A hearing has been set for Wednesday in a constitutional debate between Montana’s governor and secretary of state.
Late last week a District Judge in Helena temporarily blocked Republican Secretary of State Corey Stapleton from enrolling into law a bill to change the state’s definition of wild bison.
Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock vetoed that bill in April. However Stapleton says Bullock missed a 10-day deadline to file the veto to the secretary's office, which allowed the bill to become law.
The governor’s office says that deadline doesn’t exist and filed a lawsuit against Stapleton Friday.
Stapleton’s office has not publicly commented on the case since the lawsuit was filed. His office has not responded to MTPR interview requests.
The first hearing is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon in front of Judge Michael McMahon.