Okay, so we voted. Now, more important than voting is staying on top of what is happening in Helena and Washington, D.C., and how our Representatives and Senators are voting. I urge you to take the initiative and do your own research.
Your understanding and involvement are crucial.
In Montana, use your search bar to go to Legmt.gov. There, you can find everything you need to follow a bill or contact those who work for us.
Under that site, you can find a button for Bills, which will answer all your questions. It even gives you the four top questions asked: How do I find a bill if I only know pa9rt of the title? Can I follow multiple bills all at once? How often is the Bill Explorer updated? How do I know which legislator sponsored a bill?
Under the Participate Button, you’ll find a watch/Listen button. All legislative meetings are conveniently streamed online, allowing you to watch them live or after they are over. This easy access ensures that you can be part of the process, no matter where you are.
On that site, you will find the following ways to participate: “You may sign up to testify remotely using Zoom up to two (2) hours before a meeting’s scheduled start time. Once you successfully submit your information, you will be emailed the Zoom link to participate. That link is specific to you, so please do not share it. Through the Legislative Public Participation application, you can sign up to remotely testify on both bill hearings and in front of committees on topics open for public comment. This application will also allow you to submit written testimony and comments on a bill to a committee or directly to a legislator. If participating remotely, rules of decorum must be followed, and the Presiding Officer will let you know when they accept comments from those on Zoom. Follow the directions provided in your email and raise your hand to let the meeting coordinator know when you want to speak. Please be advised that there may be limits placed on how many people are allowed to testify remotely and what time restrictions are being imposed.”
Call 406-444-4800 to reach the Information Desk and send a message to a committee or legislator.
You may also choose to attend all legislative meetings; they’re usually crowded. But everyone should, at some point in their lives, witness the process in action. Your presence and engagement are important.
Everyone should know this, but just in case: The House of Representatives has 100 members elected to two-year terms. All members are elected every two years. The Senate is made up of 50 members elected to four-year terms. Montanan elects half of the 50 members every two years.
You can find every member of Congress on the site, but I have listed here the ones I think most of us would contact: Ed Buttrey, Ed.Buttrey@legmt; 406-871-6001; Josh Kassmier, Josh.Kassmier@legmt.gov 406-781-5386; Russ Tempel, Russ.Tempel@legmt.gov (406) 265-0990; Paul Tuss, Paul Tuss, Paul.Tuss@legmt.gov 406-945-0412.
On Legmt.gov, Under Bills, there is a tab for the 2025 Legislative Billboard and Event Calendar, which lets you know exactly what is happening that day and at what time.
An interesting tab is Law, which has a lot of important information, including Montana State Statutes and the state constitution.
Federally, you should contact Troy Downing and Washington, DC. The phone number is 202-225-3211. His Helena Office phone is 406-502-1435. Senator Steve Daines’s phone number in Washington is 202-224-2651, and his Billings Number is 406-245-6822. Newly elected Senator Tim Sheehy Washington’s number is 202-224-2644
