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Steve Gist Voting Record & Scorecard | Christian Employers Alliance

MT Representative

District: 25 • Republican

2025 Alignment:

61.65%

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Lifetime Ratings by Policy Category

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Rep. Steve Gist (R-MT-25) earned a 62% Christian Employers Alliance score for 2025, showing moderate alignment with biblical business policy positions. Steve Gist voted on 72 of the 83 key bills CEA scored in 2025. Steve Gist represents the 25th District in the Montana House of Representatives. Highest category scores: First Freedom (100%), Operational Freedom (81%), and Workforce Freedom (63%).

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 121House 20252x

Strengthening Safety in Public Schools and Jails by Requiring Bathroom Usage to be Based on Biological Sex.

With CEA
This bill requires public schools, jails, and domestic violence shelters with a multi-person restroom, changing facility, or sleeping areas to designate separate facilities based on biological sex at birth. This measure helps strengthen safety and privacy in restrooms and locker rooms at public schools, jails, and domestic violence shelters across the state.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, protecting privacy and safety in sensitive spaces reflects respect for human dignity. Policies that maintain separate facilities based on biological sex help safeguard the well-being of women and children.
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.
HB 13House 20253x

Busting the Budget by Tripling the Salaries of Lawmakers.

With CEA
This bill increases pay for state legislators from $10.33 per hour to an amount based on the average hourly wage in Montana ($31.35 in 4th-quarter 2024). Beginning in 2027, the amount is equal to 80% of the hourly wage, and beginning in 2029, is equal to the hourly wage. The bill also provides pay increases in both 2025 and 2026 for state employees and increases the monthly employer contribution for group benefits for state employees. 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, responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources requires restraint in government spending. Increasing compensation for government officials should be carefully weighed against the burden placed 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 182House 20252x

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending by Providing $5 Million for Grants to Nonprofits for Senior Citizen Centers.

Against CEA
This bill establishes a provides $5 million for grants to nonprofit organizations to be used for senior citizen centers. 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 $250,000. The private sector is the best equipped to provide senior citizen center services through charitable endeavors and private operations, and this measure unnecessarily grows spending.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, caring for seniors is an important responsibility that families, churches, and communities often fulfill best. Expanding government spending for such services can displace private charitable efforts.
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 208House 20251x

Strengthening Public Safety by Allowing Localities to Prohibit Homeless Camps on Public Property.

With CEA
This bill allows municipalities to prohibit or regulate sleeping, camping, and storing personal property on municipal property.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, local communities should have the ability to maintain safe and orderly public spaces. Allowing reasonable regulation of camping on public property helps protect public safety and shared resources.
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 218House 20252x

Increasing Healthcare Access by Expanding Optometrist Scope of Practice.

With CEA
This bill expands the scope of practice for optometrists to include in-office surgeries and laser surgeries limited to the front portion of the eye. Optometrists must have completed certain training and be certified by the Board of Optometry in order to perform surgeries. The bill also eliminates restrictions on the drugs optometrists may use during examinations. This bill increases healthcare access and lowers costs by providing additional options for individuals seeking treatment.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, expanding access to affordable healthcare services helps families receive the care they need. Allowing qualified professionals to provide additional treatments can improve access while maintaining responsible oversight.
Luke 10:34-35 – "He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have."
Leadership Insight
The Good Samaritan embodies healthcare freedom - personal compassion delivered without government permission, insurance approval, or bureaucratic delay. He bandaged wounds himself, paid directly for care, and promised to cover additional costs. Healthcare freedom means protecting this direct relationship between caregiver and patient. When government mandates and insurance bureaucracies stand between the suffering and those who would help, compassion is delayed, costs explode, and the wounded lie waiting while paperwork processes.
HB 245House 20253x

Further Cementing Obamacare by Making the State's Medicaid Expansion Permanent.

