Six Republican state lawmakers Thursday voted in disapproval of a proposed constitutional amendment to protect access to abortion. State Democrats declined to participate in the hearing.
The committee of lawmakers voted in what appears to be a symbolic gesture to stamp a disapproving review of the proposed amendment.
The Montana Supreme Court recently ruled the proposal could go straight to signature collection and a usual legislative review was not required because of a legal technicality. But, Republican lawmakers wanted to have their say.
During the hearing, legislative staff attorney Julianne Burkhardt explained the impact of the Court’s decision to the committee. Sen. Keith Regier, a Republican from Kalispell, asked for clarification.
“The result of this committee’s vote — how and when will that be attached to the initiative?” Regier asked.
“Madame chair, Sen. Regier, it won’t be,” Burkhardt said.
Under the standard procedure, a committee of lawmakers can vote on whether to approve or disapprove of a ballot initiative, which is then indicated on the forms used to collect signatures from voters.
Democratic leaders in the state House and Senate called the hearing a “sham” in a statement.
Almost all members of the public who testified opposed the amendment. Many said its language was too broad.
The initiative’s backers face a mid-June deadline to collect 60,000 signatures from across the state needed to qualify it for the ballot.
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A Helena judge struck down several laws restricting abortion access and ruled they’re unconstitutional. The laws and one state health department rule were adopted by Republican policymakers in 2023. -
Montana lawmakers are once again considering bills that would restrict abortion access. Some of the legislation may directly conflict with the state’s new voter-approved constitutional right to abortion. -
Montana voters approved a constitutional amendment in November to protect access to abortion. What would federal anti-abortion laws mean for Montana's new amendment? -
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on whether minors can get an abortion without parental consent. -
Montana abortion providers will not be subject to new, stringent regulations adopted by the state health department. A judge blocked the rules while a lawsuit plays out. Two Montana clinics sued the state, saying they’ve been singled out for stricter regulation as abortion providers.
