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Terry Nelson Voting Record & Scorecard | Christian Employers Alliance

MT Representative

District: 87 • Republican

2025 Alignment:

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Lifetime Ratings by Policy Category

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Rep. Terry Nelson (R-MT-87) is tracked on the Christian Employers Alliance legislative scorecard. Terry Nelson represents the 87th District in the Montana House of Representatives. Highest category scores: First Freedom (100%), Workforce Freedom (100%), and Operational Freedom (86%).

Title

Lawmaker Position

HB 12House 20252x

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending by Providing Over $5.9 Million for Historic Preservation Grants.

With CEA
This bill appropriates over $5.9 million to the Department of Commerce for 31 historic preservation grants, such as funding for the Carter County Geological Society, Yellowstone Art Museum, and Native American Development Corporation.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, charitable and cultural projects are best supported through voluntary community contributions rather than government funding. Responsible stewardship calls for limiting taxpayer subsidies for private organizations.
1 Samuel 8:10-18 – "Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, 'This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots... He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants... and you yourselves will become his slaves'"
Leadership Insight
Centralized power always demands sacrifice from the people. God warned Israel that human kings would grow government at the expense of liberty. Limited government protects freedom; expansive government enslaves. Leaders must resist the temptation to control what they should serve.
HB 19House 20251x

Strengthening Law and Order by Increasing Penalties for Theft.

With CEA
This bill increases penalties for several crimes, such as theft of property, failure to return rented or leased property, issuing a bad check, forgery, and identity theft. For example, a first offense of theft of property with a value of up to $1,500 now carries a sentence of up to 6 months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $1,500 (previously, no imprisonment and a maximum fine of $500).
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, justice and accountability are essential for maintaining order and protecting communities. Strengthening penalties for theft helps uphold respect for property and discourage wrongdoing.
Proverbs 21:15 – "When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers."
Leadership Insight
Justice is not neutral - it rewards righteousness and confronts evil. Leaders who execute justice faithfully create cultures where virtue thrives and corruption fears. Moral clarity strengthens societies; moral ambiguity weakens them.
HB 197House 20251x

Combatting Abuse of the Workers' Compensation System by Terminating Disability Benefits Once a Recipient is Released to Return to Full Duty.

With CEA
This bill provides that, when temporary disability benefit recipients are released to return to full duty, the benefits may be terminated when the recipient returns to work, or within 14 days after notice is given, whichever is earlier. Combatting fraud and abuse within the worker's compensation insurance system is critical to maintaining low premiums for businesses, which are forced to purchase coverage. Lawmakers have a duty to maintain the integrity of the system.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, honesty and accountability are important principles in systems that serve workers and employers. Protecting the integrity of workers’ compensation programs helps ensure they remain fair and sustainable.
Proverbs 14:23 – "All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty."
Leadership Insight
God blesses action more than intention. Productivity is not greed - it’s stewardship. Words build ideas; work builds Kingdom impact.
HB 201House 20251x

Protecting the State's Referendum and Initiative Process by Requiring Paid Signature Gatherer Disclosure.

With CEA
This bill requires paid signature gatherers for petitions to state their name, state of residence, and that they are a paid signature gatherer, to any person they approach to sign a petition for an initiative or referendum. The signature gatherers must also wear a badge containing this information. This measure helps protect the constitutional amendment process from abuse by special interests and other groups.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, transparency and honesty are important principles in civic engagement. Requiring disclosure by paid signature gatherers helps ensure voters are fully informed when participating in the initiative process.
Deuteronomy 16:18-20 – "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you."
Leadership Insight
Moses commands impartial justice - judges who follow "justice alone" without showing partiality. First Freedom depends on courts that protect religious liberty impartially, without favoring secular ideology over sincere faith. When judges show partiality against religious conviction, accepting the cultural bribes of elite approval, they pervert the justice God demands. First Freedom requires judges who fear God more than cultural pressure.
HB 285House 20252x

Protecting Against Government Overreach by Clarifying that the State's Environmental Protection Laws Do Not Grant Regulatory Authority to State Agencies.

With CEA
This bill clarifies that the purpose of requiring environmental assessments or environmental impact statements under the state's environmental protections laws is to assist lawmakers in evaluating regulations and inform the public and public officials of impact of agency actions. The bill clarifies that this it is not intended "to provide additional regulatory authority to a state agency." This bill will provide greater regulatory certainty which will boost business and economic growth.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, responsible stewardship of creation should be balanced with respect for human prosperity and responsible governance. Clarifying the limits of regulatory authority helps prevent excessive government control while maintaining transparency.
1 Samuel 8:10-18 – "Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, 'This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots... He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants... and you yourselves will become his slaves'"
Leadership Insight
Centralized power always demands sacrifice from the people. God warned Israel that human kings would grow government at the expense of liberty. Limited government protects freedom; expansive government enslaves. Leaders must resist the temptation to control what they should serve.
HB 292House 20251x

Protecting Free Speech and Combatting Frivolous Lawsuits Through Anti-SLAPP Protections.

With CEA
This bill enacts the "Uniform Public Expression Protection Act," which is an anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuits against public participation) law, which provides for expedited court proceedings in cases of frivolous lawsuits designed to intimidate individuals engaging in First Amendment-protected speech. These protections apply to speech related to government proceedings or a "matter of public concern." For example, the bill generally requires courts to hold a hearing on dismissing the lawsuits within 60 days.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, freedom of speech is essential for individuals to express their beliefs and participate in public life. Protecting citizens from intimidation through frivolous lawsuits helps preserve open and honest dialogue.
Deuteronomy 16:18-20 – "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you."
Leadership Insight
Moses commands impartial justice - judges who follow "justice alone" without showing partiality. First Freedom depends on courts that protect religious liberty impartially, without favoring secular ideology over sincere faith. When judges show partiality against religious conviction, accepting the cultural bribes of elite approval, they pervert the justice God demands. First Freedom requires judges who fear God more than cultural pressure.
HB 2 (Crowe Amd. 003.001.D.010)House 20251x

Growing Government Dependency and Fueling Out-of-Control Spending by Appropriating Additional Funds for After School Youth Programs.

