The Montana House
67 Republicans, 33 Democrats
The Montana House is the Legislature’s larger chamber, with 100 representatives elected to two-year terms. Appropriations measures, such as the state budget bill, typically originate in the House.
Representatives propose laws by introducing House bills, which face initial review in committees that decide which measures deserve debate on the House floor. Floor action occurs in two phases, usually on different days: a “second reading” where lawmakers debate a bill, consider amendments and vote on whether to advance the bill, and then a final “third reading” vote.
House bills that have passed the House are transmitted to the Senate, which conducts a similar review process. If a House bill is amended by the Senate, it is returned to the House for representatives to vote again on the amended version. Once a bill passes both chambers, it is forwarded to the governor.
Bills fail either when lawmakers don’t advance them fast enough to meet procedural deadlines, or when they’re subjected to an adverse vote. In some cases, sponsors may also withdraw their bills from consideration.
Leadership
Speaker of the House
Majority Leader
Minority Leader
Membership
Republicans
| District | Lawmaker | Votes in majority | w/ most Rs w/ most Ds |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD 1 | R-Libby | 92% | 97% w/ Rs 66% w/ Ds |
| HD 2 | R-Eureka | 90% | 93% w/ Rs 66% w/ Ds |
| HD 3 | R-Columbia Falls | 90% | 94% w/ Rs 64% w/ Ds |
| HD 4 | R-Kalispell | 85% | 90% w/ Rs 61% w/ Ds |
| HD 6 | R-Kalispell | 92% | 96% w/ Rs 66% w/ Ds |
| HD 7 | R-Kalispell | 96% | 93% w/ Rs 75% w/ Ds |
| HD 8 | R-Kalispell | 90% | 94% w/ Rs 65% w/ Ds |
| HD 9 | R-Kalispell | 91% | 87% w/ Rs 80% w/ Ds |
| HD 10 | R-Bigfork | 91% | 95% w/ Rs 65% w/ Ds |
| HD 11 | R-Kalispell | 90% | 94% w/ Rs 66% w/ Ds |
| HD 12 | R-Polson | 96% | 95% w/ Rs 71% w/ Ds |
| HD 13 | R-Thompson Falls | 88% | 92% w/ Rs 64% w/ Ds |
| HD 14 | R-St Regis | 97% | 95% w/ Rs 73% w/ Ds |
| HD 17 | R-Fairfield | 98% | 93% w/ Rs 75% w/ Ds |
| HD 18 | R-Conrad | 98% | 94% w/ Rs 74% w/ Ds |
| HD 19 | R-Ulm | 95% | 91% w/ Rs 73% w/ Ds |
| HD 20 | R-Great Falls | 97% | 94% w/ Rs 73% w/ Ds |
| HD 21 | R-Great Falls | 96% | 93% w/ Rs 75% w/ Ds |
| HD 22 | R-Great Falls | 85% | 90% w/ Rs 61% w/ Ds |
| HD 23 | R-Great Falls | 91% | 95% w/ Rs 65% w/ Ds |
| HD 24 | R-Great Falls | 88% | 92% w/ Rs 63% w/ Ds |
| HD 25 | R-Great Falls | 96% | 96% w/ Rs 70% w/ Ds |
| HD 26 | R-Great Falls | 94% | 96% w/ Rs 68% w/ Ds |
| HD 27 | R-Fort Benton | 95% | 96% w/ Rs 70% w/ Ds |
| HD 28 | R-Havre | 89% | 92% w/ Rs 65% w/ Ds |
| HD 29 | R-Lewistown | 89% | 92% w/ Rs 64% w/ Ds |
| HD 30 | R-Martinsdale | 95% | 97% w/ Rs 69% w/ Ds |
| HD 33 | R-Malta | 94% | 95% w/ Rs 69% w/ Ds |
