Montana officials are butting heads over the future of the national mammal. At stake is whether bison should be treated as livestock or as wildlife. New legislation and policy changes under the Gianforte administration are derailing hopes of establishing the first free-roaming bison herds in the state.

Missoula County lifted its mask mandate Monday, effectively ending all COVID-19 restrictions for the general public in the area.

Montana has banned transgender women and girls from competing in women’s interscholastic sports. Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed that ban into law Friday. Montana joins five other states in enacting a ban on transgender women and girls from participating in K-12 and college sports with other women and girls.

Montana Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed two bills into law Thursday to simplify the state’s income tax code while also cutting the top marginal rate. Gianforte was joined by Republican lawmakers to sign the bills at a manufacturing business in Kalispell.

A new law in Montana prohibits local governments from requiring builders to include housing units for low- and moderate-income families in new projects. The restriction comes as some communities were getting programs off the ground.

Before the end of the legislative session closed, Montana lawmakers reversed course on a proposal that would have required a politically-appointed panel to decide who can get Medicaid reimbursement to cover abortion care. Lawmakers will now study the issue.

Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte has signed a bill into law to increase the tax exemption on business equipment up to $300,0000.

The 67th session of the Montana Legislature adjourned sine die Thursday, April 29. During lawmakers’ 80 days of work, 1,313 bills were introduced and as of mid-day Friday at least 302 had been signed into law.

The 2021 Legislature produced a balanced budget with a slight spending increase, some new restrictions on abortion, a fight with the state Supreme Court and a lot of fulfilled conservative goals. Holly, Rob and Sally give their final takeaways from the session and preview the upcoming race for Montana's new second congressional seat. Listen now on this year's final episode of Capitol Talk with Sally Mauk, Rob Saldin and Holly Michels.

The 2021 meeting of Montana lawmakers was defined by Republicans' ironclad majority in both chambers with the backing of the first GOP governor in 16 years and work that began during a pandemic. MTPR’s Shaylee Ragar and YPR’s Kevin Trevellyan have been in the halls and zoom meetings for the past 80 days. Here’s their breakdown of the final day of action.