1992-2022
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 30 | 19 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 27 | 26 | 23 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 16 |
| Republicans | 20 | 31 | 34 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 23 | 24 | 27 | 28 | 27 | 29 | 32 | 30 | 31 | 34 |
House
As of the 2020 Census, Montana state representatives represented an average of 10,854 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 9,944 residents.
| Party | As of January 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 32 | |
| Republican Party | 68 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 100 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Republicans won control of the Montana House of Representatives in 2010. In 2022, they won a 68-32 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Montana House following every general election from 1992 to 2022. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Montana House of Representatives election results: 1992-2022
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 47 | 33 | 35 | 41 | 42 | 47 | 50 | 49 | 50 | 32 | 37 | 41 | 41 | 42 | 33 | 32 |
| Republicans | 53 | 67 | 65 | 59 | 58 | 53 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 68 | 63 | 59 | 59 | 58 | 67 | 68 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
District maps
State Senate
State House
Veto overrides
- See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures
State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Montana are listed below.
How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.
| Two-thirds of members present in both chambers must vote to override a veto. If all members are in attendance, this is 67 of the 100 members in the Montana House of Representatives and 34 of the 50 members in the Montana State Senate. Montana is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto. |
How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?
| According to Article VI, Section 10 of the Montana Constitution, if the governor vetoes a bill that had the support of at least two-thirds of members after adjournment, the secretary of state sends a notification by mail to legislators with instructions on how to override the veto. Members have 30 days to respond. |
Authority: Article VI, Section 10 of the Montana Constitution.
| "(2) The governor may return any bill to the legislature with his recommendation for amendment. If the legislature passes the bill in accordance with the governor's recommendation, it shall again return the bill to the governor for his reconsideration. The governor shall not return a bill for amendment a second time. (3) If after receipt of a veto message, two-thirds of the members of each house present approve the bill, it shall become law." |
History
Partisan balance 1992-2013
Montana State Senate: From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Montana State Senate for seven years while the Republicans were the majority for 15 years, including the last five years.
Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.
Montana State House of Representatives: From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Montana State House of Representatives for one year while the Republicans were the majority for 17 years, including the last five years.
Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.
The chart below shows the partisan composition of the Office of the Governor of Montana, the Montana State Senate and the Montana House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
.PNG)
SQLI and partisanship
- To read the full report on the State Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, click here.
The chart below depicts the partisanship of the Montana state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Montana had Republican trifectas from 1995-2004. Montana's lowest SQLI ranking, finishing at 41st, occurred during those Republican trifectas, from 1999-2001. The state's two highest rankings came in the final five years while under divided government.
Redistricting
- See also: Redistricting in Montana
Montana uses a non-politician commission for congressional and state legislative redistricting. This commission comprises five members. The majority and minority leaders of each chamber of the state legislature select one member a piece. These four members then select a fifth to serve as the commission's chair. If the first four commissioners are unable to agree on an appointment, the Montana Supreme Court may select the fifth member.[11]
The Montana Constitution requires that no commissioner be a public official. State statutes require that two of the first four commissioners "must be selected from certain counties (roughly, in the Montana Rockies to the west) and two must be selected from the rest of the state (to the east)."[11]
The state's Districting and Apportionment Commission must complete congressional redistricting within 90 days of receiving federal census data. It must prepare a legislative redistricting plan "by the 10th legislative day of the first regular session after the federal census results are available. The Legislature then has 30 days to make recommendations to the commission. Within 30 days of receiving the Legislature's recommendations, the commission must file the redistricting plan with the Secretary of State, and it becomes law. Although the commission may modify the plan to accommodate the Legislature's recommendations, it is not required to do so."[12]
The state constitution requires that districts be both contiguous and compact.[11]
| “ | The ... commission has stated that it may gauge compactness by looking to a district's general appearance, and the degree to which it fosters "functional compactness" through "travel and transportation, communication, and geography." The commission has similarly determined that it will, in drawing legislative districts, consider the boundary lines of political subdivisions (counties, cities, towns, school districts, Indian reservations, neighborhood commissions, and others); follow geographic boundaries; and consider keeping intact communities of interest (based on "Indian reservations, urban[, suburban, or rural] interests, . . . neighborhoods, trade areas, geographic location, communication and transportation networks, media markets, social, cultural and economic interests, or occupations and lifestyles").[6] | ” |
| —All About Redistricting | ||
2020
Montana enacted new legislative district boundaries after the 2020 census on February 22, 2023, when the Montana Districting & Apportionment Commission (MDAC) submitted its final plan to the secretary of state. The commission had voted 3-2 to approve the final plan on February 11, 2023. The two Democratic-appointed commissioners and the commission's chairperson—that the state supreme court appointed—voted to approve the plan. The two Republican-appointed commissioners voted against it. These districts will take effect for the 2024 elections.
The MDAC voted 3-2 to submit its final legislative district boundary proposal to the legislature on December 21, 2022. The commission's nonpartisan chairperson, Maylinn Smith, and two Democratic-appointed commissioners voted to approve the map, and the two Republican-appointed commissioners voted against it.[13] The legislature provided recommendations on the plan via a joint House-Senate resolution on February 2, 2023. The MDAC incorporated some, but not all, of the legislature's proposed amendments into the final plan.
