Article Summary –
A veto override attempt on Montana’s marijuana revenue bill failed, with the override poll garnering only 41 “yes” votes from state representatives and 14 from state senators, falling short of the required two-thirds majority. The proposed Bill 442 would have reallocated tax revenues from Montana’s adult-use marijuana program to fund conservation, veteran services, and local infrastructure projects. Following Gov. Greg Gianforte’s veto on the bill, proponents expressed disappointment and pledged to reintroduce similar legislation in 2025.
Montana’s Marijuana Revenue Bill Veto Override Fails
An attempt to override Governor Greg Gianforte’s veto on a bill regarding marijuana revenue, which was widely supported by the bipartisan Montana Legislature, has failed, as per poll results released on Friday.
The mail ballot override poll, conducted by the Montana secretary of state’s office, fell short of the required two-thirds majority, with only 41 affirmative votes from state representatives and 14 from state senators.
The legislation, Senate Bill 442, proposed by Sen. Mike Lang, R-Malta, aimed to restructure the allocation of tax revenues from Montana’s adult-use marijuana program. It proposed directing funds towards conservation, trails programs, veteran services, and local infrastructure projects.
Gianforte vetoed the bill, citing concerns about the creation of a continuous state funding stream for county road projects typically funded by local jurisdictions. This veto on the final day of the legislative session prompted legal disputes which eventually led to the mail poll.
Criticism and Support for the Bill
While some, like Senate President Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, called the poll unconstitutional and urged lawmakers not to participate, others like Lang and many Democrats publicly supported the legislation.
Advocates of the bill, including Democrats and groups like the Montana Wildlife Federation, Wild Montana, and the Montana Association of Counties, expressed disappointment over the outcome. They criticized what they called the governor’s delay tactics and political maneuvers and pledged to introduce similar legislation in 2025.
With Senate Bill 442’s failure, Montana’s marijuana tax revenue will continue to be distributed as per a law passed by the 2021 Legislature. The allocations will go to an addiction treatment fund, wildlife habitat work, parks and trails, and the state General Fund.
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