Week 6: Legislative Session Update
HB 245, sponsored by Rep. Ed Buttrey, has been passed by the House, (63-37) and is now moving to the Senate! This is an exciting development and as a reminder, HB 245 would reauthorize Medicaid Expansion by removing the sunset clause, allowing nearly 80,000 Montanans to keep their healthcare. Please consider sending messages of support to the representatives who voted yes – you can do so here!
As we continue to weather attacks on our safety and dignity at the state level and new attacks from the federal level, it's more important than ever that we take care of each other and keep showing up for our ourselves and our communities! You know how best to take care of your mind, body, and spirit, but if you'd like some inspo, we recommend:
Drinking a glass of water
Doing something that brings you joy
(I love cuddling my cats and being in warm bodies of water!)
Resting regularly (sleep is supreme)
Asking for help when you need it
Lastly, our annual Policy Leadership Institute is this week and kicks off on Friday with a lobby day at the capitol! This is something we look forward to every year and we are so excited to see folks there! If you haven't registered, continue reading or visit catalystmt.org/pli.
Be sure to read more below about the bills we are tracking and how you can take action on the issues you care about.
In Solidarity,
Julia Maxon
Program Director
Take Action
It's going to take all of us to create a Montana where there is justice, safety, and dignity for all. This means that we need YOU to take contact your legislator this legislative session.
Call the capitol switchboard at 406-444-4800
The switchboard is open 7 AM to 5:30 PM M-F
State your name, where you're located, and ask to leave a message Supporting / Opposing the bill you want to leave comment on
There's a new system for leaving message to legislators this year that does require you to create an account. You'll need to go to legmt.gov/participate
Be sure to enter in your email address and press verify to get a confirmation code. Note: you will not be able to proceed forward in the form if you do not complete this first step.
To testify virtually, go to legmt.gov/participate. Like submitting a public comment, you will need to create an account first and verify your email.
You will be able to sign up to testify two hours before the hearing.
In your testimony, be sure to say, "Chair and members of the committee, my name is [insert full name and spell out your last name] and I live in [insert place in MT]. I'm here to SUPPORT / OPPOSE [HB/SB #] for [insert your reason]. Close by saying: [Thank you for your time and please vote YES/ NO on this bill.]
Priority Bills
Key: ✅ Support ❌ Oppose 🔵. Tracking
Healthcare
✅ House Bill 386, carried by Rep. SJ Howell, directs the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to apply for amendments to existing Medicaid Section 1115 waivers to reinstate 12-month continuous eligibility for two specific Medicaid coverage groups: parents and caretaker relatives, and adults eligible under the Medicaid expansion program. These groups previously had 12-month continuous eligibility before waiver amendments in 2021 and 2022 changed their status. For those that don't know, continuous eligibility means that once an individual is determined eligible for Medicaid, they can remain enrolled for a full 12 months without needing to reconfirm their eligibility, which can help provide more stable healthcare coverage.
12-month continuous eligibility allows for more stable healthcare coverage for folks who take up seasonal work or work more at different times of the year. Workers who take up this kind of work fill a valuable role in our economy and deserve to have health insurance in times when they have to work more.
House Bill 386 will be heard this Thursday, February 13th at 3 PM in the House Human Services Committee (Room 152)
LGBTQ2S+ Rights
❌ House Bill 300, also carried by Rep. Kerri Seekins-Crowe, would effectively ban trans athletes from participating in sports in Montana public schools. House Bill 300 passed out of the House and now heads towards the Senate. Please contact your Senators and let them know that you OPPOSE HB 300. The Capitol Switchboard can be reached at 406-444-4800 on weekdays from 7:30-5 PM. You can also submit a comment here.
Whether you are a student athlete, teacher, professor, coach, or administrator we need your help in order to protect trans student athletes of all ages from facing discrimination. Please add your name to this letter opposing HB 300, which would ban transgender youth from participating in sports teams that match their gender identity.
❌ Senate Bill 218, carried by Sen. John Fuller, would further criminalize health care providers by allowing someone to sue a provider for treatment of gender dysphoria dating back to 25 years ago. This could have some dire impacts on our health care system in Montana as some medical providers may choose to not practice in Montana under this threat.
Senate Bill 218 was heard last week in the Senate Judiciary Committee and will likely be heading to the Senate floor this week.
If you are a medical provider, staff, or administrator, or are someone who routinely seeks medical care, please add this name to your letter voicing opposition to this harmful policy-- thank you!
❌ House Bill 121, carried by Rep. Kerri Seekins-Crowe, would effectively ban trans people from using restrooms or public facilities that align with their gender identity. HB 121 passed second reading in the Senate today, and is being heard for third reading tomorrow.
Call your Senator and let them know that you OPPOSE SB 218 and HB 121.
❌ Senate Bill 164, carried by Sen. John Fuller, would criminalize parents, caregivers, and medical providers who support children in accessing gender-affirming health care. SB 164 passed out of the Senate last week, and now heads to the House Judiciary committee.
Criminal Legal & Voting Rights
❌ House Bill 395, carried by Rep. Braxton Mitchell, introduces a new definition of "unsound mind" in the state code and amends several sections of Montana law to incorporate this definition, including voting regulations. This bill aims to disenfranchise folks with felony convictions, who in Montana are disproportionately Indigenous, who would otherwise have their right to vote automatically reinstated upon release from a secure facility.
House Bill 395 will be heard this Friday, February 14th at 10 AM in the House State Admin Committee.