With CEA
The Crowe amendment #003.001.D.010 to the "The General Appropriations Act of 2025" adds a $300,000 appropriation in FY 2027 to the Department of Justice for the Montana Board of Crime Control "to increase grants to nonprofits operating after-school youth programs." The state must pursue every available avenue to rein in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, expanding government spending programs can shift responsibilities away from families, churches, and communities. Fiscal restraint helps protect taxpayers and encourage community-based solutions.
1 Samuel 8:10-18 – "Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, 'This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots... He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants... and you yourselves will become his slaves'"
Leadership Insight
Centralized power always demands sacrifice from the people. God warned Israel that human kings would grow government at the expense of liberty. Limited government protects freedom; expansive government enslaves. Leaders must resist the temptation to control what they should serve.
HB 2 (Howell Amd. 003.001.B.019)House 20252x

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending by Doubling the Appropriation for Community Crisis Beds.

With CEA
The Howell amendment #003.001.B.019 to "The General Appropriations Act of 2025" doubles funding for community crisis beds, from $1.25 million to $2.5 million in FY 2026 and FY 2027, using funds from the Behavioral Health Systems for Future Generations Fund. Community crisis beds are facilities for immediate stabilization and treatment for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis, primarily mental health or substance use-related emergencies. This amendment grows government dependency. The state must pursue every available avenue to rein in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, expanding government programs that increase dependency can weaken the role of families, churches, and communities in caring for those in need. Responsible stewardship calls for restraint in public spending.
Haggai 1:6 – "You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
Leadership Insight
When priorities drift from purpose, prosperity leaks away. God doesn’t bless motion - He blesses alignment. Economic freedom begins when stewardship follows divine order.
HB 2 (Mercer Amd. 003.001.B.014)House 20251x

Increasing Fiscal Responsibility by Eliminating an Excessive Appropriation for Food Banks.

Against CEA
The Mercer amendment #003.001.B.014 to "The General Appropriations Act of 2025" eliminates the $1 million appropriation to the Department of Public Health and Human Services from federal funds in FY 2026 and FY 2027 to increase funding for food banks. This amendment helps reduce government dependency. The state must pursue every available avenue to rein in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, responsible stewardship requires careful consideration of government spending priorities. Limiting unnecessary expenditures helps ensure resources are managed wisely.
Haggai 1:6 – "You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
Leadership Insight
When priorities drift from purpose, prosperity leaks away. God doesn’t bless motion - He blesses alignment. Economic freedom begins when stewardship follows divine order.
HB 2 (Mercer Amd. 003.001.B.015)House 20252x

Increasing Fiscal Responsibility by Blocking an Excessive Rate Hike for Government Contractors Providing Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

Against CEA
The Mercer amendment #003.001.B.015 to "The General Appropriations Act of 2025" eliminates the appropriation for a 14% rate increase for vocational rehabilitation providers in the Department of Public Health and Human Services Disability Employment and Transitions Division. This reduces spending by $600,000 in FY 2026 and $1,200,000 in FY 2027. This amendment helps reduce government dependency. The state must pursue every available avenue to rein in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, responsible stewardship requires limiting government spending when possible. Reducing unnecessary appropriations helps prevent waste and protect taxpayer resources.
Haggai 1:6 – "You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
Leadership Insight
When priorities drift from purpose, prosperity leaks away. God doesn’t bless motion - He blesses alignment. Economic freedom begins when stewardship follows divine order.
HB 2 (Mercer Amd. 003.001.B.018)House 20252x

Increasing Fiscal Responsibility by Eliminating an Excessive Appropriation for Mentorship Programs

Against CEA
The Mercer amendment #003.001.B.018 to "The General Appropriations Act of 2025" eliminates the $500,000 appropriation to the Department of Public Health and Human Services from federal funds in FY 2026 and FY 2027 to increase funding for organizations providing child mentorship programs. The state must pursue every available avenue to rein in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, responsible stewardship requires careful consideration of government spending priorities. Limiting unnecessary expenditures helps ensure resources are managed wisely.
1 Samuel 8:10-18 – "Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, 'This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots... He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants... and you yourselves will become his slaves'"
Leadership Insight
Centralized power always demands sacrifice from the people. God warned Israel that human kings would grow government at the expense of liberty. Limited government protects freedom; expansive government enslaves. Leaders must resist the temptation to control what they should serve.
HB 2 (Nicastro Amd. 003.001.B.006)House 20252x

Restraining Out-of-Control Spending by Cutting an Excessive Appropriation for Psychiatric Facilities.

Against CEA
The Nicastro amendment #003.001.B.006 to "The General Appropriations Act of 2025" eliminates the $1.237 million appropriation to the Department of Public Health and Human Services for increasing psychiatric residential treatment facility bed capacity. This amendment helps reduce excessive government spending for healthcare facility expansion that is best handled by private organizations. The state must pursue every available avenue to rein in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, responsible stewardship of public resources requires careful evaluation of government spending. Reducing unnecessary appropriations helps ensure taxpayer funds are used wisely.
Haggai 1:6 – "You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
Leadership Insight
When priorities drift from purpose, prosperity leaks away. God doesn’t bless motion - He blesses alignment. Economic freedom begins when stewardship follows divine order.
HB 2 (Schillinger Amd. 003.001.B.017)House 20251x

Restraining Runaway Spending by Cutting a Rate Hike for Air Ambulance Providers that Should be Privately Funded.

Against CEA
The Schillinger amendment #003.001.B.017 to "The General Appropriations Act of 2025" eliminates the $5,357,059 appropriation in FY 2026 and the $5,353,037 appropriation in FY 2027 to the Department of Public Health and Human Services for rate increases for air ambulance providers. These appropriations included $50,000 from the state general fund and the remainder from federal funds. This amendment helps reduce excessive government spending for rate increases for providers of a healthcare service that should be privately funded. The state must pursue every available avenue to rein in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, fiscal responsibility and stewardship call for careful limits on government spending. Eliminating unnecessary appropriations helps protect future generations from excessive financial burdens.
Haggai 1:6 – "You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
Leadership Insight
When priorities drift from purpose, prosperity leaks away. God doesn’t bless motion - He blesses alignment. Economic freedom begins when stewardship follows divine order.
HB 311House 20252x

Infringing Private Contracts Through a New Government Mandate Requiring Property Managers to Refund Application Fees.

Against CEA
This bill requires property managers of four or more residential units to refund application fees if a person does not end up signing a lease. Certain fees may be deducted from the refund. Property rights include the ability to set terms for use, access, and transactions involving one's real estate. By mandating refunds, the bill restricts how landlords can charge for pre-rental services like application processing, treating it as a regulated utility rather than a private business decision.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, individuals and businesses should be free to negotiate private agreements without unnecessary government mandates. Interference in private contracts can undermine fairness and responsible stewardship.
Isaiah 10:1-2 – "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless."
Leadership Insight
God pronounces woe on those who issue oppressive decrees - regulations, mandates, and compliance requirements that crush businesses and deprive workers of opportunity. Operational freedom fights the bureaucratic oppression that kills small businesses, prevents entrepreneurship, and protects established interests at the expense of new entrants. When licensing laws, zoning restrictions, and regulatory burdens make it impossible for the poor to start businesses, government becomes the oppressor Isaiah condemns.
HB 313 (House Version)House 20252x

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending by Providing $5 Million for Grants for Public Swimming Pools.