Against CEA
This bill repeals the sunset on the state's Medicaid expansion under Obamacare. As a result, the expansion of Medicaid is made permanent, rather than expiring in 2025. This bill traps an even greater number of individuals into government dependency while continuing to grow the size and role of government.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, policies that expand long-term dependency on government programs can undermine personal responsibility and community-based support. Encouraging pathways to independence better reflects principles of stewardship and human dignity.
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.
HB 253House 20251x

Improving Government Transparency During Public Health Emergencies by Requiring Public Reporting of Data.

With CEA
This bill requires that if the Governor declares a public health emergency, the Department of Public Health and Human Services is required to report certain information related to the emergency twice weekly. This includes the number of individuals hospitalized and number of deaths. Additionally, the department must report any underlying conditions or characteristics that may have contributed to individuals being hospitalized or dying. This measure helps improve transparency related to states of emergency, as countless governments abused their authorities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, transparency and honesty are essential when governments exercise extraordinary powers during emergencies. Requiring clear public reporting helps ensure accountability and protect the public’s trust.
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.
HB 257House 20251x

Strengthening Public Safety by Expanding Facilities Considered "Critical Infrastructure" for Purposes of Trespassing.

With CEA
This bill expands the definition of "critical infrastructure," for purposes of the offense of trespassing on such property, to also include broadband and wired communications infrastructure. Additionally, the bill removes the requirement that property be enclosed by a fence or physical barrier or marked with signs in order to be considered a "critical infrastructure facility."
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, protecting critical infrastructure is important for the safety and stability of communities. Strengthening protections against trespassing helps safeguard essential services relied upon by families and businesses.
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.
HB 274House 20253x

Increasing Government Dependency by Establishing a "Medical Respite Care Program" Under Medicaid.

Against CEA
This bill establishes a "medical respite care program for homeless individuals" under Medicaid. This program provides coverage for medical care in a residential facility for individuals "who are too ill or frail to recover from a physical illness or injury but are not ill enough to require hospital care." This bill traps an even greater number of individuals into government dependency while continuing to grow the size and role of government.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, compassion for the vulnerable should be balanced with responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources. Expanding government programs that increase dependency may weaken community and charitable efforts to care for those in need.
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.
HB 278House 20251x

Helping to Combat Illegal Immigration and Human Trafficking by Allowing Law Enforcement Officers to Verify Immigration Status During Traffic Stops.

With CEA
This bill allows law enforcement officers to make a "reasonable attempt" to determine the immigration status of an individual during a lawful stop of an individual or vehicle, if the officer has "reasonable suspicion." Officers are required to report individuals determined to not be in the country legally to a federal immigration agency.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, governments have a duty to uphold the rule of law and protect communities from unlawful activity. Allowing law enforcement to verify immigration status during lawful stops supports public safety and accountability.
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.
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 291House 20252x

Protecting Against Overreach by Restricting the Ability to Impose Environmental Regulations More Stringent than Federal Regulations.

With CEA
This bill limits the ability of the Board of Environmental Review to impose emissions regulations that are more stringent than federal regulations. Under the bill, the board may only impose more stringent regulations if they were previously in effect and are "necessary in areas classified as nonattainment, maintenance, or to prevent nonattainment" to comply with federal regulations required under the federal "Clean Air Act."
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, government should avoid imposing unnecessary burdens that hinder economic opportunity for families and communities. Aligning regulations with federal standards helps limit excessive bureaucracy while maintaining environmental protections.
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 300House 20252x

Strengthening Safety and Privacy by Keeping Biological Males Out of Girls Sports and Facilities in Public Schools.

With CEA
This bill makes it an "unlawful discriminatory practice" for an educational institution to allow biological males to compete in female sports. Additionally, it is also unlawful for schools to fail to designate separate multi-person restrooms, locker rooms, showers, and sleeping areas based on biological sex at birth. This measure helps strengthen safety and privacy in restrooms and locker rooms and protects the competitiveness of women's sports by ensuring females are not forced to compete against biological men. This requirement represents one of many restrictions (including height, weight, and age requirements) to ensure fair competition between public and private schools competing across the state.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, fairness, safety, and dignity should guide policies affecting children and young people. Ensuring that athletic competition and private facilities respect biological differences helps protect students.
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.
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 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 336House 20252x

Reducing Employment Barriers by Establishing a Pathway to Occupational Licensure Through Apprenticeships.

