Jason Ellsworth

HB 300 makes it an unlawful discriminatory practice if an educational institution either allows biological males to compete in female school athletics or denies a student a single-sex area for changing, using the restroom, or sleeping. CPAC believes in protecting both women’s safety and achievement, and it supports this bill. HB 300 was passed by the Montana Senate in a 32-18 vote on March 20, 2025, and Governor Greg Gianforte signed the measure into law.

HB 121 ensures that single-sex environments in public buildings, including restrooms and changing rooms, remain exclusively for use by those of a single biological sex. CPAC advocates for the safety of women and children, so it supports this bill. HB 121 was passed by the Montana Senate in a 32-18 vote on February 11, 2025, and Governor Greg Gianforte signed the measure into law.

HB 337 reduces income taxes by expanding the range of the lower income tax bracket upward and decreasing the top bracket’s rate. CPAC believes that Montanans should be able to retain more of their hard-earned money, so it supports this bill. HB 337 was passed by the Montana Senate in a 34-16 vote on April 22, 2025, and Governor Greg Gianforte signed the measure into law.

HB 687 mandates that those who are 19 to 62 years of age meet work requirements to access Medicaid. Previously, only those aged 19 to 55 were obligated to follow these requirements. CPAC believes that individuals gain dignity when they are employed, and it supports this bill. HB 687 was passed by the Montana Senate in a 32-18 vote on April 12, 2025, and Governor Greg Gianforte signed the measure into law.

HB 291 prohibits state regulators from adopting air quality standards more stringent than federal standards. CPAC believes that aligning state and federal regulations will reduce complexity for businesses and developers, so it supports this bill. HB 291 was passed by the Montana Senate in a 30-19 vote on April 4, 2025, and Governor Greg Gianforte signed the measure into law.

HB 259 adjusts state laws related to hunting grey wolves, permitting hunters to utilize infrared and thermal imagery scopes at night on private property. Because grey wolves can have a devastating impact on ranchers and farmers, CPAC believes that hunters should be empowered to assist in managing the grey wolf population. Therefore, CPAC supports this bill. HB 259 was passed by the Montana Senate in a 32-18 vote on March 31, 2025, and Governor Greg Gianforte signed the measure into law.

HB 623 permits nuclear power plants to store spent nuclear fuel on their premises. CPAC believes that nuclear power is an essential part of America’s energy infrastructure, and it views this legislation as a reasonable accommodation for the nuclear industry. Therefore, CPAC supports this bill. HB 623 was passed by the Montana Senate in a 40-9 vote on April 7, 2025, and Governor Greg Gianforte signed the measure into law.

HB 696 provides a legal framework to build and operate uranium enrichment plants. CPAC believes that nuclear power is an essential part of America’s energy infrastructure, so it advocates for easing regulatory hurdles that impede nuclear development. Therefore, CPAC supports this bill. HB 696 was passed by the Montana Senate in a 37-11 vote on April 11, 2025, and Governor Greg Gianforte signed the measure into law.

HB 226 requires employers to verify the lawful employment status of hires using the E-Verify system or Form I-9 documentation. The bill also includes penalties for businesses that fail to comply with the law. CPAC believes this legislation will protect American jobs from illegal immigrants, so it supports this bill. HB 226 was passed by the Montana Senate in a 44-4 vote on April 10, 2025, and Governor Greg Gianforte signed the measure into law.

HB 818 prohibits foreign nationals from contributing resources to sway statewide ballot issues. CPAC believes that this is a sound way of limiting foreign influence in Montana’s elections and supports this bill. HB 818 was passed by the Montana Senate in a 37-13 vote on April 30, 2025, and Governor Greg Gianforte signed the measure into law.

HB 278 expands a peace officer’s ability to check an individual’s immigration status, and it requires a peace officer to file a report to federal immigration authorities if they encounter an illegal immigrant. CPAC believes this is a worthwhile effort to combat illegal immigration and supports this bill. HB 278 was passed by the Montana Senate in a 30-20 vote on April 1, 2025, and Governor Greg Gianforte signed the measure into law.

HB 214 allows state-level criminal prosecution of those being held in federal immigration detention. Moreover, the law also requires that a prosecutor notify the attorney general if they are not planning to bring charges so the attorney general can pursue charges instead. CPAC believes in holding illegal immigrants accountable for their criminality and supports this bill. HB 214 was passed by the Montana Senate in a 32-18 vote on March 24, 2025, and Governor Greg Gianforte signed the measure into law.

SB 218 creates a new legal process for minors harmed while receiving so-called “gender-affirming care” to seek civil damages. CPAC believes that those harmed by gender ideology should be given ample right to hold the medical system accountable, and it supports this bill. SB 218 was passed by the Montana Senate in a 32-18 vote on April 17, 2025, and Governor Greg Gianforte signed the measure into law.

HB 400 ensures that students and school employees are not penalized for using an individual’s biological pronouns or legal given name at public schools. CPAC believes this legislation protects the rights of students and school employees, and it supports this bill. HB 400 was passed by the Montana Senate in a 28-20 vote on April 11, 2025, and Governor Greg Gianforte signed the measure into law.

HB 682 requires insurance programs that cover gender transitions must also cover gender detransition treatment. CPAC supports this bill. The final version of HB 682 was passed by the Montana Senate in a 32-18 vote on April 30, 2025, and Governor Greg Gianforte signed the measure into law.

HB 245 makes Montana’s Medicaid expansion permanent, eliminating a regular sunset provision that requires legislative reauthorization. CPAC believes that making this program permanent will increase government dependency and spending, and it opposes this bill. HB 245 was passed by the Montana Senate in a 30-20 vote on February 27, 2025, and Governor Greg Gianforte signed the measure into law.

SB 326 extends and expands Montana’s film tax credit, ensuring the program lasts until 2045. CPAC believes that governments should not prop up favored industries and opposes this bill. SB 326 was passed by the Montana Senate in a 31-19 vote on April 29, 2025, and Governor Greg Gianforte signed the measure into law.

HB 456 gives workers at licensed day-care centers access to a state scholarship program. CPAC advocates against government programs that use taxpayer money to benefit a favored group of people, and it opposes this bill. HB 456 was passed by the Montana Senate in a 27-22 vote on April 25, 2025, but Governor Greg Gianforte vetoed the measure.