With CEA
This bill provides $5 million for grants to nonprofit organizations and localities to be used for public swimming pool infrastructure. Funds may be used for construction, remodeling, purchasing appliances, and other purposes. The bill requires matching funds for grants of $25,000 or more, and limits grants for a single project to $500,000. The private sector is the best equipped to provide swimming pool facilities through charitable endeavors and private operations, and this measure unnecessarily grows spending.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, recreational and community projects are often best supported through local initiative and voluntary contributions. Expanding government spending for such projects places unnecessary burdens on taxpayers.
1 Samuel 8:10-18 – "Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, 'This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots... He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants... and you yourselves will become his slaves'"
Leadership Insight
Centralized power always demands sacrifice from the people. God warned Israel that human kings would grow government at the expense of liberty. Limited government protects freedom; expansive government enslaves. Leaders must resist the temptation to control what they should serve.
HB 316House 20253x

Affirming that Life Begins at Conception and Giving Legal Rights to the Unborn.

With CEA
This bill, known as a "Personhood" bill, proposes an amendment to the state Constitution to define "person" to apply to all humans "beginning at the stage of fertilization or conception." It also extends legal rights and protections to the unborn from the moment of conception. This bill helps protect the lives of unborn children. All abortions are tragedies and every child deserves the right to life.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, every human life has inherent value and dignity from its earliest beginnings. Recognizing life from conception affirms the moral responsibility to protect unborn children.
Psalm 139:13-16 – "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Leadership Insight
David declares that God forms every person in the womb - a truth that shapes First Freedom's protection of religious pro-life conviction. Believers who hold that life begins at conception must be free to operate hospitals, businesses, and ministries according to this conviction. First Freedom protects religious organizations from being forced to fund, perform, or participate in abortion against their sincere belief that God is the Author of life from conception.
HB 337House 20252x

Allowing Individuals to Keep More of Their Money by Reducing Income Taxes.

With CEA
This bill provides broad income tax relief by modifying the state's 2 income tax brackets. Under existing law, income up to $20,500 for individuals/$30,750 for head of household/$41,000 for married filing jointly was taxed at 4.7%, while income over that amount was taxed at 5.9%. Under this bill, the lower bracket is extended to income up to $47,500 for individuals/$71,250 for head of household/$95,000 for married filing jointly. Additionally, the higher bracket rate is reduced to 5.65%. Furthermore, the bill increases the amount of capital gains that are exempt from income taxes. While the bill also increases the earned income tax credit rate from 10% to 20%, the bill as a whole provides broad income tax relief. All state and local tax codes should be constructed in a broadly applied manner with the lowest rates possible for everyone.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, allowing families to keep more of what they earn supports responsible stewardship and economic opportunity. Lower taxes can help households provide for their needs and support their communities.
Leviticus 25:10 – "Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan."
Leadership Insight
The Year of Jubilee proclaimed economic liberty - restoration of property, cancellation of debts, and freedom from bondage. Economic freedom follows this biblical pattern: protecting property rights, enabling debt relief through bankruptcy rather than permanent servitude, and ensuring families can rebuild wealth across generations. Government policies that permanently trap families in poverty, extract generational wealth through death taxes, or prevent property ownership contradict Jubilee's vision of economic restoration.
HB 427House 20251x

Adding Transparency to Permitting by Requiring Specific Code Citations for Permit Delays and Stop-Work Orders.

With CEA
This bill provides that if the Department of Labor and Industry or a local building department delays issuing a building permit "beyond the standard review period of a complete application," or stops construction of a project due to state or local building code violations, the applicant or person building the project may request the specific section of the building code that is being used to justify to delay or stoppage. The state or local department is required to provide this information within 7 business day or must pay the requestor $50 per day until the information is provided. Additionally, the person may file a civil action for damages.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, fairness and transparency in government processes help protect citizens from unnecessary delays and burdens. Holding agencies accountable for permit decisions respects the time and resources of individuals and businesses.
Isaiah 10:1-2 – "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless."
Leadership Insight
God pronounces woe on those who issue oppressive decrees - regulations, mandates, and compliance requirements that crush businesses and deprive workers of opportunity. Operational freedom fights the bureaucratic oppression that kills small businesses, prevents entrepreneurship, and protects established interests at the expense of new entrants. When licensing laws, zoning restrictions, and regulatory burdens make it impossible for the poor to start businesses, government becomes the oppressor Isaiah condemns.
HB 456House 20253x

Growing Government Dependency by Expanding Eligibility for Child Care Subsidies.

With CEA
This bill expands the "Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship Program," which provides funds for childcare for low-income individuals. The bill expands the program to also include childcare workers who work at a licensed day care center or registered family or group day care home, and whose household income is less than 200% of the state median income. As the Governor noted in his veto message, this will cost the state over $21 million over the next 4 years. The bill appropriates $5.5 million for each year of the biennium for scholarships for childcare workers. This measure further grows government dependency, which oftentimes leads to intergenerational poverty. Instead of forcing taxpayers to pay for the childcare costs of other individuals, lawmakers should advance de-regulatory policies across the childcare industry to lower costs and expand competition. This free-market approach is the best way to make childcare more affordable.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, expanding government subsidies can create dependency and shift responsibilities away from families and communities. Policies that encourage economic independence better support long-term stability.
Haggai 1:6 – "You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
Leadership Insight
When priorities drift from purpose, prosperity leaks away. God doesn’t bless motion - He blesses alignment. Economic freedom begins when stewardship follows divine order.
HB 477House 20253x

Driving Up Consumer Costs by Prohibiting the Use of Polystyrene Foam Containers for Food Products.

