Ron Marshall found himself overwhelmed in the Montana Legislature, facing intense political battles over nicotine products that were unlike anything he had previously encountered. As chair of the House Human Services Committee in 2025, he was caught between Big Nicotine and health advocacy groups like the heart and lung associations, which strongly opposed health-damaging products. However, the significant lobbying efforts by tobacco companies promoting House Bill 525 took him by surprise. This bill intended to reduce the variety of vape products available in Montana and marked one of the year’s most costly lobbying efforts.
During the first four months, 474 groups spent over $9.3 million to influence the fate of numerous bills, according to data from the Montana Commissioner of Political Practices. Tobacco companies alone spent $219,151, with Altria more than doubling its 2023 spending. “They have this PMTA list of approved products, 26 approved,” said Marshall, referring to the FDA’s Premarket Tobacco Product Application list of new nicotine products. Big Nicotine’s influence was evident as it aimed to dominate the product list.
In the session’s midst, Marshall resigned, acknowledging the insurmountable lobbying efforts. HB 525, which could have banned refillable vapes, died post-resignation. Major lobbying issues included nicotine, labor, and the politicization of judicial races, with key players being in-state stakeholders and Republican-linked nonprofit groups.
The Montana Federation of Public Employees led spending with $179,079 on 262 bills, achieving a 65% success rate. Comparatively, the Montana Chamber of Commerce spent $122,000 on 164 bills, achieving a 75% success rate. MFPE President Amanda Curtis highlighted that union members drive the lobbying process, focusing on topics like Medicaid expansion, public lands, and teacher pay increases.
The Service Employees International Union 775 ranked third in spending at $138,045, with half of its lobbied bills aligning with its positions. Montana Citizens for Right to Work, second in spending at $139,541, focused on Senate Bill 376, which aimed to abolish mandatory union dues but failed twice in one day. Before its Senate hearing, union advocates formed a strong presence, and the bill only had support from two right-to-work reps.
Other prominent spenders include Americans for Citizen Voting, pushing for constitution amendments to restrict voting to citizens. Following IRS revocation of its nonprofit status in 2022, ACV was funded by the Liberty Initiative Fund, associated with controversial voter fraud techniques. ACV Director Jack Tomczak supported Senate Bill 185, though it ultimately failed, leading to attack ads against dissenting lawmakers.
Judicial reform bills, challenging political separation between Montana courts and other government branches, attracted significant spending. The ACLU and ACLU of Montana opposed bills that threatened constitutional rights, spending nearly $250,000. A mix of bills led to seven out of 27 passing. Meanwhile, the Montana Family Foundation allocated $78,000 towards lobbying, supporting Senate Bill 42 for partisan judicial races.
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