By Jen Clancey STAFF WRITER
Senate Bill 260 is headed to the Montana House after a successful third reading on the senate floor on Saturday, April 5. The district boundary bill, which addresses hospital district debates between the Madison Valley Hospital District and Big Sky residents within Madison County lines, narrowly passed with two votes, 25-23.
Sen. Greg Hertz (R–Polson) presented the bill on Friday, starting a discussion about the bill’s implications for the communities of Big Sky and Ennis. Big Sky is an unincorporated area, with a portion of its residents living in Madison County, and the majority in Gallatin County. The town of Ennis is separated from Big Sky by a privately operated road.
Madison County residents within Big Sky attempted to withdraw from the MVHD in 2024 and 2025, but were unable to leave due to unsuccessful public hearings with the Madison County Commission.
If the groups withdraw, they would consequently join a soon-to-be-formed Big Sky wellness district. Withdrawal would pull Big Sky Madison County residents’ tax dollars from the MVHD and redirect them to the wellness district, and in an updated version of the bill, the withdrawal of tax dollars would happen over the course of three years. Other amended portions of the bill include specific rules for the relationship between Ennis and Big Sky School Districts.