With CEA
This bill prohibits the use of polystyrene foam containers for food products over 3 years. Beginning in 2028, restaurants and food establishments are prohibited from serving food or beverages for on-premises consumption in such containers. Beginning in 2029, restaurants, food establishments, resorts, and hotels are prohibited from serving or packaging food in such containers, or providing them with food or beverages. Beginning in 2030, food packagers are prohibited from packaging bakery products or other prepared foods in such containers. The bill allows individuals to apply for exceptions based on undue hardship or other reasons. This bill protects against mandates that infringe on business and consumer choice for food packaging and unnecessarily drive-up costs.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, policies that increase costs for businesses and families can create unnecessary burdens. Protecting consumer and business choice helps ensure responsible stewardship of resources.
Isaiah 10:1-2 – "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless."
Leadership Insight
God pronounces woe on those who issue oppressive decrees - regulations, mandates, and compliance requirements that crush businesses and deprive workers of opportunity. Operational freedom fights the bureaucratic oppression that kills small businesses, prevents entrepreneurship, and protects established interests at the expense of new entrants. When licensing laws, zoning restrictions, and regulatory burdens make it impossible for the poor to start businesses, government becomes the oppressor Isaiah condemns.
HB 492House 20251x

Combatting Overreaching Local Zoning Regulations by Restricting Building Parking Space Requirements.

With CEA
This bill prohibits municipal zoning regulations from requiring more than one parking space per residential unit (or 1/2 parking space per unit under 1,200 sq. ft.) or any minimum parking space requirements for child care facilities, deed-restricted affordable housing, assisted living facilities, or existing buildings undergoing a change of use. Municipalities with a population of at least 5,000, located in a county with a population of at least 70,000, may not require a minimum parking space requirement for residential units under 1,200 sq. ft. This bill both strengthens property rights and helps combat overreaching zoning and land use ordinances.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, individuals should have the freedom to responsibly use their property without excessive government interference. Limiting unnecessary zoning mandates helps families and communities develop according to their needs.
Isaiah 10:1-2 – "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless."
Leadership Insight
God pronounces woe on lawmakers who craft economic policies that oppress the poor through excessive taxation, regulatory barriers to entry, and cronyism that favors the connected over the capable. Economic freedom is justice for the poor - when the working class keeps more of their earnings, when small businesses can compete without crushing compliance costs, and when families can build wealth without government extraction. Unjust economic laws always hit the poor hardest.
HB 703House 20253x

Reigning In Overreaching Environmental Regulations by Exempting Certain Products from Mandated Greenhouse Gas Analyses.

With CEA
This bill provides that the Department of Labor and Industry and local building departments are exempt from provisions in state law requiring greenhouse gas analyses for certain sources. This applies to products such as refrigerators, dishwashers, and others. Additionally, the exemption applies to adoption and enforcement of state and local building codes. The bill also provides that the Department of Environmental Quality is not required to conduct a greenhouse gas emissions analysis for certain sources not required under federal law, such as new vehicles and offroad vehicles.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship of the environment should be pursued without imposing unnecessary government mandates that burden families and businesses. Limiting excessive regulatory requirements helps maintain a balanced approach to responsible resource management.
1 Samuel 8:10-18 – "Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, 'This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots... He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants... and you yourselves will become his slaves'"
Leadership Insight
Centralized power always demands sacrifice from the people. God warned Israel that human kings would grow government at the expense of liberty. Limited government protects freedom; expansive government enslaves. Leaders must resist the temptation to control what they should serve.
HB 818House 20251x

Strengthening Democracy by Prohibiting Foreign Nationals from Influencing Statewide Ballot Issue Elections.

With CEA
This bill prohibits foreign nationals from making contributions or expenditures related to a statewide ballot issue. The bill also expands the definition of foreign national to include certain U.S.-based entities with majority ownership by foreign nationals. This measure helps strengthen democracy and ensure American elections remain free from foreign interference.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, protecting the integrity of elections helps preserve the trust and stability of a free society. Preventing foreign influence in ballot measures helps ensure that public decisions reflect the will of citizens.
Deuteronomy 16:18-20 – "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you."
Leadership Insight
Moses commands impartial justice - judges who follow "justice alone" without showing partiality. First Freedom depends on courts that protect religious liberty impartially, without favoring secular ideology over sincere faith. When judges show partiality against religious conviction, accepting the cultural bribes of elite approval, they pervert the justice God demands. First Freedom requires judges who fear God more than cultural pressure.
HB 821House 20252x

Protecting the State's Initiative Process from Abuse by Raising the Threshold to Adopt Citizen-led Constitutional Amendments.

With CEA
This bill proposes an amendment to the state Constitution to require approval from 3/5 of votes cast to adopt a citizen-led constitutional amendment. Currently, only a majority of votes cast is required. This measure helps protect the constitutional amendment process from abuse by special interests and other groups that seek to grow the size and scope of government.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, constitutional systems should be protected from manipulation that could expand government power at the expense of individual freedoms. Requiring broader consensus for constitutional changes helps safeguard the rights of citizens.
Deuteronomy 16:18-20 – "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you."
Leadership Insight
Moses commands impartial justice - judges who follow "justice alone" without showing partiality. First Freedom depends on courts that protect religious liberty impartially, without favoring secular ideology over sincere faith. When judges show partiality against religious conviction, accepting the cultural bribes of elite approval, they pervert the justice God demands. First Freedom requires judges who fear God more than cultural pressure.
HB 831House 20253x

Shifting Tax Burdens and Diluting the Tax Base by Providing Select Seniors Higher Credits.

Against CEA
This bill increases the maximum income tax credit for individuals who are 62 or older from 40% to 60% of household income, while also increasing the maximum credit amount from $1,150 to $1,400. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum household income to qualify for the credit from $45,000 to $50,000, with the income brackets adjusted annually for inflation. As the Governor noted in his veto message, this would cost the state over $7 million over the biennium. All state and local tax codes should be constructed in a broadly applied manner with the lowest rates possible for everyone. Providing an income tax exemption for one set of individuals inevitably results in tax burdens being shifted to others not favored by government.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, tax policy should be fair and broadly applied rather than shifting burdens from one group to another. Responsible stewardship requires maintaining balanced tax systems that treat citizens equally.
1 Samuel 8:10-18 – "Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, 'This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots... He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants... and you yourselves will become his slaves'"
Leadership Insight
Centralized power always demands sacrifice from the people. God warned Israel that human kings would grow government at the expense of liberty. Limited government protects freedom; expansive government enslaves. Leaders must resist the temptation to control what they should serve.
HB 853House 20252x

Driving Up Consumer Costs by Increasing Licensing Fees on Restaurants, Hotels, and Other Businesses.

