Senator Becky Beard (SD 38): 2025 Legislative Update

Four weeks into the legislative session, the Senate Republicans are fully engaged to deliver on the promises by which we were elected. One of the top priorities approaching this session was property tax relief, with both the House and the Senate considering how to properly provide relief without neglecting local budgets, businesses, and schools. A group of bills have been introduced to address these concerns, and others will make their way to the chamber as the session continues.

In addition to property tax relief, judicial reform has been a main focus as well, aiming to rein in the overreach of the courts. The package of reform bills contained 27 pieces of legislation, and the Senate has already deliberated on a dozen of these measures.

Property taxes and judicial reform, though important, are not the only priorities of the legislature. In response to the Held v. Montana case in the Supreme Court, a decision that will cause unnecessary delays and costly procedures to the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), my fellow Senator, Wylie Galt (R-Martinsdale), introduced SB 221 to streamline the greenhouse gas emissions assessments that are now required. This bill ensures that Montana's environmental reviews for fossil fuels are clear, efficient, and based in common sense.

On the personal side, my recent efforts have been directed toward protecting private property in Montana. SB 101 is a measure that I introduced to enhance safeguards for property owners against squatters, and SB 146 is another proposal I sponsored that creates the Private Property Protection Act in Montana code.

Amongst all the hard work and negotiations, my overall goal remains the same: to minimize government and taxation burdens while promoting the success of Montana's education, our economy, and our rule of law. Over the interim, I'll continue to work for the improvement and preservation of our Montana way of life.

Working with the incredible Legislative staff during the Session, it is my honor and privilege to serve the voters of Senate District 38 and our state. You can access information about the bills passed by going to the Montana Legislative website, http://www.legmt.gov.

As always, please feel free to contact me at becky.beard@legmt.gov. Thank you.