Montana News Roundup: Term-Limit Fight, Data Center Ballot Suit and More

Published Aug 15, 2026 · Community · Red Rock Daily staff

Here’s a roundup of recent Montana news: a new attorney general opinion on term limits is colliding with the ballot-certification deadline, a Butte nonprofit is suing over a data center ballot initiative, a suspended Public Service Commissioner is fighting to return to work, and more.

Knudsen’s term-limit opinion races the ballot-certification clock

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen this week rescinded and replaced a 2012 legal opinion that has guided enforcement of legislative term limits for 14 years (Montana Free Press, Aug. 14, 2026). Under Knudsen’s interpretation, Rep. Llew Jones, R-Conrad, is not eligible to run for Senate District 9 in 2026, and Sen. Steve Fitzpatrick, R-Great Falls, would also be ineligible for the ballot under the opinion (MTFP, Aug. 14, 2026). A request for a temporary restraining order was filed Friday to prevent the opinion from taking effect, and Montana’s secretary of state must certify candidates by Aug. 20 — 75 days before the Nov. 3 general election (MTFP, Aug. 14, 2026).

Butte nonprofit sues county over data center ballot initiative reversal

406 People First, the group behind a Butte data center ballot initiative, sued Butte-Silver Bow County after election officials reversed the group’s signature-gathering deadline (Montana Free Press, Aug. 14, 2026). Founder Denise Kelly said the group submitted more than 4,500 signatures on July 31 and was initially told the requirement had been met, but about 10 days later officials said the petition would not be accepted due to a Montana law calling the July 13 signature deadline into question (KTVH, Aug. 14, 2026). A district court judge temporarily ordered county officials to ensure the initiative gets on the November ballot, with a hearing set for Aug. 19 (MTFP, Aug. 14, 2026). Washington state-based Sabey Data Centers backed out of its Butte agreement in May but is still exploring other sites in southwest Montana (MTFP, Aug. 14, 2026).

Molnar asks judge to block his one-year suspension from Montana PSC

Suspended Public Service Commissioner Brad Molnar asked District Judge Mike Menahan to block his one-year suspension before Gov. Greg Gianforte can pick a temporary replacement (KTVH, Aug. 14, 2026). Gianforte suspended Molnar last month citing an investigation report that alleged “repeated and unwelcome sex-based remarks” and unprofessional conduct toward staff; Molnar’s attorney argued he was denied due process (KTVH, Aug. 14, 2026). Molnar claims the suspension is tied to his skepticism toward NorthWestern Energy’s pending merger with Black Hills Energy, and 350 Montana and the Montana Farmers Union filed their own suit asking to delay the merger while Molnar remains suspended (KTVH, Aug. 14, 2026).

Daines joins bipartisan bill to fund non-lethal wildlife conflict tactics

Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., and Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., introduced the Human-Wildlife Conflict Reduction Act on Aug. 4, which would provide up to $20 million a year through 2031 for range riders, guard dogs, electric fencing and similar non-lethal measures to protect livestock from wolves and bears (Montana Free Press, Aug. 10, 2026). Wolves killed 68 livestock in Montana in 2025, according to the most recent Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks report — lower than the past decade’s average — and the state Livestock Loss Board paid ranchers $92,917 for federally confirmed kills in 2025 (MTFP, Aug. 10, 2026).

Tenant unions grow ranks as rents climb

After a Texas-based company bought Missoula’s Travois Village mobile home park and raised lot rents $200 a month, residents organized with the Missoula Tenants Union and negotiated a 3% cap on this year’s increase — no more than $19 (Montana Free Press, Aug. 10, 2026). The Missoula Tenants Union and Bozeman Tenants United, both formed in 2022, plan to bring tenant protections to the Montana Legislature in 2027 and collaborate with unions nationwide (MTFP, Aug. 10, 2026).

Medicaid work rule leaves homeless people in the cold

Montana is among the first states enforcing new federal Medicaid work requirements, and because homelessness isn’t an automatic exemption, advocates fear people with the greatest health needs could lose coverage over paperwork and bureaucratic hurdles (Montana Free Press, Aug. 6, 2026).

Helena officials: ‘Forever chemicals’ detection won’t delay school start

Helena school officials said the detection of “forever chemicals” will not delay the start of school (KTVH, Aug. 14, 2026).

Stillwater Mine union workers hold town hall as contract talks continue

Stillwater Mine union workers gathered for a town hall as contract negotiations continue (KTVH, Aug. 14, 2026).

New VA clinic nearly doubles space for Montana veterans

A new VA clinic nearly doubles the space available for Montana veterans (KTVH, Aug. 14, 2026).

For more on the Treasure State, see the Montana guide.