Rotunda Roundup

from Montana Farmers Union

Legislative Update for

Jan. 20 - 24th

The following is a weekly update of Montana Farmers Union involvement in the 2025 Montana Legislative Session. MFU is the state's largest and oldest grassroots family farm advocacy organization representing family farms, ranches, and rural communities for more than 100 years.

This week, we saw a range of legislation from Medicaid Expansion to cuts to the marketing dollars for made in Montana program and Montana agritourism grants, along with modernization for livestock transportation documents, among many other bills that we are monitoring. 

High Level Action Alert: 

HB 119 - Establish MT Cattle Committee: second beef check-off in the works.

The House Agriculture committee passed the bill 10-7 out of the committee following one amendment being added to the bill. MFU is still currently opposed to the bill. The bill provides for a politically appointed committee that would collect an assessment fee of $1 from Montana Cattle producers upon a referendum vote.

Status & Next Steps: The bill will next go to the House Floor for second reading where all the representatives will be voting on the bill. 

Find our current analysis and action alert here.  

Bills supported: 

Department of Agriculture Budget Requests: 

Appropriations Subcommittee Section C (Natural Resources/Transportation) heard the Department of Agriculture Budget request which MFU supported, specifically the requests around the diagnostic/analytical lab and the State Grain Lab requests, along with the critical work of the department to provide access to mental health services and information for farmers and ranchers. 

Status & Next steps: The committee has passed the bill. It will be sent to the full House Floor for 2^nd reading soon. 

MFU supported two pieces of legislation geared toward the continuation of Medicaid Expansion in Montana. Both bills were heard in the House Human Services Committee. We need strong emergency medical response systems, critical access hospitals, rural clinics and assisted living facilities. Farming and ranching communities face serious hurdles getting access to mental health, substance abuse and addiction resources. Medicaid Expansion plays a critical role in providing funding for and access to rural Montana healthcare. 

• HB 230 Generally revise Medicaid laws sponsored by Rep. Mary Caferro 
• HB 245 Revise the Montana HELP Act workforce development provisions and termination date sponsored by Rep. Ed Buttrey 

Status & Next steps: The committee has passed the bill. It will be sent to the full House Floor for 2^nd reading soon

MFU supported SB 78, SB 79, and SB 80 from the Department of Livestock, which align Montana law with current practice as well as some modernization and continue to work toward efficiency for ranchers. Of particular note is SB 80, sponsored by Josh Kassmier, which allows digital copies of livestock transportation documentation. 

Status & Next steps: The committee will be voting on the bills soon. 

Bills opposed:

SB 90: Redistribute certain state tax revenue to primary residence property tax relief, sponsored by Sen. Carl Glimm. Montana Farmers Union opposes SB 90, as the bill would end the funding for some critical programs that benefit rural and agricultural communities, notably Commerce’s Agritourism Grant program and the marketing funding for the Made in Montana program, which grow rural communities and enhance access to agriculture. While we monitor solutions for property tax relief, we don’t feel this is the right approach.

Status & Next steps: The committee will be voting on the bill soon. 

SB 62: Provide for phaseout of Medicaid expansion program, sponsored by Sen. Carl Glimm. This bill to phase out Medicaid expansion would negatively impact many rural Montanans. Medicaid expansion has made major inroads in improving access to care for rural Montanans. Rural health services should be maintained and strengthened, not phased out. This benefits all of rural Montana, not just Medicaid recipients. Farming and ranching families who get the healthcare they need can return to work and school more quickly, stay in the workforce longer, and stay productive.  

Senator Carl Glimm represents Senate District 3, in Northwest Montana. Let him know how his bills might affect your community by emailing him at Carl.Glimm@leg.mt.gov or calling 406-751-7334. 

Status & Next steps: The committee will be voting on the bill soon  



We will continue to track bills that impact family farms and ranches and rural communities and keep you informed. 

Questions?

Please contact Rachel Prevost at rprevost@montanafarmersunion.com

or Jasmine Krotkov at jkrotkov@montanafarmersunion.com

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Press Information: montanafarmersunion.com/media-press-kit/

MFU President Walter Schweitzer: 406-799-3782

Montana Farmers Union has worked more than 100 years for family farms, ranches, and rural communities. MFU supports its members through: Strong education programs for both youth and adults, by advocating member-driven policies and legislation at the state and federal level, and cooperation through producer-owned co-ops. For more information, visit www.montanafarmersunion.com.