AGP Executive Report

Montana Federal Courts & Elections: The U.S. Senate confirmed Montana attorney Katie Lane as a lifetime federal district judge, 52-46, replacing retiring Judge Susan Watters—Republicans praised her constitutional focus while Democrats questioned her experience. Montana Water & Governance: The Montana Water Court gave final approval to the CSKT-Montana Water Compact, formally folding about 300 tribal water rights into the statewide system after years of negotiations and litigation. Montana Politics After Primaries: A political science professor says Montana’s House races are turning into national referendum-style campaigns, with candidates increasingly tied to the sitting president and party brands. Public Health & Federal Oversight: Two NIH Rocky Mountain Laboratory scientists were charged with allegedly smuggling deactivated mpox vials into the U.S. and lying to officials after a stop at Detroit Metro. Immigration Detention Scrutiny: The ACLU sued ICE over alleged inhumane conditions at Camp East Montana, while reports also describe measles-related quarantines and delayed notifications. Statewide Policy & Cost of Living: A budget group warns Social Security trust funds could run out by 2032, projecting average benefit cuts over $500/month in many states. Local Montana Government: Laurel’s council president will temporarily serve as mayor after Mayor Dave Waggoner’s resignation.

Montana Primary Fallout: Sam Forstag won the Democratic nomination in Montana’s 1st Congressional District, setting up a fall matchup with GOP Aaron Flint, who cruised to the Republican nod in the western House district. Election Administration: Hill County’s primary ballots couldn’t be electronically counted due to a ballot error, forcing hand counts across all 17 precincts. Federal Lab Case: Two Montana-linked scientists were charged with smuggling deactivated mpox vials into the U.S. and allegedly lying to investigators after a stop at Detroit Metro. Land Use & Public Lands: A lawsuit challenges the Forest Service’s plan to shrink “secure habitat” for grizzlies in a large deforestation project, while separate reporting says Montana’s Land Board sped up state land exchanges—shifting more power to the Land Board and raising concerns about political influence. Statehouse & Safety: Gov. Gianforte urged drivers to slow down and follow construction rules during the U.S. 89 bridge replacement work near Choteau. National Stakes: A new analysis warns Social Security could face an automatic 24% benefit cut in 2032, averaging about $500 per month nationwide.

Montana Federal Primaries: Former U.S. attorney Kurt Alme won the GOP nomination for Montana’s open U.S. Senate seat, setting up a November fight against the Democratic winner, Alani Bankhead, who also claimed her primary. Western Montana House Race: Conservative radio host Aaron Flint was projected to win the GOP primary for the 1st Congressional District, while Democrats chose a nominee in a four-way contest that includes Sam Forstag, Ryan Busse, and others. Eastern Montana House: Helena attorney Brian Miller won the Democratic primary for the eastern U.S. House seat, taking on incumbent Troy Downing in November. Statewide Utility Politics: Early returns showed Public Service Commissioner Annie Bukacek holding a narrow lead in her PSC district race, with key vote counts still incomplete. Public Health & Federal Oversight: Two Montana lab researchers were charged with smuggling deactivated mpox virus vials into the U.S. and lying to investigators. Land, Wildlife, and Courts: Conservation groups sued the Forest Service over a large grizzly habitat logging and burning project near Yellowstone connectivity corridors. National Policy Spillover: The Trump administration scrapped a nearly $1.8B DOJ “anti-weaponization” fund, potentially clearing the way for immigration/deportation funding talks. California Watch: California’s governor’s primary remained too close to call as ballots continued to be counted, with the top-two “jungle primary” spots still unsettled.

Montana Primaries & Election Watch: Voters in California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico and South Dakota head to the polls Tuesday, with Montana’s primary drawing heavy local attention as results roll in and election officials manage turnout and ballot logistics. Foster Care Push: Gov. Greg Gianforte announced Montana will join a Trump administration foster-care partnership aimed at expanding the ratio of foster homes to children, building on Montana’s reported drop in kids in care since 2021. Public Lands Access: A new Trump executive order rescinds older limits on motorized vehicle use on federal lands, a move that could reshape recreation and land-management rules across national forests and parks. Tribal Sovereignty & Buffalo: A viewpoint piece argues BLM’s revocation of American Prairie bison grazing permits is a direct hit to tribal food sovereignty and land access, framing it as a fight over who gets to decide land stewardship. Legal & Courts: The Ninth Circuit vacated an order requiring EPA to regulate drinking-water fluoridation under TSCA, while separate coverage highlights a Supreme Court fight over California’s DEI training mandates for medical professionals. Rail Oversight: The federal Surface Transportation Board paused the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger review, pressing for more detail amid growing opposition. State Government Accountability: Montana’s state auditor proposed steep fines and license revocations for Mr. Bail and its Billings manager after an investigation tied to a fatal Missoula shooting.