| HD 34 | R-Culbertson | 88% | 92% w/ Rs 65% w/ Ds |
| HD 35 | R-Sidney | 87% | 92% w/ Rs 62% w/ Ds |
| HD 36 | R-Glendive | 90% | 94% w/ Rs 64% w/ Ds |
| HD 37 | R-Circle | 91% | 94% w/ Rs 66% w/ Ds |
| HD 38 | R-Miles City | 97% | 93% w/ Rs 74% w/ Ds |
| HD 39 | R-Forsyth | 94% | 90% w/ Rs 78% w/ Ds |
| HD 40 | R-Roundup | 89% | 94% w/ Rs 65% w/ Ds |
| HD 43 | R-Billings | 93% | 97% w/ Rs 67% w/ Ds |
| HD 44 | R-Billings | 93% | 94% w/ Rs 69% w/ Ds |
| HD 45 | R-Billings | 92% | 94% w/ Rs 68% w/ Ds |
| HD 46 | R-Billings | 91% | 92% w/ Rs 68% w/ Ds |
| HD 50 | R-Billings | 92% | 95% w/ Rs 69% w/ Ds |
| HD 51 | R-Billings | 95% | 98% w/ Rs 68% w/ Ds |
| HD 52 | R-Billings | 96% | 97% w/ Rs 71% w/ Ds |
| HD 53 | R-Billings | 88% | 92% w/ Rs 63% w/ Ds |
| HD 54 | R-Billings | 89% | 91% w/ Rs 66% w/ Ds |
| HD 55 | R-Laurel | 93% | 94% w/ Rs 67% w/ Ds |
| HD 56 | R-Billings | 95% | 98% w/ Rs 69% w/ Ds |
| HD 57 | R-Columbus | 89% | 93% w/ Rs 64% w/ Ds |
| HD 58 | R-Joliet | 91% | 95% w/ Rs 65% w/ Ds |
| HD 59 | R-Pray | 97% | 95% w/ Rs 72% w/ Ds |
| HD 64 | R-Bozeman | 93% | 97% w/ Rs 68% w/ Ds |
| HD 67 | R-Belgrade | 88% | 92% w/ Rs 63% w/ Ds |
| HD 68 | R-Belgrade | 87% | 90% w/ Rs 63% w/ Ds |
| HD 69 | R-Manhattan | 93% | 95% w/ Rs 68% w/ Ds |
| HD 70 | R-Townsend | 97% | 94% w/ Rs 73% w/ Ds |
| HD 71 | R-Twin Bridges | 97% | 93% w/ Rs 75% w/ Ds |
| HD 72 | R-Dillon | 97% | 92% w/ Rs 76% w/ Ds |
| HD 75 | R-Clancy | 98% | 94% w/ Rs 74% w/ Ds |
| HD 78 | R-Deer Lodge | 96% | 93% w/ Rs 75% w/ Ds |
| HD 80 | R-Elliston | 90% | 92% w/ Rs 66% w/ Ds |
| HD 85 | R-Hamilton | 86% | 91% w/ Rs 63% w/ Ds |
| HD 86 | R-Hamilton | 99% | 94% w/ Rs 74% w/ Ds |
| HD 87 | R-Pinesdale | 93% | 96% w/ Rs 67% w/ Ds |
| HD 88 | R-Florence | 96% | 93% w/ Rs 74% w/ Ds |
| HD 92 | R-Missoula | 95% | 92% w/ Rs 73% w/ Ds |
| HD 93 | R-Ronan | 89% | 91% w/ Rs 65% w/ Ds |
| HD 96 | R-Missoula | 96% | 92% w/ Rs 73% w/ Ds |
| HD 97 | R-Missoula | 82% | 87% w/ Rs 57% w/ Ds |
Democrats
| District | Lawmaker | Votes in majority | w/ most Rs w/ most Ds |
|---|---|---|---|
| HD 5 | D-Whitefish | 81% | 77% w/ Rs 91% w/ Ds |
| HD 15 | D-Browning | 74% | 69% w/ Rs 94% w/ Ds |
| HD 16 | D-Browning | 75% | 70% w/ Rs 96% w/ Ds |
| HD 31 | D-Poplar | 74% | 70% w/ Rs 91% w/ Ds |
| HD 32 | D-Box Elder | 68% | 64% w/ Rs 90% w/ Ds |
| HD 41 | D-Lame Deer | 69% | 64% w/ Rs 93% w/ Ds |
| HD 42 | D-Crow Agency | 72% | 67% w/ Rs 93% w/ Ds |
| HD 47 | D-Billings | 74% | 69% w/ Rs 96% w/ Ds |
| HD 48 | D-Billings | 73% | 68% w/ Rs 96% w/ Ds |
| HD 49 | D-Billings | 76% | 71% w/ Rs 93% w/ Ds |
| HD 60 | D-Livingston | 73% | 68% w/ Rs 97% w/ Ds |
| HD 61 | D-Bozeman | 71% | 66% w/ Rs 93% w/ Ds |
| HD 62 | D-Bozeman | 73% | 68% w/ Rs 97% w/ Ds |
| HD 63 | D-Bozeman | 76% | 71% w/ Rs 96% w/ Ds |
