As of mid-day Thursday 1,121 had been introduced and Gov. Greg Gianforte had signed 38 bills into law. This week we’re breaking down what made it across the transmittal deadline, what failed and where the session is going next.

Right-to-work legislation fails. "Culture war" bills are still alive. And the big budget fights loom as the Legislature marks its midpoint. Listen now on Capitol Talk with Sally Mauk, Holly Michels and Rob Saldin.

Gov. Greg Gianforte Friday signed a bill into law that will create an incentive program for public school districts to pay their early-career teachers a higher wage.

HELENA — After a 15-hour session, the Montana Senate finished its business for the first half of the 67th legislative session just before midnight on Monday, advancing a total of 115 bills. The slate ranged from legislation aimed at strengthening religious freedoms to a bill abolishing daylight saving time.

Ahead of a Wednesday deadline, Montana lawmakers endorsed one bill and rejected another that aim to increase access to the internet.

The 67th session of the Montana Legislature hit the halfway point Tuesday, and lawmakers are taking a break through next Monday. The week before the break was full of marathon policy debates and votes. With the adjournment of the state Senate at nearly midnight Monday evening, and the House of Representatives Tuesday afternoon, lawmakers completed the first 45 days of their work.

Montana lawmakers have reversed a vote and now are rejecting a policy that would add regulations for internet providers following the bill’s passage over the weekend when only Republicans on the committee were in attendance to vote.

As of midday Friday 1,128 bills had been introduced and Gov. Gianforte had signed 28 into law. The Legislature faces a Wednesday, March 3 deadline for general policy bills from the House to make their way to the Senate, and vice versa. Bills that appropriate money can still be introduced. This week, we’re watching bills ‘in the balance’ -- they need to get across to the other chamber to stay in play.

Montana's two senators are split on their support for the first Native American to be nominated to a Cabinet post. And the state Legislature is hurtling towards its mid-session break with a flurry of bills addressing abortion, transgender surgery and tax cuts, among others. Listen now on Capitol Talk with Sally Mauk, Holly Michels and Rob Saldin.