Montana Primary Countdown: More than 200,000 Montanans have already returned absentee ballots, with counties urging voters to fix common issues like missing birth years before the deadline; Gallatin County reported 18,304 absentee ballots received by early afternoon June 1, with thousands accepted and others awaiting verification. Election Administration: Missoula County tested ballot-counting machines with offline “island” setups and plans for post-election audits and hand-count checks. Tuesday Primaries National Stakes: Across six states, California and Iowa are the headline contests, with Democrats trying to defend ground and win new seats in November; California’s top-two system and Trump’s endorsements are shaping the governor race and other primaries. Trump and GOP Messaging: Trump continued late-night Truth Social attacks and issued fresh endorsements ahead of Tuesday’s primaries, including Montana-related support. Federal Policy Push: Senate Republicans face internal friction over Trump’s proposed “anti-weaponization fund,” with lawmakers pressing for clearer commitments before immigration and other agency funding moves. Foster Care Expansion in Montana: Gov. Gianforte announced Montana will join a federal effort to expand safe foster homes, citing a major drop in children in care since 2021.

U.S. Immigration Enforcement Under Fire: Civil rights groups filed a federal lawsuit over alleged “flagrant human rights abuses” at Camp East Montana in El Paso, claiming windowless enclosures, guard abuse, and inadequate medical and mental health care. Federal Appointments: Former Gallatin County Sheriff and Montana DOC director Brian Gootkin was sworn in as Montana’s U.S. Marshal, a Trump appointment confirmed after Gianforte named him corrections director in 2021. Public Lands & Conservation: The Greater Yellowstone Coalition added 161 acres near Yellowstone to protect against mining, while federal agencies finalized the Flathead Wild and Scenic River management plan after years of public input. Montana Politics Ahead of Tuesday Primary: Montana voters head to the polls to replace departing GOP incumbents in the U.S. Senate and House, with key Republican and Democratic contests shaping the November field. State Budget Watch: Montana reported $151 million in property tax revenue in Q2 2025, up 26.9% from the prior quarter, alongside broader tax collection gains. Cost Pressures in Montana: UM housing rent increases for University Villages kick in July 1, adding strain for students already squeezed by high living costs.

Immigration Detention Lawsuit: Civil rights groups (including the ACLU) sued ICE over alleged abuse and neglect at Camp East Montana on Fort Bliss, citing deaths, beatings, inadequate medical care, and violations found in a February inspection. Montana Politics & Public Safety: Sen. Tim Sheehy pressed for an HHS inspector general probe into Rocky Mountain Laboratories after a lab worker was reportedly bitten by a monkey infected with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, with critics alleging safety and reporting failures. GOP Agenda in Motion: A national GOP leadership update says immigration funding and Iran war-powers votes are threatening to stall the midterm-year agenda, with internal party friction adding pressure. State Governance: Michigan Democrats revived physician-assisted suicide legislation under a “Death with Dignity” framework, setting up a sharp partisan fight. Montana Military: Montana’s National Guard battalion redesignated and shifted mission focus, moving from heavier armored vehicles toward infantry squad vehicles. Wildlife Policy: States including Montana are using new funding mechanisms for wildlife crossings to cut animal-vehicle crashes, with Oregon adopting a dedicated wildlife hotel tax.

Immigration Courts & Rights: Civil rights groups including the ACLU and Human Rights Watch have filed a class-action lawsuit targeting ICE’s Camp East Montana at Fort Bliss in El Paso, alleging beatings, severe medical neglect, disease outbreaks, unsanitary conditions, and excessive solitary confinement; DHS denies the claims and points to an inspection that found 49 detention-standard violations. Montana Federal Oversight: Sen. Tim Sheehy is pushing for an HHS inspector general probe into Rocky Mountain Laboratories after reports of a monkey bite involving a deadly pathogen, raising fresh questions about lab safety and internal reporting. State & Local Governance: Gallatin County will hold a June 16 public hearing on dissolving the Belgrade City-County Planning Board and shifting Belgrade Area Planning Jurisdiction into the county planning board, with tax-rate changes effective July 1. Military Readiness: Montana National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 163rd Cavalry Regiment has been redesignated as the 1st Battalion, 163rd Infantry Regiment, moving from heavier armored vehicles toward infantry squad vehicles. Infrastructure & Montana’s Rail Stake: A proposed $85B Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger is drawing scrutiny, with Montana’s rail landscape dominated by BNSF—raising the question of how a mostly out-of-state deal could still reshape Montana’s transportation and economy.