With CEA
This bill requires licensing boards and programs to grant a license to individuals who complete an apprenticeship in certain fields, such as cosmetologists, addiction counselors, registered nurses (RN), and elevator inspectors. The same exam and fee requirements apply to applicants through this licensure pathway. This bill is a step in the right direction to reducing unnecessary employment barriers. Ultimately, the private sector, via certifications, rating systems, and the free market, is much better equipped to provide consumer protection while also ensuring competition and low consumer costs. Most government licensing entities are overly restrictive and are largely advocated by special interests seeking to restrict competition in the marketplace.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, meaningful work and opportunity are important for human dignity and flourishing. Expanding pathways to employment through apprenticeships can help individuals support themselves and their families.
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 350House 20251x

Reinforcing State Sovereignty by Prohibiting State or Local Enforcement of World Health Organization, United Nations, or World Economic Forum Mandates.

With CEA
This bill prohibits the state and local governments from using and public funds or resources to enforce any requirement or mandate of the World Health Organization, United Nations, or World Economic Forum. The bill specifically provides that these organizations "have no jurisdiction in this state" and that the state and local governments may not be forced to enforce any such requirements or mandates.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, sovereignty and responsible governance require that decisions affecting citizens be made by accountable local institutions. Preventing outside global organizations from imposing mandates protects self-governance and individual liberty.
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 377House 20251x

Strengthening Parental Rights by Ensuring Access to their Child's Medical Records.

With CEA
This bill requires healthcare providers to provide parents with access to, or a copy of, their child's medical records upon request at no charge. The bill contains certain exceptions, such as if the parent is under investigation for child abuse or the healthcare provider believes providing the information would endanger the child.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, parents have a responsibility to care for the health and well-being of their children. Ensuring parents have access to their child’s medical information respects the family’s role in making informed healthcare decisions.
3 John 1:4 – "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."
Leadership Insight
Health is inseparable from truth. A culture that denies moral truth forfeits spiritual wellness. God’s Word sustains both conscience and community.
HB 388House 20253x

Protecting Life by Preventing Government Mandates Requiring Pregnancy Centers to Provide Abortions.

With CEA
This bill prohibits the state and local governments from requiring pregnancy centers to perform abortions, provide abortion drugs or contraceptives, or post information on receiving an abortion. 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, religious ministries that support pregnant women should be free to operate according to their beliefs without government coercion. Protecting pregnancy centers allows them to continue offering life-affirming care and support.
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 396House 20251x

Strengthening Public Safety by Requiring Judges to Consider an Offender's Prior History When Determining Whether to Grant Pre-Trial Bail.

With CEA
This bill requires judges to consider a defendant's prior history of failing to appear in court when determining whether to grant bail, and if so, the amount. Judges also must consider whether the individual is required to be detained under an interstate compact. Additionally, if a person is returned to the state after being arrested in another state on a warrant, the individual must appear before a judge before being released.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, justice requires careful consideration of an individual’s past actions when determining legal decisions that affect public safety. Ensuring courts consider prior fugitive behavior helps protect communities.
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 399House 20252x

Hiking Health Insurance Premiums by Expanding Bans on Policy "Prior Authorization Requirements" 

Against CEA
This bill expands the state's prohibition on prior authorization requirements for certain prescription drugs to include additional drugs, such as certain inhaled asthma drugs and insulin. 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. Mandating that insurers cannot require prior authorization for certain drugs is heavy-handed regulation that interferes with private contracts between insurers, providers, and patients.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, healthcare systems should prioritize affordability and accessibility for families. Excessive insurance mandates can drive up costs and limit the ability of individuals to choose plans that best meet 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.
HB 400House 20251x

Preventing Retaliation for Refusing to Use a Person's "Preferred Pronoun".