Against CEA
This bill increases licensing fees for retail and wholesale food establishments, hotels, campgrounds, and swimming pools. For example, the license fee for retail food establishments, which was previously $85 or $115 depending on the number of employees, is increased to $150-$275. The fee for hotels, which was previously $40-160 depending on the number of rooms, is increased to $100-$250. These higher costs will likely be passed onto consumers in the form of higher prices.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, increasing regulatory fees on businesses can raise costs for families and reduce economic opportunity. Responsible governance should avoid unnecessary financial burdens.
1 Samuel 8:10-18 – "Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, 'This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots... He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants... and you yourselves will become his slaves'"
Leadership Insight
Centralized power always demands sacrifice from the people. God warned Israel that human kings would grow government at the expense of liberty. Limited government protects freedom; expansive government enslaves. Leaders must resist the temptation to control what they should serve.
HB 888House 20252x

Protecting Individual Liberties by Prohibiting Local Health Boards from Requiring Individuals to Receive a Vaccination.

With CEA
This bill prohibits local health boards from requiring a person to receive any vaccination, medication, supplement, or other drug treatment. This measure helps protect individual liberties by ensuring it is individuals - not government - making the medical decision on whether or not to receive a vaccination.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, individuals should retain the freedom to make personal medical decisions according to their conscience and beliefs. Protecting this freedom respects human dignity and the role of personal responsibility.
Romans 14:3-4 – "The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall."
Leadership Insight
Paul's protection of conscience applies directly to healthcare freedom. No government or employer has authority to mandate medical treatments, vaccines, or procedures that violate sincere religious or moral conviction. Healthcare freedom means patients and providers can follow conscience in medical decisions without coercion, contempt, or punishment. When healthcare mandates override conscience, they violate the biblical principle that each person is accountable to their own Master.
HB 889House 20252x

Strengthening Property Rights by Restricting Overreaching Local Growth Policies Regulations.

With CEA
This bill revises local government land use regulations by prohibiting the inclusion of certain "sensitive lands" requirements— such as environmental protections, aesthetic considerations, or open space designations— in growth policies for areas outside city limits. It also limits county zoning rules to focus more on material aspects like safety and public welfare rather than broader conservation or aesthetic restrictions. This prevents overly restrictive local policies from hindering economic growth, agriculture, housing development, or resource extraction in rural Montana.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, individuals should have the freedom to steward and use their property without excessive government control. Limiting overreaching growth policies helps protect families and businesses from unnecessary restrictions.
Leviticus 25:10 – "Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan."
Leadership Insight
The Year of Jubilee proclaimed economic liberty - restoration of property, cancellation of debts, and freedom from bondage. Economic freedom follows this biblical pattern: protecting property rights, enabling debt relief through bankruptcy rather than permanent servitude, and ensuring families can rebuild wealth across generations. Government policies that permanently trap families in poverty, extract generational wealth through death taxes, or prevent property ownership contradict Jubilee's vision of economic restoration.
HB 9House 20253x

Forcing Taxpayers to Fund Cultural Initiatives that are Not Core or Proper Duties of Government.

With CEA
This bill appropriates $953,500 from the coal tax to the Montana Arts Council for grants for 60 "cultural and aesthetic projects," such as funding for the International Choral Festival, Bozeman Art Museum, and Montana Ballet Company. It is not the proper role of government to fund art organizations and projects.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, charitable support for arts and cultural projects should primarily come from voluntary contributions rather than taxpayer funding. Stewardship requires that public funds be used only for essential government purposes.
Leviticus 25:10 – "Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan."
Leadership Insight
The Year of Jubilee proclaimed economic liberty - restoration of property, cancellation of debts, and freedom from bondage. Economic freedom follows this biblical pattern: protecting property rights, enabling debt relief through bankruptcy rather than permanent servitude, and ensuring families can rebuild wealth across generations. Government policies that permanently trap families in poverty, extract generational wealth through death taxes, or prevent property ownership contradict Jubilee's vision of economic restoration.
HB 947House 20253x

Hiking Health Insurance Premiums by Mandating Insurers Provide Coverage for Continuous Glucose Monitors and Supplies.

Against CEA
This bill requires most insurance policies offered in the state, including the state employee group benefit plans, to provide coverage for continuous glucose monitors and supplies if deemed medically necessary by a healthcare provider, as opposed to just the less costly traditional monitors and test strips. The bill prohibits special deductibles or cost-sharing requirements that don't generally apply to other medical services. Each and every health insurance mandate or price control on co-payments prevents an individual from selecting a plan with just basic or customized coverages to fit their specific needs. As a result, health insurers are forced to only offer costly plans loaded with coverages that most individuals do not need. This can result in lower-income or younger individuals choosing to purchase no insurance plan at all due to the high cost.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, policies that drive up insurance costs can make healthcare less accessible for families. Allowing greater flexibility in coverage options helps ensure individuals can find affordable plans.
Isaiah 55:2 – "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare."
Leadership Insight
God questions spending on what fails to nourish or satisfy. Healthcare freedom means rejecting one-size-fits-all mandates that force individuals and employers into systems that violate conscience or fail to meet real needs. Leaders who protect healthcare choice allow families and businesses to pursue treatments, coverage, and providers aligned with their values - "eating what is good" rather than consuming what government prescribes.
SB 101House 20252x

Strengthening Property Rights by Creating the Offense of Unlawful Squatting.

With CEA
This bill creates the offense of unlawful squatting, punishable by up to 6 months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $500. Additionally, the squatters are required to pay restitution equal to the fair market value rent for the time they occupied the property. The bill also provides that presenting falsified documents claiming to authorize residence is considered forgery, and unlawful squatters intentionally damaging the property is considered criminal mischief.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, protecting property rights is an important aspect of justice and stewardship. Laws that address unlawful squatting help ensure individuals can securely enjoy the property they have worked to obtain.
Proverbs 21:15 – "When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers."
Leadership Insight
Justice is not neutral - it rewards righteousness and confronts evil. Leaders who execute justice faithfully create cultures where virtue thrives and corruption fears. Moral clarity strengthens societies; moral ambiguity weakens them.
SB 154House 20252x

Prohibiting the Sale of Body Parts Resulting from Abortion.

With CEA
This bill expands the prohibition on the purchasing or selling body parts to also include fetal tissue resulting from an abortion or stillbirth. Additionally, body parts also may not be purchased or sold for training search and rescue canines. The bill also clarifies that the prohibitions apply to "whole bodies" as well as individual parts.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, human life is sacred and worthy of protection at every stage. Prohibiting the sale of body parts resulting from abortion reflects respect for the dignity of the unborn.
Psalm 139:13-16 – "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
Leadership Insight
David declares that God forms every person in the womb - a truth that shapes First Freedom's protection of religious pro-life conviction. Believers who hold that life begins at conception must be free to operate hospitals, businesses, and ministries according to this conviction. First Freedom protects religious organizations from being forced to fund, perform, or participate in abortion against their sincere belief that God is the Author of life from conception.
SB 168House 20251x

Protecting Property Rights by Establishing a Statute of Limitations for Lakeshore Regulation Violations.

