On April 30, the Montana legislature adjourned sine die after 85 days in session. During this session, the Senate introduced 723 bills, while the House introduced 1036 bills. Of the introduced bills, 884 were passed by the legislature.
Below are some key topics that were discussed this session.
Medicaid
The 2025 legislative session proved to focus on expanding access to health care in the State. Notably HB 245, which was signed by the Governor, makes Medicaid expansion permanent in the state unless further legislative action is taken.
Several other measures have been sent to the Governor to expand Medicaid access and coverage within the state. This includes HB 881 which creates a Medicaid buy-in for families with children with disabilities. SB 72 creates a presumptive eligibility for Medicaid coverage for those seeking home and community-based services. Additionally, SB 319 provides Medicaid reimbursement for doula services while HB 585 increases Medicaid reimbursement for physical therapy and occupational therapy. If signed, these bills would further expand healthcare access to vulnerable populations in the state.
Abortion/ Vaccinations
Despite Montana’s conservative leaning legislature, only a few abortion related measures were signed by the Governor this session. This includes HB 388 which creates protections for crisis centers that counsel women against having abortions and HB 723 which requires medical facilities to report abortion procedures and outcomes in the state, including when an infant was born despite an abortion being performed or attempted. Furthermore, the most restrictive abortion-related legislation introduced this session did not make it far in the legislative process. This includes measures to restrict abortions by creating criminal offenses, HB 609, defining personhood from conception, HB 316, and creating regulations for medical abortions, HB 555/SB 479.
Additionally, during the 2025 session, two pieces of introduced legislation made headlines but ultimately failed short of passage. SB 474 would have created an “informed consent” exemption for child vaccine requirements in day care centers, while HB 364 would have allowed the state to collect vaccine data from local school districts. Both of these measures died in the second chamber but amplified conversation in the legislature over vaccinating children that has become a hot topic nationally.
Budget
The Montana budget has passed both the House and the Senate and now awaits the Governor’s signature. The state runs on a biennial budget therefore the appropriate funds will be used for the next two years. In Montana, the Governor has the authority to line-item veto appropriations. Some key budget takeaways include:
- $2.3 million for each of fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to the Department of Public Health and Human Services for the Tobacco Use Prevention Program Funding.
- $1,680,584 for fiscal year 2026 and $1,730,994 for fiscal year 2027 to the Department of Public Health and Human Services to provide Medicaid Home Visiting for individuals with substance use disorder or severe disabling mental illness.
- $1.5 million to the Department of Public Health and Human Services for the student loan repayment program.
- $15,174,347 for fiscal year 2026 and $16,181,426 for fiscal year 2027 to the Commissioner of Higher Education for the student assistance program.
- $50 million for the 2025-27 Biennium for Montana Tech Campus Expansion and Upgrades.
Looking Ahead
The Montana Legislature is one of four that meets in session every other year. They will not meet for a session until January 2027. During the 2025 legislative session, the legislature passed resolutions requesting studies to occur during the interim. Some of these studies that were passed by the legislature include a study on transmission capacity, a study on artificial intelligence laws and regulations, and a study to examine the prescription drug supply chain, including pharmacy benefit managers.
More than a dozen members will be termed out after serving 8 years in the state House or state Senate. Elections will be held in November of 2026 to replace these open seats.