With CEA
This bill, the "Free to Speak Act," protects individuals from any adverse government actions in the event the person fails to identify their pronouns or address another person using a name other than the person's legal name or their preferred pronoun if the pronoun is not consistent with the person's biological sex. The bill also protects public school students, employees, and contractors.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, individuals should not be compelled by government to speak or affirm beliefs that conflict with their conscience. Protecting freedom of speech helps safeguard the dignity and moral convictions of every person.
Acts 4:19-20 – "Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."
Leadership Insight
When truth is silenced, darkness prevails. The apostles refused to edit their message for cultural comfort. Faithful leaders must speak what God says, even when it costs influence.
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.

Against 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 471House 20251x

Requiring Parental Consent for Instruction on Sensitive Issues Surrounding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity.

With CEA
This bill requires parental consent in order for a student to attend instruction on gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation. School districts are also required to provide parents with access to the curriculum and materials for human sexuality and identity instruction. Strong parental rights in their child's education is a critical element of a free society. This measure ensures children are not subjected to sensitive topics without the consent of parents.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, parents are entrusted with the responsibility to guide their children’s moral and personal development, and government institutions should respect that role. Requiring parental consent for sensitive instruction helps protect the family’s authority to shape a child’s values and upbringing.
Acts 4:19-20 – "Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."
Leadership Insight
When truth is silenced, darkness prevails. The apostles refused to edit their message for cultural comfort. Faithful leaders must speak what God says, even when it costs influence.
HB 477House 20253x

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

Against 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 479House 20251x

Safeguarding Democracy and Preventing Foreign Interference in U.S. Elections by Requiring Candidates to Disclose Foreign Citizenship.

With CEA
This bill requires primary, write-in, and non-partisan candidates to disclose if they are citizens of any country other than the United States or a federally-recognized Indian tribe.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, honesty and transparency are essential qualities for those seeking positions of public trust. Requiring candidates to disclose foreign citizenship helps voters make informed decisions about their leaders.
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 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 509House 20253x

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending by Expanding a Costly Loan Repayment Benefit for Educators.

Against CEA
This bill expands eligibility for the Quality Educator Loan Assistance Program, which provides up to $12,000 in state-funded student loan repayment for teachers, and the option for schools and school districts to provide up to an additional $5,000. Previously, eligibility was limited to teachers at schools with "Critical quality educator shortages." This bill removes that requirement. However, the bill requires that priority be given to teachers at such schools. While it is a necessary role for government to provide quality K-12 education, individuals who elect to pursue activities other than higher education - such as those who start their own businesses or work in the trades - should not be forced to pay for others' college tuition.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, stewardship requires that public resources be used responsibly and not redistributed unfairly among citizens. Forcing taxpayers to subsidize the education debt of others places an unjust burden on families and workers.
2 Corinthians 9:7 – "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Leadership Insight
Generosity must be voluntary, not coerced. God values the heart behind the gift more than the amount. Leaders who defend economic freedom protect the right to give joyfully without government compulsion. Forced redistribution replaces worship with resentment.
HB 521House 20251x

Prohibiting Criminals from Recovering Damages for Injuries Suffered During Commission of a Crime Unless the Victim Used Unjustified Force.

With CEA
This bill provides that a person who is convicted of a crime may not recover damages in a civil action for injuries or other damages caused by a victim during the commission of the crime if the victim did not use force, or used justified force.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, justice requires that victims of wrongdoing not be further harmed through unjust legal claims. Protecting victims from frivolous lawsuits reinforces accountability and fairness.
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 56House 20253x

Gaming the Federal Medicaid System by Imposing a New 5.75% Tax on Ambulance Providers.

