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 judge dismisses a challenge to the 2024 initiative that enshrined abortion access in Montana’s Constitution; The BLM revokes bison grazing permits for American Prairie reserve; USDA grants an extension for rural water system program. -
A court case out of Louisiana temporarily halted Montanans’ ability to get abortion medications by mail. The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily halted that decision. A ruling by the high court against mailing medication would impact rural women the most. -
Briefs: A temporary block on abortion restrictions will remain in place as a lawsuit challenging them continues; The public can weigh-in on Lolo National Forest plan revisions; UM plans April 6 public forum with university president candidate.
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In Montana, abortion access has been at times illegal, legal, and stuck in limbo. Providers have weathered bombings and arson, advocates and opponents have battled it out in court, and citizens have passed a constitutional amendment affirming a woman's right to choose. One listener wants to know more about the history of reproductive rights in Montana. MTPR's Aaron Bolton reports on the underground networks, political violence and landmark court cases that got us to where we are today. -
A conservative group is suing the state over a 2024 ballot initiative enshrining abortion access in the Montana Constitution. And Montanans will soon be able to apply for a property tax rebate approved by state lawmakers earlier this year.