With CEA
This bill establishes a statute of limitations of 3 years for localities to bring an action for violations of lakeshore regulations related to construction of a boat ramp, pier, retaining wall, and other structures. The time begins when construction is completed or the permit is issued, whichever is later. Additionally, the bill exempts minor maintenance, remodeling, and modifications from "lakeshore protection review" unless certain significant actions, such as dredging, are involved.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, respect for property rights is an important part of responsible stewardship and individual freedom. Limiting indefinite regulatory actions helps protect families and businesses from unnecessary government overreach.
Isaiah 10:1-2 – "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless."
Leadership Insight
God pronounces woe on those who issue oppressive decrees - regulations, mandates, and compliance requirements that crush businesses and deprive workers of opportunity. Operational freedom fights the bureaucratic oppression that kills small businesses, prevents entrepreneurship, and protects established interests at the expense of new entrants. When licensing laws, zoning restrictions, and regulatory burdens make it impossible for the poor to start businesses, government becomes the oppressor Isaiah condemns.
SB 172House 20253x

Growing Cronyism by Allowing Resort Communities to Utilize Tax Revenue for Workforce Housing.

With CEA
This bill expands the permitted usage of revenue from the "additional" resort tax. This tax must be approved by voters in a resort community, may not be higher than 1%, and is in addition to the resort tax of up to 3%. Under the bill, the additional tax revenue may be used for workforce housing, rather than only infrastructure. This bill fuels cronyism by enriching select developers through government central planning. Instead of growing government and central planning, lawmakers should empower the free market to make housing truly "affordable" by reducing stringent zoning regulations.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, government policies should avoid favoritism and central planning that benefits select interests. Encouraging free-market solutions better promotes fairness and opportunity.
1 Samuel 8:10-18 – "Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, 'This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots... He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants... and you yourselves will become his slaves'"
Leadership Insight
Centralized power always demands sacrifice from the people. God warned Israel that human kings would grow government at the expense of liberty. Limited government protects freedom; expansive government enslaves. Leaders must resist the temptation to control what they should serve.
SB 185House 20251x

Safeguarding Democracy and Preventing Foreign Interference in U.S. Elections by Clarifying that Only U.S. Citizens are Eligible to Vote.

With CEA
This bill proposes an amendment to the state Constitution to clarify that only U.S. citizens may vote in elections. Public trust in the integrity of our elections - especially ensuring U.S. elections are decided solely by Americans - is essential to safeguarding democracy.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, maintaining trust and integrity in civic institutions is essential for a healthy society. Ensuring that only U.S. citizens participate in elections helps protect the legitimacy and fairness of the democratic process.
Deuteronomy 16:18-20 – "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you."
Leadership Insight
Moses commands impartial justice - judges who follow "justice alone" without showing partiality. First Freedom depends on courts that protect religious liberty impartially, without favoring secular ideology over sincere faith. When judges show partiality against religious conviction, accepting the cultural bribes of elite approval, they pervert the justice God demands. First Freedom requires judges who fear God more than cultural pressure.
SB 212House 20251x

Combatting Regulatory Overreach by Recognizing a Fundamental Right to Use Technology.

With CEA
This bill enacts the "Right to Compute Act," which recognizes the "fundamental right to own and make use of technological tools." The bill restricts the ability of governments to infringe on individuals' "use of computational resources," such as data processing, algorithms, and machine learning. Government restrictions must be "demonstrably necessary and narrowly tailored to fulfill a compelling government interest." The bill does require a risk management policy for critical infrastructure systems controlled by a "critical artificial intelligence system."
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, individuals should be free to use technology responsibly to pursue innovation, work, and creativity. Protecting the right to use technological tools helps safeguard freedom and opportunity.
Isaiah 10:1-2 – "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless."
Leadership Insight
God pronounces woe on those who issue oppressive decrees - regulations, mandates, and compliance requirements that crush businesses and deprive workers of opportunity. Operational freedom fights the bureaucratic oppression that kills small businesses, prevents entrepreneurship, and protects established interests at the expense of new entrants. When licensing laws, zoning restrictions, and regulatory burdens make it impossible for the poor to start businesses, government becomes the oppressor Isaiah condemns.
SB 214House 20252x

Strengthening Private Property Rights by Resolving Zoning Regulation Ambiguities in Favor of Less Restriction on Land Usage.

With CEA
This bill requires that if there is "ambiguity or uncertainty" as to whether a particular use of land violates local zoning regulations or is a permitted "nonconforming" use, it is to be interpreted in favor of the particular usage involved. This bill both strengthens property rights and helps combat overreaching zoning and land use ordinances. It is not the role for any level of government to unduly infringe the rights of individuals, therefore making preemption measures, such as this bill, necessary.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, individuals should have the freedom to responsibly steward and use their property. Interpreting regulations in favor of property owners helps safeguard personal liberty and economic opportunity.
Leviticus 25:10 – "Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan."
Leadership Insight
The Year of Jubilee proclaimed economic liberty - restoration of property, cancellation of debts, and freedom from bondage. Economic freedom follows this biblical pattern: protecting property rights, enabling debt relief through bankruptcy rather than permanent servitude, and ensuring families can rebuild wealth across generations. Government policies that permanently trap families in poverty, extract generational wealth through death taxes, or prevent property ownership contradict Jubilee's vision of economic restoration.
SB 218House 20253x

Protecting Minors from Sex-Reassignment Surgeries and Prescriptions with Irreversible Implications.

With CEA
This bill makes physicians and healthcare professionals liable for damages that result from providing sex-reassignment procedures or puberty blockers to minors under 18 years of age. A civil action must be brought within 2 years of discovering the injury, but this statute of limitations does not begin until the individual turns 23 years of age.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, children should be protected from irreversible medical procedures until they are mature enough to provide informed consent. Safeguards that hold providers accountable help protect young people from potential harm.
Deuteronomy 22:5 – "A woman must not wear men's clothing, nor a man wear women's clothing, for the Lord your God detests anyone who does this."
Leadership Insight
God's design for gender is intentional, not arbitrary. Leaders who defend biological truth protect the foundation of family, identity, and society. Cultural pressure to erase distinctions does not change divine design. Clarity about gender honors God's created order.
SB 243House 20251x

Combatting Overreaching Regulations by Limiting Building Height Restrictions in Commercial and Industrial Zones.