| HD 65 | D-Bozeman | 70% | 65% w/ Rs 96% w/ Ds |
| HD 66 | D-Bozeman | 67% | 62% w/ Rs 93% w/ Ds |
| HD 73 | D-Butte | 74% | 70% w/ Rs 93% w/ Ds |
| HD 74 | D-Butte | 75% | 70% w/ Rs 95% w/ Ds |
| HD 76 | D-Butte | 77% | 72% w/ Rs 94% w/ Ds |
| HD 77 | D-Anaconda | 79% | 74% w/ Rs 94% w/ Ds |
| HD 79 | D-Helena | 71% | 66% w/ Rs 97% w/ Ds |
| HD 81 | D-Helena | 70% | 66% w/ Rs 93% w/ Ds |
| HD 82 | D-Helena | 76% | 71% w/ Rs 97% w/ Ds |
| HD 83 | D-Helena | 72% | 67% w/ Rs 97% w/ Ds |
| HD 84 | D-Helena | 70% | 66% w/ Rs 96% w/ Ds |
| HD 89 | D-Missoula | 74% | 69% w/ Rs 98% w/ Ds |
| HD 90 | D-Missoula | 72% | 67% w/ Rs 95% w/ Ds |
| HD 91 | D-Missoula | 73% | 68% w/ Rs 98% w/ Ds |
| HD 94 | D-Missoula | 74% | 69% w/ Rs 95% w/ Ds |
| HD 95 | D-Missoula | 72% | 67% w/ Rs 94% w/ Ds |
| HD 98 | D-Missoula | 77% | 72% w/ Rs 94% w/ Ds |
| HD 99 | D-Missoula | 74% | 69% w/ Rs 97% w/ Ds |
| HD 100 | D-Missoula | 63% | 57% w/ Rs 88% w/ Ds |
Voting metrics based on 722 votes recorded on the House floor through 3/1/21.
House bills before the House (in their first chamber)
In initial committees
Committees serve as a first line of review, deciding which bills to advance for floor debate.
Showing 15 of 220.
Out of committee, awaiting floor debate
Bills can sometimes be rereferred to a second committee.
| HB 46: Revise special education funding | First chamber Out of committee |
| HB 72: Revise funding for highway patrol retirement system HPORS | First chamber Out of committee |
| HB 147: Establish the Montana hunters and anglers community fund | First chamber Out of committee |
| HB 158: Create study commission to review covid-19 statute & rule suspensions | First chamber Out of committee |
| HB 170: Revise laws to include renewable hydrogen | First chamber Out of committee |
Showing 5 of 52.
Through floor debate
Second reading votes, the first vote bills typically receive from the full House, occur following floor debate. Bills don't officially pass the House until a final, third reading vote.
| HB 91: Revise violent offender registry laws | First chamber Passed second reading vote |
| HB 155: Revise laws related to reimbursement for certain Medicaid services | First chamber Passed second reading vote |
| HB 333: Generally revise laws related to sexual and violent offenders | First chamber Passed second reading vote |
| HB 350: Generally revise school bus laws | First chamber Passed second reading vote |
| HB 356: Prohibit anonymous reporting of child abuse and neglect cases | First chamber Passed second reading vote |
Showing 5 of 60.
House bills passed by the House
Transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
Senate bills before the House (in their second chamber)
Bills passed by the Senate and transmitted to the House for a second round of consideration.