Against CEA
This bill requires ambulance providers to pay an assessment equal to 5.75% of net operating revenues to the Department of Revenue. The bill ultimately results in higher payments to ambulance providers by gaming the federal Medicaid system to extract additional federal funds. The state and federal government must work to shrink the Medicaid system. The out of control spending, when coupled with the over $185 trillion in existing federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, responsible stewardship calls for honesty, integrity, and restraint in the use of public resources. Expanding government programs through funding schemes that increase dependency and long-term fiscal burdens undermines sustainable governance and shifts unjust costs onto future generations.
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.
HB 638House 20252x

Protecting Free Speech by Prohibiting Governments from Requesting Diversity Statements.

With CEA
This bill prohibits the state and local governments from requesting individuals to provide a diversity statement or giving preference to individuals who provide such statements. This includes government entities such as state agencies and departments, state colleges and universities, and school districts. This measure helps protect free speech as well as taxpayer funds from being utilized to promote politicized DEI efforts which sow division amongst Americans and are intended to further grow the role of government.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, individuals should not be compelled to affirm beliefs or political viewpoints as a condition of employment or opportunity. Protecting freedom of speech and conscience safeguards human dignity.
Galatians 5:1 – "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
Leadership Insight
Freedom is not the absence of restraint; it is the presence of divine purpose. Christ purchased liberty not for comfort but for courage. A free leader under God becomes unshakable, even when culture shifts.
HB 642House 20251x

Strengthening Public Safety by Declaring Camping in Violation of State or Local Laws to be a Public Nuisance.

With CEA
This bill expands the state's public nuisance law to also include "camping in violation of an ordinance or statute." Violations are punishable by a fine of up to $500 per day, and under existing law, localities may pursue court action to remove fixtures creating a nuisance.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, communities should seek compassionate solutions for those in need while maintaining safe and orderly public spaces. Addressing unlawful camping through public nuisance laws helps protect neighborhoods and public health.
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 655House 20252x

Protecting Religious Liberties in Adoption and Foster Care by Ensuring Parents Are Not Forced to Violate their Sincerely Held Beliefs.

With CEA
This bill prohibits the state from discriminating against adoption and foster care services based on the service restricting placement based on religious beliefs. The state also may not discriminate against an adoptive or foster parent for raising the child according to the parent's religious beliefs.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, religious liberty is a fundamental right that allows individuals and organizations to live out their convictions. Protecting faith-based adoption and foster care services ensures families can serve children while remaining faithful to their beliefs.
Acts 4:19-20 – "Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to Him? As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard."
Leadership Insight
When truth is silenced, darkness prevails. The apostles refused to edit their message for cultural comfort. Faithful leaders must speak what God says, even when it costs influence.
HB 663House 20251x

Prohibiting Affirmative Action and Discrimination Based on Race on College Campuses.

With CEA
This bill prohibits institutions of higher education from using race, color, ethnicity, or national origin in admissions and financial aid decisions. The bill also prohibits institutions from discriminating, excluding individuals, or denying benefits based on these characteristics. This includes any programs or activities, including affirmative action.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, every person is created with equal dignity and should be judged by character and merit rather than race or ethnicity. Ensuring equal treatment in education reflects the principle that all individuals are valued equally before God.
Galatians 3:28 – "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Leadership Insight
In Christ, economic opportunity transcends social categories - no person's worth or potential is determined by their background, class, or demographic. Economic freedom protects this biblical truth by ensuring all people can compete, create, and prosper based on capability rather than government-assigned categories. Policies that divide people into economic classes for preferential treatment or punishment contradict the gospel's declaration that all are one in Christ.
HB 69House 20253x

Imposing a Series of New Excessive Fee Hikes that Unnecessarily Drive-up Mining Costs.

Against CEA
This bill establishes the "Hard-Rock Mining Permitting Program Account" to fund metal mine reclamation projects. The bill increases various mine permitting fees and directs funds from fees to the new account, including establishing an annual small miner administrative fee, increasing a late fee for non-timely payments, and setting a fee for exploration license renewals.
OPPOSE is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, policies that increase fees and regulatory costs can burden workers, businesses, and consumers. Encouraging economic opportunity requires limiting 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 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 719House 20251x

Strengthening Election Integrity by Requiring Voter Date of Birth Verification for Absentee and Mail-In Ballots.

