The Session

Reporters Mara Silvers and Shaylee Ragar discuss this week's deadline for lawmakers to pass general bills out of their original chamber. There's a lot of policy to consider, including rules about access to abortion.

Join us for this free, digital-only event on March 8 at 7:00 p.m. as reporters and editors from Montana Free Press, Montana Public Radio, and Yellowstone Public Radio discuss the major developments from the Montana Legislature's first 45 days and look ahead toward the second half of the session. We'll also be answering your submitted questions.

Submit your questions about the 68th legislative session using this survey link

This week, reporters JoVonne Wagner, Eric Dietrich, and Shaylee Ragar join host Nadya Faulx to discuss the defeat of a bill that would have established Indigenous Peoples Day in Montana — and what's next for the lawmakers who introduced it — along with debates over property taxes and redrawing legislative districts.

Today is legislative day 31 of 90 -- meaning we're a third of the way through the 68th Legislature.

This week, lawmakers are starting to piece together the biggest part of the state budget -- health department spending -- and world views about LGBTQ rights are colliding over rules for public schools.

Host Corin Cates-Carney and reporters Mara Silvers, Ellis Juhlin and Alex Sakariassen discuss the latest from inside the Montana Statehouse.

Host Mara Silvers and reporters Arren Kimbel-Sannit, Shaylee Ragar, and Eric Dietrich discuss what legislation moving forward could mean for injunctions and the judiciary, what lawmakers have in store for the state's $2.5 billion budget surplus, and what those plans mean for everyday Montanans.

Governor Greg Gianforte delivers a State of the State address that focuses on economic growth but lawmakers are turning their attention to social issues.

Host Nadya Faulx and reporters Shaylee Ragar, Mara Silvers, and Austin Amestoy discuss the governor's State of the State speech, debate over transgender rights and abortion, and why the state is asking for more money to defend laws in court.

Bills to reform Montana tax policy, support missing persons search efforts and overhaul Child Protective Services move through the Legislature. Host Mara Silvers and reporters Ellis Juhlin and Shaylee Ragar discuss the legislation they're watching this week -- along with the schisms between and within the parties that are starting to form.

Montana lawmakers take their oaths of office and begin their work in the state capitol.

Host Nadya Faulx and reporters Shaylee Ragar, Ellis Juhlin, and Arren Kimbel-Sannit discuss a rules debate that's dividing the GOP, how moderate Republicans are working with Democrats, a Montana Freedom Caucus, and the beginnings of the state budget.

With the 2022 election over, Republicans hold power not seen in the state capitol in nearly a century. The governor has released his budget. Lawmakers have elected leadership and will arrive in Helena on Jan. 2 to begin their work. Host Corin Cates-Carney and reporters Shaylee Ragar, Eric Dietrich, Ellis Juhlin, and Arren Kimbel-Sannit discuss last week's legislative caucuses, how the governor hopes for the state to spend its money, and what to expect in the upcoming legislative session.

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.

In the final episode of The Session, Reporters from Montana Free Press, Yellowstone Public Radio and Montana Public Radio break down the outcomes.