Gov. Greg Gianforte

Gov. Greg Gianforte, elected in Nov. 2020, took office in early 2021 as Montana’s first Republican governor since 2005.

The governor appoints state agency heads and is ultimately responsible for the day-to-day management of government. The governor also prepares a budget proposal that serves as a starting point for the legislative appropriations process, where lawmakers determine how much the governor’s executive branch is allowed to spend.

Bills passed by the Legislature are sent to the governor, who can sign them into law, issue a veto, or let them become law without his signature. Vetos can be overridden by two-thirds majority votes in both the House and Senate.

The governor's desk

As of 6/21/21, 589 bills from the 2021 Legislature had been sent to Gov. Gianforte for his signature.

Currently before the governor

None at present

Vetoed

The Montana Constitution requires that the governor provide explanation for vetos. Vetos can be overridden by two-thirds majorities in the House and Senate.

HB 97: Revise ethics laws regarding application to boards and commissions From Wendy McKamey (R)Bill text Veto memo	Failed
SB 108: Authorize elected official approval of city/county health board rules From Doug Kary (R)Bill text Veto memo 1 MTFP story	Failed
HB 158: Create study commission to review covid-19 statute & rule suspensions From Caleb Hinkle (R)Bill text Fiscal note Veto memo 1 MTFP story	Failed
SB 165: Generally revise laws related to the department of environmental quality From Carl Glimm (R)Bill text Veto memo 2 MTFP stories	Failed
HB 188: Generally revise electric vehicle laws and fees From Denley Loge (R)Bill text Fiscal note Veto memo	Failed
SB 227: Provide for repeal of administrative rules by joint resolution From Steve Fitzpatrick (R)Bill text Veto memo 2 MTFP stories	Passed
SB 231: Revise exempt well laws related to family transfer parcels From Mark Blasdel (R)Bill text Veto memo	Failed
HB 235: Create nutrition incentive program for SNAP participants From Tom Welch (R)Bill text Fiscal note Veto memo	Failed
HB 277: Provide for a state government performance and results act From Bill Mercer (R)Bill text Fiscal note Veto memo	Failed
SB 278: Generally revise civil liability law From Greg Hertz (R)Bill text Fiscal note Veto memo 1 MTFP story	Failed

Showing 10 of 17.

Signed into law

SB 1: Revise lobbying laws to update terminology and conform lobbying definition From Doug Kary (R)Bill text	Passed
HB 1: Feed Bill to fund 67th Legislative session and prepare for 2023 From Llew Jones (R)Bill text	Passed
HB 2: General Appropriations Act From Llew Jones (R)Bill text 9 MTFP stories	Passed
SB 3: Revise motor carrier authority within reservation boundaries From Jason Small (R)Bill text	Passed
HB 3: Supplemental Appropriations Bill From David Bedey (R)Bill text	Passed
SB 4: Extend the Missing Indigenous Persons Task Force From Jason Small (R)Bill text Fiscal note 3 MTFP stories	Passed
HB 4: Appropriations by Budget Amendment From Dan Bartel (R)Bill text Fiscal note	Passed
SB 5: Establish a memorial highway designation From Russ Tempel (R)Bill text Fiscal note	Passed
HB 5: Long-Range Building Appropriations From Llew Jones (R)Bill text Fiscal note	Passed
SB 6: Revise distribution dates for lodging taxes From Jill Cohenour (D)Bill text	Passed

Showing 10 of 572.

Became law without signature

Bills that have become law without the governor's signature after the governor chooses not to issue a signature or a veto by the 10-day deadline specified in the Montana Constitution.

None at present

Montana Free Press

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News coverage

MTFP legislative coverage involving the Governor's Office

What got signed, and what got vetoed

5/20/21

The vaccine hesitancy hardline

5/14/21

The newest twist in the fight between the Legislature and the judiciary

5/13/21

Gianforte signs bill restricting transgender athletes

5/7/21

The Session podcast

5/3/21

Winners, losers and mixed bags of the 67th Montana Legislature

4/29/21

Vaccination bill moves closer to law, with changes

4/28/21

Ban on vax requirements headed for governor’s desk

4/27/21

Montana Republicans want to limit abortion access. It won’t be easy.

4/26/21

The Session podcast

4/26/21

This week in Helena, April 19-23

4/23/21

Trans athlete restriction bill clears Montana Legislature

4/23/21

Gianforte approves changes to Montana election laws

4/19/21

The Session podcast

4/19/21

Legislature passes black bear, grizzly bear and wolf proposals

4/15/21

Legislature overrides Gianforte’s first veto

4/12/21

The Session podcast

4/12/21

Unanimous Senate votes to override Gianforte’s first veto

4/9/21

The financial side of school choice

4/8/21

The Session podcast

4/5/21

On the governor’s behalf

3/31/21

The Session podcast

3/29/21

Gianforte administration takes second crack at modernizing corporate income tax

3/24/21

Bullock-appointed judges face questions in Senate confirmation

3/24/21

The Session podcast

3/22/21

Opposition digs in against LGBTQ bills, with Gianforte in the wings

3/19/21

Gianforte signs bill allowing governors to appoint judges to vacant seats

3/17/21

The Session podcast

3/15/21

Gianforte administration signals support for religious expression bill

3/11/21

New round of federal COVID-19 aid means billions for Montana

3/10/21

The Session podcast

3/8/21

How are Republicans spending their mandate?

3/4/21

Gianforte signs ‘constitutional carry’ gun bill

2/18/21

This week in Helena, Feb. 8-12

2/12/21

Gianforte administration calls for tax cuts to lure out-of-state entrepreneurs

2/11/21

Gianforte says he’ll lift state mask mandate this week

2/10/21

Business equipment tax cut gets initial hearing

2/9/21

Cutting out the judicial appointment middleman

2/9/21

Can Montana get a grip on addiction?

2/9/21

COVID liability shield clears Legislature

2/4/21

Gianforte stresses ‘resilience’ in first State of the State address

1/29/21

Raising teacher salaries

1/26/21

Gianforte fills out cabinet

1/21/21

First of multiple anti-abortion measures advance

1/21/21

‘Right-to-work’ returns

1/13/21

Senate holds hearing on COVID liability protections

1/8/21

A new day at DEQ and DNRC

1/8/21

Gianforte budget calls for multiple tax reductions

1/7/21

Gianforte signals support for state pay plan proposal

1/6/21

The stories of 2020

1/2/21

Gianforte holds first press conference

12/4/20

Gianforte picks ‘full-spectrum conservative’ as lead lawyer

12/1/20

Gianforte names U.S. Attorney as budget director

11/24/20

How will the GOP spend its mandate?

11/6/20

More information about this guide is available here. Reach data reporter Eric Dietrich with questions, comments or bug reports for this project at edietrich@montanafreepress.org.

Think there's a potential news story to be done about a bill or lawmaker you see here? Tell us at tips@montanafreepress.org.

Capitol Tracker

Exploring the data on Montana's 2021 legislative session

Gov. Greg Gianforte

The governor's desk

Currently before the governor

Vetoed

Signed into law

Became law without signature

News coverage