Immigration Courts & Civil Rights: Civil rights groups including the ACLU and Human Rights Watch sued ICE over alleged “inhumane” conditions at Camp East Montana in El Paso, seeking to halt operations and citing violent use of force, medical neglect, solitary confinement, inadequate food, disease outbreaks, and other detention-standard violations. Montana Elections: With Montana’s June 2 primary approaching, coverage highlights the crowded U.S. Senate field and the Montana House/PSC races shaping who controls key policy levers, plus how outside money and mailers are trying to define “Republican” in the 2027 Legislature. State Government & Policy: Attorney General Tim Griffin led a multistate amicus brief challenging the SEC’s Consolidated Audit Trail over financial-data privacy and statutory authority. Local Governance: Missoula County delayed again a Bonner data center review after the applicant failed to provide required materials. Public Lands & Access: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is seeking public input on the long-running “corner crossing” debate, balancing private property rights with access to surrounding public land. Agriculture & Growth: Gov. Gianforte’s 56-county tour spotlighted Hi-Line producers and the push for more in-state processing capacity. Veterans & Health: A Montana/Wyoming stop on a national influencer tour spotlighted veteran suicide and support efforts, while Montana’s prison system is also drawing attention for a trafficking-focused survey inside the women’s prison.

Elections & Voting Rights: The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let states purge voter rolls for noncitizens close to elections, a move voting-rights groups warn could disenfranchise Americans. Montana Primary Countdown: Montana’s June 2 primary is set, with federal races driving most of the attention, including the open MT-01 U.S. House seat after Ryan Zinke’s late exit. Campaign Finance & Party Purity: Outside groups are pouring millions into Montana legislative primaries to define “Republican,” targeting centrist conservatives and fueling a GOP infighting fight. Public Utilities & Cost of Living: Five candidates are vying for two Montana Public Service Commissioner seats, with power-bill oversight front and center. Healthcare Policy: Montana is preparing to implement Medicaid work requirements, but budget strain at health agencies could complicate keeping eligible adults covered. Land Use & Access: Missoula County approved Frenchtown zoning that could block a planned travel plaza near I-90, while FWP is seeking public input on the long-running “corner crossing” public-land access debate. Courts & Privacy: Montana AG Tim Griffin led a multistate amicus brief challenging the SEC’s Consolidated Audit Trail, arguing it’s an unlawful surveillance tool that threatens financial privacy. Public Safety & Justice: A federal court filing alleges Montana PSC leadership tried to “scrub” an email and retaliated against an HR director, and Billings police are searching for a missing 75-year-old woman.

Montana Politics & Elections: A bipartisan bloc of Montana state senators is pressing Jonathan “Windy Boy” to resign over sexual abuse allegations, with at least 39 senators backing the call and leadership already removing him from interim committees. Election Integrity: Missoula County election officials warn voters to return only one ballot in the June 2 primary, saying hundreds of ballots were rejected for multiple submissions. State Government Accountability: Montana Public Service Commission leadership is facing a federal fight after Commissioner Brad Molnar alleges PSC tried to “scrub” an email and “destroy evidence,” and fired an HR director in retaliation. Federal Policy Impact in Montana: Montana is set to implement Medicaid work requirements July 1, but budget strain and staffing could make the “checks” difficult as federal rules shift costs to states. Tribal Water: The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes won final approval of the CSKT-Montana Water Compact from the Montana Water Court, ending years of negotiations and litigation. Public Safety & Rights: A Montana senator is demanding an IG review of NIH’s Montana lab after biosafety lapses tied to deadly pathogens. Immigration Enforcement Backdrop: DHS custody deaths hit an all-time high this year, with suicides rising sharply amid expanded detention.

Montana Primary Politics: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez campaigned in Missoula for Democratic MT-01 hopeful Sam Forstag, framing the race around affordability and fighting “oligarchy,” as Forstag targets Ryan Zinke’s record and pledges to defend working people. Statehouse Accountability: A bipartisan supermajority of Montana senators called on Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy to resign amid long-running sexual harassment allegations, arguing the controversy is undermining public trust. Elections Administration: Flathead County election officials reported an unusually high early rejection rate tied to multi-party voting, warning absentee voters to follow signature-envelope rules to avoid invalid ballots. Courts & Rules: The Montana Supreme Court is seeking public comment on proposed Montana Rules of Evidence updates, including provisions touching generative AI-created or altered evidence. Public Safety: Montana Highway Patrol and local agencies are stepping up enforcement for the “100 deadliest days,” with DUI- and drug-related fatal crashes rising despite overall fatality declines. Immigration Enforcement: Gallatin County will pause its 287(g) ICE partnership unless commissioners ratify it in a July public meeting, after a lawsuit challenged whether the 2020 deal was properly approved. Health Care Dollars: New federal Medicaid spending snapshots show sharp local increases in categories like Ronan “Procedures/Professional Services” and Malta alcohol/drug treatment, underscoring how public health funding shifts community by community.