Montana was the last state to enact legislative redistricting plans after the 2020 census. The state constitution requires that the redistricting commission submit legislative maps to the legislature so they can provide non-binding recommendations before they are enacted. Montana's legislature only meets in odd-numbered years and adjourned in April 2021, before U.S. Census data was delivered to the states on August 12, 2021.[14]
Shaylee Ragar of Montana Public Radio wrote that "According to data compiled by Democrats on the commission, the map could give Republicans a 20-seat advantage in the House and an 8-seat advantage in the Senate. It projects Democrats picking up a few seats currently held by Republicans."[15] Arren Kimbel-Sannit wrote in the Montana Free Press that, "In sum, the new maps could cost Republicans several seats while still leaving them a sizable majority that at least suggests the GOP’s dominance in recent elections."[16]
Click here to read the Montana Districting & Apportionment Commission's final report on the enacted legislative redistricting plan, including population and demographic figures by county and district.
State Senate map
Below is the state Senate map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.
Montana State Senate Districts
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Montana State Senate Districts
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
State House map
Below is the state House map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.
Montana State House Districts
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Montana State House Districts
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
2010
Following the 2010 United States Census, Montana did not add to its single congressional district, making congressional redistricting unnecessary. On August 17, 2012, the independent redistricting commission released a tentative state legislative district proposal. The commission submitted its final recommendations to the state legislature on January 8, 2013. After considering responses from the legislature, the commission produced its final redistricting plan on February 12, 2013.[11] The maps would not go into effect until the 2014 elections. The 2012 election were run using the maps drawn after the 2000 Census. [17]
Joint legislative committees
- See also: Public policy in Montana
There are six joint appropriations subcommittees between the House and the Senate:
- Education
- General Government
- Health and Human Services
- Judicial Branch, Law Enforcement, and Justice
- Long-Range Planning
- Natural Resources and Transportation
Constitutional amendments
In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.
The methods in which the Montana Constitution can be amended:
| Montana Constitution |
|---|
|
| Preamble |
| Articles |
| I • II • III • IV • V • VI • VII • VIII • IX • X • XI • XII • XIII • XIV • Schedule |
The Montana Constitution provides three mechanisms for amending the state's constitution—a citizen-initiated process, a legislative process, and a state constitutional convention. Montana requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.
Initiative
- See also: Initiated constitutional amendment
An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. There are 18 states that allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
In Montana, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. Montana also has a distribution requirement that requires proponents to collect signatures equal to 10% of the qualified electors in each of two-fifths (40) of the state's 100 legislative districts. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Legislature
A two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required of all members of the legislature during one legislative session for the Montana State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. Since Montana has 150 legislators (100 Representatives and 50 Senators), at least 100 members must vote in favor of a constitutional amendment for it to pass. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Convention
According to Section 3, Article XIV of the Montana Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years, if it has not otherwise appeared on the ballot in the last 20 years. Montana is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.
The table below shows the last and next constitutional convention question election years:
| State | Interval | Last question on the ballot | Next question on the ballot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | 20 years | 2010 | 2030 |
The Montana State Legislature is also authorized to submit a constitutional convention question to voters via a two-thirds (66.67%) vote of both chambers. Citizens may also initiate a constitutional convention question. The number of signatures required to place the question on the ballot is equal to 10% of the qualified electors of the state, including at least 10 percent of the qualified electors in each of two-fifths of the legislative districts. Any amendments proposed by a convention must be ratified by the voters.
2025 measures:
- See also: 2025 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures were certified for the ballot.
No measures to list
2024 measures:
Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2024 ballot by the legislature.
- See also: Montana 2024 ballot measures
Certified:
- The following measures were certified for the ballot.
No measures to list
See also
| Elections | Montana State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics |
|---|---|---|---|
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2018 Election Calendar," accessed June 22, 2017
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "2018 Election Calendar," accessed June 22, 2017
- ↑ Associated Press, "Montana Legislature: Top issues for 2015 session," January 22, 2015
- ↑ LegiScan, "MT SB289," accessed May 1, 2015
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 The Montana Standard, "Bullock signs campaign finance bill into law, forces 'dark money' groups to report," April 22, 2015
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Billings Gazette, " Legislature again prepare to debate divisive issues," January 6, 2013
- ↑ Montana Legislature, "2011 Regular Session," accessed June 2, 2014
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑ Montana Legislature, "Montana Code Annotated 2021 5-2-102," accessed February 2, 2023
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 All About Redistricting, "Montana," accessed April 29, 2015
- ↑ Montana State Legislature, "Districting and Apportionment Commission," accessed October 6, 2021
- ↑ Daily Montanan, "Redistricting Commission votes to send map to the legislature for recommendations," December 21, 2022
- ↑ Montana State Legislature, "Constitution of Montana -- Article V -- THE LEGISLATURE," accessed June 2, 2022
- ↑ Montana Public Radio, "Redistricting commission adopts final legislative maps," February 13, 2023
- ↑ Montana Free Press, "Explaining the why and the where of Montana’s new legislative districts," February 13, 2023
- ↑ The Missoulian, "Legislative redistricting panel gets look at new maps," February 17, 2012
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