With CEA
This bill requires individuals to provide their date of birth when registering to vote, voting by absentee ballot, or voting by mail. When counting absentee and vote-by-mail ballots, the date of birth must be compared against the individual's ballot request form or voter registration. If the date of birth is missing or does not match, the voter must be provided an opportunity to resolve the problem.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, safeguarding the integrity of elections is important to maintaining public trust in government institutions. Reasonable verification measures help ensure that every lawful vote is counted accurately.
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 801House 20252x

Protecting Firearm Manufactures from Frivolous Litigation Based on the Usage of Their Products by Criminals.

With CEA
This bill, the "Montana Firearms Liability Clarification Act," prohibits bringing a civil action alleging "negligent marketing" against a firearm or ammunition manufacturer or seller unless certain conditions are met. These include marketing directly targeting individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms, marketing that "encouraged or facilitated the unlawful use of firearms," a "direct and substantial causal link" between the marketing and a harm suffered, and marketing that willfully and knowingly violated a state or federal law "explicitly regulating the sale or marketing of firearms or ammunition." This measure is primarily designed to protect against a gun-control agenda and efforts to drive firearm manufacturers out of business by subjecting them to frivolous litigation due to their customer's usage of their products - something they can't control.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, individuals have a right to defend themselves and their families. Protecting lawful firearm manufacturers from unjust lawsuits helps safeguard this fundamental liberty.
Luke 22:36 – "He said to them, 'But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.'"
Leadership Insight
Jesus affirms the right to self-defense. Preparedness is not paranoia - it's stewardship of safety. Leaders who defend the Second Amendment defend the biblical principle that protection is both a right and a responsibility. Security begins with the citizen, not the state.
HB 809House 20251x

Protecting Second Amendment Rights by Blocking Red Flag Laws.

With CEA
This bill prohibits localities from enacting or enforcing "extreme risk protection orders," or a "red flag" program, whereby individuals may seek to have a firearm immediately taken away from another person through an "ex-parte" (one-sided) petition to a court if the individual alleges the firearms owner is a danger to themselves or others. The one-sided petition violates due process under the law (an individual can't provide their defense) and this program lacks provisions that prevent nefarious individuals from abusing the system to harass or harm law-abiding individuals, thus unduly infringing their Second Amendment protections and leaving them defenseless.
SUPPORT is the CEA Position, based on:
From a faith-based perspective, justice requires that individuals not be deprived of their rights without due process. Protecting lawful firearm owners from one-sided seizure orders helps preserve fundamental freedoms and legal fairness.
Luke 22:36 – "He said to them, 'But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.'"
Leadership Insight
Jesus affirms the right to self-defense. Preparedness is not paranoia - it's stewardship of safety. Leaders who defend the Second Amendment defend the biblical principle that protection is both a right and a responsibility. Security begins with the citizen, not the state.
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 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.

Against 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.

Against 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rep. Steve Gist's voting record?

Rep. Steve Gist (R-MT-25) earned a 62% Christian Employers Alliance score for 2025, showing moderate alignment with biblical business policy positions. Steve Gist voted on 72 of the 83 key bills CEA scored in 2025. Steve Gist represents the 25th District in the Montana House of Representatives. Highest category scores: First Freedom (100%), Operational Freedom (81%), and Workforce Freedom (63%).

How aligned is Steve Gist with biblical business policy positions?

Steve Gist earned a 62% Christian Employers Alliance score in 2025, showing moderate alignment with biblical business policy positions.

What is Steve Gist's CEA score?

Steve Gist has a 62% CEA score for 2025.

Where does Steve Gist serve?

Rep. Steve Gist (R-MT-25) represents the 25th District in the Montana House of Representatives as a Republican.

What issue categories does Steve Gist score highest on?

Steve Gist's strongest categories on the Christian Employers Alliance scorecard are: First Freedom (100%), Operational Freedom (81%), Workforce Freedom (63%).

Where can I see Steve Gist'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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