With CEA
This bill prohibits municipal zoning regulations in municipalities with a population of over 5,000 from restricting buildings heights to less than 60 feet in downtown commercial, heavy commercial, or industrial zones. This bill both strengthens property rights and helps combat overreaching zoning and land use ordinances. It is not the role for any level of government to unduly infringe the rights of individuals, therefore making preemption measures, such as this bill, necessary.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, excessive government restrictions can hinder responsible development and economic opportunity. Protecting property rights allows families and businesses to use their resources productively.
Isaiah 10:1-2 – "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless."
Leadership Insight
God pronounces woe on lawmakers who craft economic policies that oppress the poor through excessive taxation, regulatory barriers to entry, and cronyism that favors the connected over the capable. Economic freedom is justice for the poor - when the working class keeps more of their earnings, when small businesses can compete without crushing compliance costs, and when families can build wealth without government extraction. Unjust economic laws always hit the poor hardest.
SB 244House 20253x

Hiking Health Insurance Premiums by Mandating Coverage for Behavioral Health Screenings for Enrollees at No Cost or Co-Pay.

Against CEA
This bill requires all insurance policies offered in the state, including the state employee group benefit plans and the Montana university system group benefits plans, to provide coverage for optional behavioral health screenings without any out-of-pocket costs. Each and every health insurance mandate or price control on co-payments prevents an individual from selecting a plan with just basic or customized coverages to fit their specific needs. As a result, health insurers are forced to only offer costly plans loaded with coverages that most individuals do not need.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, policies that increase healthcare costs can place heavy burdens on families already struggling to afford coverage. Allowing flexibility in insurance plans helps ensure more individuals can obtain care that fits their needs.
Isaiah 55:2 – "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare."
Leadership Insight
God questions spending on what fails to nourish or satisfy. Healthcare freedom means rejecting one-size-fits-all mandates that force individuals and employers into systems that violate conscience or fail to meet real needs. Leaders who protect healthcare choice allow families and businesses to pursue treatments, coverage, and providers aligned with their values - "eating what is good" rather than consuming what government prescribes.
SB 265House 20253x

Protecting Civil Liberties by Ensuring the Right to Hold and Use Bitcoin and Other Digital Assets.

With CEA
This bill, the "Financial Freedom and Innovation Act," ensures the right of individuals and businesses to hold and use digital assets such as bitcoin in transactions, and operate a node on a blockchain. The bill also prohibits the state and local governments from accepting, requiring the use of, or participating in a test of a central bank digital currency. The creation of a CBDC serves as an existential threat to individual liberties and privacy and will further grow government control over the economy. Bitcoin and other digital currencies also serve as a critical safeguard for the U.S. monetary system, especially considering the disastrous policies and actions being taken by the Federal Reserve.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, financial privacy and economic freedom are important for protecting individual liberty. Ensuring people can hold and use digital assets helps prevent excessive government control over personal finances.
Leviticus 25:10 – "Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan."
Leadership Insight
Jubilee proclaimed liberty and restoration - principles essential to operational freedom. Businesses that have struggled under regulatory burden, economic downturn, or circumstance deserve the opportunity to rebuild, restructure, and return to productive enterprise. Operational freedom means bankruptcy laws that restore rather than permanently destroy, regulations that don't trap businesses in perpetual compliance, and policies that allow enterprises to return to their productive "property" rather than remain in bondage to past failures.
SB 350House 20251x

Discouraging Illegal Immigration by Allowing Athletic Associations to Prohibit Illegal Immigrants from Participating in Extracurricular Activities.

With CEA
This bill allows athletic associations, conferences, and organizations to prohibit or restrict participation in extracurricular activities based on whether students are U.S. citizens and/or Montana residents. Lawmakers must eliminate all incentives that may encourage illegal immigration, including taxpayer-funded benefits surrounding housing, education, and other welfare programs.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, governments have a responsibility to uphold the rule of law while stewarding public resources responsibly. Policies that discourage unlawful behavior help maintain fairness and order within communities.
Romans 13:1-4 – "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."
Leadership Insight
Government authority is legitimate only when it reflects God's design - to punish evil and reward good. Leaders submit to righteous authority but resist tyranny. Romans 13 is not a blank check for government overreach; it's a framework for godly governance rooted in justice.
SB 40House 20251x

Promoting Transparency and Government Oversight by Requiring Supreme Court Deliberations be Publicly Available.

With CEA
This bill makes deliberations of the state Supreme Court subject to public inspection. The bill requires all closed meetings of the court to be recorded and a written record to be produced. These must be available to the public after the case is final. The bill does allow for the redaction of confidential information.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, transparency and accountability are important principles for those entrusted with authority. Making judicial deliberations available to the public helps strengthen trust in the justice system.
1 Corinthians 4:2 – "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."
Leadership Insight
Operational freedom begins with stewardship. God entrusts leaders with resources, influence, and people - not to control them, but to multiply them for His Kingdom. Faithfulness is Heaven’s metric for leadership success.
SB 437House 20252x

Clarifying the Definition of "Sex" as One's Biological Sex at Birth.

With CEA
This bill establishes a legal definition of "sex" for use in statutes and state code. The bill defines "sex" as "rooted in reproductive anatomy and is in no way influenced or defined by one's psychological state, behavior, expression, or personal identity." The bill is in response to questions surrounding consideration of "gender expression" and "gender identity" in cases of anti-discrimination law covering public accommodations and scholastic sports. All individuals should be treated with respect and have the same freedoms, rights and opportunities under the law. Additionally, individuals within the private sector should be free to exercise their Constitutional rights, including freedom of association, freedom of speech and religious freedom. This bill helps ensure individuals can exercise their Constitutional rights while being protected from frivolous litigation.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, truth and clarity in law are essential for protecting both individual liberties and freedom of conscience. Establishing a clear definition of sex helps safeguard religious freedom and prevent unjust legal conflicts.
Proverbs 21:15 – "When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers."
Leadership Insight
Justice is not neutral - it rewards righteousness and confronts evil. Leaders who execute justice faithfully create cultures where virtue thrives and corruption fears. Moral clarity strengthens societies; moral ambiguity weakens them.
SB 493House 20251x

Protecting Privacy by Creating the Offense of Trespassing by Flying a Drone at Low Height Over Residences or Property.