Montana Politics: A bipartisan supermajority of Montana state senators (40 of 50) has signed a letter urging Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy to resign amid long-running sexual misconduct allegations, even as he denies wrongdoing and says he’s entitled to due process. Elections & Voting Rights: The Trump administration is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to let states purge voter rolls for noncitizens close to elections, a move critics say could disenfranchise eligible voters; the case centers on Arizona’s proof-of-citizenship rules. Public Lands & Wildlife: Interior is proposing to open more than 95% of National Wildlife Refuge System lands to hunting and sport fishing, including expanded access in Montana parks. Immigration Enforcement: An AP investigation reports an alarming surge in suicides among ICE detainees, raising scrutiny of detention conditions and oversight. Rail & Federal Regulation: Federal regulators paused the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger and asked for more details, while multiple Republican attorneys general—including Montana’s—argue the filing remains incomplete and threatens competition. Local Governance: Helena-area parents and a new nonprofit are raising $115,000 to add high school baseball in Helena, with a June vote looming.

Montana Primary Prep: With the June 2 election two weeks out, Yellowstone County election judges are running public tests of high-speed ballot scanners, while the Montana Secretary of State urges voters to return ballots in person and follow the updated signature envelope rules (birth year required). Independent Ballot Access: Former UM president Seth Bodnar says he has cleared Montana’s independent signature threshold for the U.S. Senate ballot, as election staff continue verifying petitions. GOP Party Tensions: A new report says Gov. Greg Gianforte is backing some federal candidates but avoiding explicit endorsements in contested legislative primaries, even as many GOP lawmakers say the state party is “purging” moderates. Biosecurity Accountability: Sen. Tim Sheehy demands an HHS Inspector General probe into alleged biosafety lapses at NIH’s Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton. Local Government Watch: Billings City Council voted to move the airport toward an independent authority model, and Polson’s city commission is weighing next steps for the Polson Bay Golf Course lease. Cost-of-Living Poll: A Montana Free Press-Eagleton poll finds most voters are struggling with fuel, healthcare, and groceries.

Medicaid & budgets: Montana is moving to implement Trump’s Medicaid work rules fast, but clinicians warn the state may lack the capacity to handle new checks while already-strained staffing and low payments make it harder for patients to get care. Immigration enforcement oversight: An AP investigation highlights rising ICE detainee suicides, pointing to failures in mental health oversight amid aggressive deportation operations. Anti-fraud politics: Democratic state attorneys general say their experts were blocked from a JD Vance anti-fraud meeting, while Montana AG Austin Knudsen is pushing the crackdown line. Public lands & wildfire readiness: A new warning says the West is heading into a dangerous wildfire season with weakened response capacity and staffing shortfalls. Courts & forests: A Ninth Circuit fight over U.S. Forest Service logging “categorical exclusions” could reshape how wildfire-reduction projects are approved in places like the Beartooths and Pryors. Elections & ballot access: Independent Senate candidate Seth Bodnar outraised Kurt Alme in filings and says he’s submitted enough signatures to qualify. Local governance: Lincoln County seeks bids for a county printing contract, a reminder that small procurement decisions still shape day-to-day government.

Immigration Oversight Crisis: A new AP investigation says ICE detainees are dying by suicide at an “alarming” pace, with experts pointing to failures in care and oversight—highlighting cases like a Missouri detainee whose mental health requests were delayed. Water & Courts: A federal appeals panel tossed a judge’s fluoride ruling, saying the lower court “commandeered” the case—meaning EPA likely won’t have to redo fluoride limit reviews. Montana Ballot Deadline: Independent U.S. Senate candidate Seth Bodnar says he’s submitted far more than the 13,327-signature threshold, with signatures due today for ballot qualification. Rail Merger Pushback: Six state attorneys general urged the Surface Transportation Board to reject the UP–Norfolk Southern merger as incomplete. Local Water Fight: Crazy Mountain Ranch is asking a Park County court for “exclusive authority” to manage a ditch tied to its controversial golf course. Memorial Day Politics: A DNC Memorial Day post drew backlash for politicizing military deaths.