We provide our members with the tools and opportunities to make their voices heard on important issues facing Montana. During legislative sessions, Northern Plains maintains a full-time citizen lobby in Helena.
Legislature
Participating safely in the 2021 Legislative Session during the pandemic
The 67th Montana Legislative Session is forging ahead with its traditional biennial 90-day schedule, despite the setbacks caused by COVID-19. With *voluntary* public health measures in place at the capitol building (like optional mask wearing and optional temperature checks), we are NOT asking members to go to the capitol building for typical lobby days. Instead, we are committed to alternative forms of citizen engagement this year, like remote participation. From the beginning, Northern Plains defended laws that protect clean air, clean water, and citizen voices in Montana. Your help is even more critical in a year like this. From new renewable energy taxes to easing up on environmental protections, the bills coming up this year place Montana’s climate future at risk. Here’s what you need to know:
How to testify this year
Visit the “Have Your Say Montana” legislative website. This is your one stop shop to submit testimony on a bill, request the Zoom link for a committee hearing, or find the link to a livestream recording of committee hearings and floor sessions. This is the link you can use when a Northern Plains ACTION ALERT is distributed during the session. Note that we are now required to request to testify or submit public comment by NOON the day before a bill is heard. Unfortunately, this barrier to involvement is one we will have to work around this year.
For help navigating the website, contact our Legislative Intern Hellie Badaruddin at hellie@northernplains.org.
How to keep up with important bills
How to contact your legislators
- Find your District
- Find a Legislator
- Tips for Contacting a Legislator
- Send a message to a Legislator
How to contact other decision-makers
- Legislative switchboard: 406-444-4800
- Contact Governor Gianforte
- Roster of Statewide Elected Officials
Legislative Bulletins
One of the reasons Northern Plains members have been successful in protecting our quality of life in Montana is by staying informed. During Montana’s biennial legislative sessions, our members receive a Legislative Bulletin in the mail every two weeks and a digital version (Legislative e-Bulletin) every week to keep them updated on what’s happening at the Legislature. Click on the links below to access our latest Legislative Bulletin.
- Bulletin 1, Weeks 1-2 (Jan 4 – 15)
- Bulletin 2, Weeks 3-4 (Jan 18 – 29)
- Bulletin 3, Weeks 4-5 (Feb 1 – 12)
- Bulletin 4, Weeks 5-6 (Feb 15 – 26)
- Bulletin 5, Weeks 7-8 (Mar 1 – 12
- Bulletin 6, Weeks 9-10 (Mar 15 – 26)
- Bulletin 7, Weeks 11-12 (Mar 29 – Apr 9)
- Bulletin 8, Weeks 13-14 (Apr 12 – 23)
Legislative Scorecards
At the end of each legislative session, we produce a summary of how our legislators voted on the issues our members care about. Click on the links below to view legislative scorecards from 2009-2019.