With CEA
This bill creates the offense of "criminal trespass by unmanned aerial vehicle" for flying a drone 200 feet or lower over another person's property or residence without authorization. Under the bill, this is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $500. The bill allows certain exceptions, such as for government entities in emergency situations, utility companies inspecting equipment, and business purposes by individuals with a federal license.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, respecting the privacy and property of others reflects the biblical principle of treating neighbors with dignity and respect. Laws addressing unauthorized drone surveillance help protect families and their homes.
Proverbs 21:15 – "When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers."
Leadership Insight
Justice is not neutral - it rewards righteousness and confronts evil. Leaders who execute justice faithfully create cultures where virtue thrives and corruption fears. Moral clarity strengthens societies; moral ambiguity weakens them.
SB 532House 20251x

Strengthening Property Rights by Allowing ADUs on Single-Family Residential Property.

With CEA
This bill requires county zoning regulations to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on a lot containing a single-family residence. Additionally, the bill limits the regulations that counties may impose on ADUs, such as certain restrictions on who may occupy the unit or requiring the design of the ADU to match the residence. This bill both strengthens property rights and helps combat overreaching zoning and land use ordinances.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, families should have the freedom to responsibly use their property to meet housing needs and support relatives or community members. Limiting restrictive zoning rules helps protect property rights and strengthen families.
Leviticus 25:10 – "Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan."
Leadership Insight
The Year of Jubilee proclaimed economic liberty - restoration of property, cancellation of debts, and freedom from bondage. Economic freedom follows this biblical pattern: protecting property rights, enabling debt relief through bankruptcy rather than permanent servitude, and ensuring families can rebuild wealth across generations. Government policies that permanently trap families in poverty, extract generational wealth through death taxes, or prevent property ownership contradict Jubilee's vision of economic restoration.
SB 56House 20253x

Advancing Fiscal Irresponsibility by Increasing Public Employer Retirement Contribution Rates.

With CEA
This bill increases the supplemental employer contribution rate for the Public Employees' Retirement System by 0.1% annually through 2035, increasing the rate from 2.27% to 3.27%. The bill also establishes a supplemental rate for the Highway Patrol Officers' Retirement, Sheriffs' Retirement, and Game Wardens' and Peace Officers' Retirement systems. Under the bill, the supplemental rate is 0.1% in 2026, and increases by 0.1% annually until reaching 1% in 2035. The only time the employer share (taxpayer share) should be increased is for efforts to reduce unfunded liabilities within a state pension system - which should be done in conjunction with increased employee contributions.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, increasing taxpayer obligations to support government retirement systems should be approached with caution and fairness. Responsible stewardship calls for balanced reforms rather than continually increasing public costs.
1 Samuel 8:10-18 – "Samuel told all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king. He said, 'This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots... He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants. He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants... and you yourselves will become his slaves'"
Leadership Insight
Centralized power always demands sacrifice from the people. God warned Israel that human kings would grow government at the expense of liberty. Limited government protects freedom; expansive government enslaves. Leaders must resist the temptation to control what they should serve.
SB 67House 20251x

Advancing Innovation by Establishing a Framework to Enable Fully Autonomous Vehicles within the State.

With CEA
This bill, the "Montana Automated Driving Systems Act," establishes a regulatory framework to enable the operation of fully autonomous vehicles across the state. This measure advances innovation and spurs economic growth by allowing the deployment of autonomous vehicles. Such new technology can provide significant benefits to society, including lower consumer costs.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, innovation and responsible entrepreneurship can create opportunities that improve the well-being of communities. Allowing new technologies to develop with reasonable oversight can support economic growth.
Proverbs 21:5 – "The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty."
Leadership Insight
Diligence turns ideas into impact. God honors leaders who plan with patience instead of rushing with pride. Strategic stewardship brings sustainable success.
SB 72House 20252x

Increasing the Likelihood of Welfare Fraud by Establishing "Presumptive Eligibility" for Medicaid.

Against CEA
This bill establishes presumptive eligibility under Medicaid for home and community-based services for the elderly and individuals with physical disabilities. This allows these individuals to receive coverage under Medicaid before submitting a full application. As the Governor noted in his veto message, presumptive eligibility "requires an applicant to simply self-attest to his or her income and residency, exposing the system to fraud."
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, compassion for those in need must be balanced with responsible stewardship of public resources. Expanding programs that increase dependency or risk fraud can undermine long-term stability for families and communities.
Isaiah 55:2 – "Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare."
Leadership Insight
God questions spending on what fails to nourish or satisfy. Healthcare freedom means rejecting one-size-fits-all mandates that force individuals and employers into systems that violate conscience or fail to meet real needs. Leaders who protect healthcare choice allow families and businesses to pursue treatments, coverage, and providers aligned with their values - "eating what is good" rather than consuming what government prescribes.
SB 91House 20251x

Requiring Driver's Licenses and ID Cards to Indicate U.S. Citizenship.

With CEA
Beginning in 2026, this bill requires all driver's licenses and identification cards issued in the state to include an image of an eagle to indicate the person is a United States citizen.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, integrity and transparency are essential to maintaining trust in civic institutions. Ensuring clear verification of citizenship in identification systems helps safeguard the fairness and legitimacy of elections.
Deuteronomy 16:18-20 – "Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the Lord your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly. Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the innocent. Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you."
Leadership Insight
Moses commands impartial justice - judges who follow "justice alone" without showing partiality. First Freedom depends on courts that protect religious liberty impartially, without favoring secular ideology over sincere faith. When judges show partiality against religious conviction, accepting the cultural bribes of elite approval, they pervert the justice God demands. First Freedom requires judges who fear God more than cultural pressure.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rep. Terry Nelson's voting record?

Rep. Terry Nelson (R-MT-87) is tracked on the Christian Employers Alliance legislative scorecard. Terry Nelson represents the 87th District in the Montana House of Representatives. Highest category scores: First Freedom (100%), Workforce Freedom (100%), and Operational Freedom (86%).

Where does Terry Nelson serve?

Rep. Terry Nelson (R-MT-87) represents the 87th District in the Montana House of Representatives as a Republican.

What issue categories does Terry Nelson score highest on?

Terry Nelson's strongest categories on the Christian Employers Alliance scorecard are: First Freedom (100%), Workforce Freedom (100%), Operational Freedom (86%).

Where can I see Terry Nelson's full voting record?

View the full list of scored bills, category breakdown, and year-over-year voting record above. Christian Employers Alliance updates this scorecard as new key votes are scored.

Christian Employers Alliance — Faith. Family. Freedom.
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