Republicans in the Montana Senate have endorsed a bill that would end same-day voter registration in the state, pushing the bill closer to Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte’s desk.

Republicans in the Montana House of Representatives endorsed a state budget Monday that outlines $12 billion in spending over two years. The Republican majority advanced the state spending package with every Democrat voting against it.

As of mid-day Friday, 1,183 bills have been introduced and 60 have been signed into law. This week we’re watching the state budget, recreational marijuana and bills that would carry impacts for LGBTQ people.

The many moving parts of the state budget have pushed lawmakers to extend the session — but Montana's Legislature isn't the state's only busy branch. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has filed yet another lawsuit against the Biden Administration. At the same time, prominent Montanans are suing Gov. Greg Gianforte over his effort to directly appoint judges. And, as a racist social media post by a Republican lawmaker resurfaces, Montanans are learning that overwhelming public opposition to

Forecasters say Montana’s state revenues are getting a major boost from federal stimulus, and the health of state coffers is easier to estimate now than in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Legislative fiscal analysts gave that update to lawmakers Friday

As film and TV-show production become more common in Montana, lawmakers are already seeking to expand a new tax incentive and encourage the industry to plant firmer roots in the state.

Montana Republicans Friday voted down a proposal to expand the states Earned Income Tax Credit for the second time. It’s Democratic lawmakers latest policy proposal to find little traction this session. House Bill 631 was the second iteration of a bill that would have increased the Earned Income Tax Credit from 3% to 10%. The credit benefits moderate- and low-income households.

Montana lawmakers endorsed a bill Thursday that would change the state's Constitution to ban abortion in any circumstance. Although it is one of several anti-abortion bills making headway this session, this proposal will need to find bipartisan support in the Senate to continue moving forward.

The Montana Senate Thursday confirmed Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte’s nominee to lead the state health department. Adam Meier will be the next director of the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. DPHHS is the state’s largest agency, nearly half of the state’s general fund goes toward paying for it and its programs.

Montana lawmakers advanced a preliminary state budget last week that outlines $12 billion in spending over the next two years. It's expected to land on the House floor for debate in the coming days. If nothing changes, the state will spend about $400 million more in the next biennium than it did over the last two years. That’s a 3.4% increase , according to the Legislative Fiscal Division. But the budget has only cleared one hurdle of many before it becomes law.