EBS STAFF
The Gallatin County Commission united with counties across Montana to support Senate Bill 442, a piece of legislation that would direct revenue from taxes on marijuana sales toward road and transportation infrastructure. Gov. Greg Gianforte vetoed the bill, which was a topic of controversy throughout 2023.
Gallatin County Commissioner Scott MacFarlane signed a letter along with commissioners across the state to support the bill and urge legislators to vote in support of Senate Bill 442 in a veto poll.
“Marijuana revenues are new to Montana, and the bill’s thoughtful distribution of this higher-than-expected new revenue stream included some funding for county roads,” the Montana Association of Counties wrote in its March 26 “Letter to the Citizens of Montana” addressing state politicians and the public.
“[Senate Bill] 442 was good policy when it passed by a supermajority in both the House and Senate. It was good policy when the Executive [Gianforte] exercised his veto authority. It was good policy when the Court ordered the Secretary of State to poll the legislators,” the letter states. “And if those legislators evaluate the merits of the bill and vote according to their constituent needs, it will become good policy for the State of Montana.”
A veto poll was sent in late March to give lawmakers the right to override Gov. Gianforte’s veto in a mail-in vote. According to Montana Code, if two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate vote to override, SB 442 would become law.