Transmitted to House
| SB 201: Revise avoided cost rate-making | Second chamber Transmitted |
| SB 217: Revise laws relating to psychiatric collaborative care | Second chamber Transmitted |
| SB 265: Revising electrical generation arbitration laws | Second chamber Transmitted |
| SB 266: Revise unfair trade to include certain actions related to electric generation | Second chamber Transmitted |
Showing 4 of 4
In initial committees
| SB 7: Revise tax credit for energy-conserving expenditures | Second chamber In committee |
| SB 13: Revise DNRC adjudication benchmarks | Second chamber In committee |
| SB 16: Allow minors to consent to emergency shelter and services | Second chamber In committee |
| SB 20: Clarifying use of river basin councils | Second chamber In committee |
| SB 29: Revise weather modification and control laws | Second chamber In committee |
Showing 5 of 110.
Out of committee, awaiting floor debate
None at present
Through floor debate
| SB 132: Require accommodations to employer-mandated vaccinations to be uniformly offered | Second chamber Tabled |
Showing 1 of 1
House bills passed by both chambers
In reconcilation
House bills passed by the House and then passed by the Senate with amendments. If the House doesn't vote to accept the changes, lawmakers must negotiate a version of the bill that can pass both chambers.
| HB 103: Revise cooperative laws to provide for remote participation | Reconciliation In reconciliation |
| HB 193: Allow unlimited winnings for sports boards | Reconciliation In reconciliation |
Showing 2 of 2
In administrative review
Bills in their final enrolling process before transmittal to the governor.
| HB 136: Establish pain-capable unborn child protection act Broadly restricts abortions after 20 weeks | Through Legislature Passed both chambers |
| HB 140: Requiring the provision of information before the performance of an abortion Requires medical providers to offer patients an ultrasound before an abortion | Through Legislature Passed both chambers |
| HB 143: Provide incentives for increasing starting teacher pay | Through Legislature Passed both chambers |
| HB 171: Adopt the Montana Abortion-Inducing Drug Risk Protocol Act Requires abortion-inducing medication to be distributed in person | Through Legislature Passed both chambers |
Showing 4 of 4
Transmitted to Governor
Bills passed by both chambers and transmitted to the governor for his signature are available here.
House Bills becoming law
Bills that have passed all three key procedural hurdles: The House, Senate and governor.
| HB 1: Feed Bill to fund 67th Legislative session and prepare for 2023 | Passed Became Law |
| HB 3: Supplemental Appropriations Bill | Passed Became Law |
| HB 15: Implement K-12 Inflation Major school funding measure | Passed Became Law |
| HB 23: Revise tax lien and tax deed process | Passed Became Law |
| HB 26: Clarify the definition of pupil | Passed Became Law |
Showing 5 of 16.
House Bills killed in process
In rare situations, dead bills can resurrected with supermajority votes. Bills tabled in committee are often headed toward death but aren't classified as such until they miss a procedural deadline.
| HB 24: Create disaster resiliency fund | Failed Probably Dead |
| HB 27: Authorize school districts to create "handle with care" programs | Failed Probably Dead |
| HB 101: Establish Montana brownfields revitalization act | Failed Probably Dead |
| HB 113: Provide for youth health protection Prohibits hormonal treatments and gender surgeries for transgender youth | Failed Probably Dead |
| HB 118: Revising administrative requirements for State Fund | Failed Probably Dead |
Showing 5 of 36.
House resolutions and voter referendum proposals
House resolutions pass with approval from the House, while joint resolutions and voter referendum proposals need approval from the House and Senate. Resolutions and referendum proposals don't require approval from the governor.
Proposed
| HR 1: Resolution to support health care workers | First chamber Out of committee |
| HJ 2: Revenue estimating resolution | First chamber In committee |
| HJ 3: Joint resolution regarding Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks | First chamber Tabled in committee |
| HR 3: Resolution for a U.S. Constitutional amendment regarding campaign contributions | First chamber In committee |
| HJ 4: Study criminal proceedings and commitment of people with mental illness | Second chamber In committee |
Showing 5 of 30.
Passed
| HR 2: House rules resolution | Passed Became Law |
Showing 1 of 1
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.