September 10 -Governor Bullock Announces Additional Coronavirus Relief Funds for Meat Processing, Nonprofits
Governor Steve Bullock today announced additional funding from the Coronavirus Relief Fund will be directed to the Montana Meat Processing Infrastructure Grant and Social Services Nonprofit Grant programs to fully address identified needs. Governor Bullock also announced he is committing an additional $25 million to nonprofits and issued new guidelines for nonprofits to seek another round of funding. More…
August 17 – Governor Bullock Announces Fire Fund Doubled, Sufficient Budget Reserves to Manage Pandemic
Governor Steve Bullock today announced that the fire fund has doubled to its statutory maximum and that the state of Montana is well equipped to manage the uncertainty ahead created by the pandemic due to sufficient budget reserves of over $600 million. More…
July 15 – Governor Bullock Announces Mandatory Face Coverings in Counties with More than Four Active Cases
I have determined that, in response to the emergency, it is necessary to require face coverings in certain settings to prevent the spread of communicable disease in counties currently experiencing four or more active cases. I strongly encourage Montanans in counties with fewer than four cases to wear face coverings as well. Therefore, in accordance with the authority vested in me under the Constitution, Article VI, Sections 4 and 13, and the laws of the State of Montana, Title 10, Chapter 3 and Title 50, Chapter 1, MCA, and other applicable provisions of the Constitution and Montana law, I hereby direct the following measures be in place in the State of Montana, effective immediately: More…
June 25 – Governor Bullock Announces Updated Directive to Permit Safe Visitation in Nursing Homes, Assisted Living Facilities
Governor Steve Bullock today announced an updated directive that permits safe visitation in nursing homes and assisted living facilities that are able to follow infection control protocols per guidance issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). More…
June 19 – Governor Bullock Announces Montana’s Unemployment Rate Declines to 9.0% in May and Montana posts third fastest payroll employment growth in the nation
Governor Steve Bullock today announced Montana’s unemployment rate improved considerably in May due to strong job growth dropping 2.9 percentage points to 9.0%. In April, the Montana unemployment rate was at 11.9%. The Montana unemployment rate remained below the national rate of 13.3% in May. More…
June 12 – Governor Bullock Announces $8.7 Million in Emergency Grants to Education Entities
Governor Steve Bullock today announced $8.7 million in federal grants will be distributed to education entities across the state to ramp up remote learning opportunities, technology infrastructure, and workforce training opportunities. More…
June 4 – Governor Bullock Announces Support for Local Meat Processors, Small Businesses and Local Governments Across Montana
Governor Steve Bullock today announced funding through the federal CARES Act will be used to boost in-state processing and storage capacity for local meat processors, to provide additional financial assistance for small businesses, and to reimburse local governments for COVID-19 related expenses. More…
May 28 – Governor Bullock Announces Additional Support for Destination Communities and Small Businesses Heading into Phase 2
Governor Steve Bullock today announced further efforts to protect communities heading into Phase Two of the Reopening the Big Sky Plan on June 1, including additional resources for community testing and contact tracing in high-visitation communities, an informational campaign to educate visitors on responsible travel, and a grant program for small businesses across the state to implement safety measures. More…
May 19 – Governor Bullock Announces Montana to Enter Phase Two of Reopening Plan on June 1st
Governor Steve Bullock today announced the state will move to Phase Two of the Reopening the Big Sky plan and will lift the 14-day out-of-state travel quarantine beginning June 1 as Montana continues to have the lowest number of positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations per capita. More…
May 14 – Governor Bullock Extends Energy Assistance for Thousands of Montanans Impacted by COVID-19
Governor Steve Bullock today announced he is directing $5 million in federal CARES Act funds to expand assistance to thousands of Montanans struggling to afford their home energy needs due to financial strain caused by COVID-19. More…
May 7 – Governor Bullock Announces Additional Phase One Guidelines to Include Gyms, Movie Theaters, and Museums
Governor Steve Bullock today announced additional Phase One guidelines that will allow gyms and fitness studios, movie theaters and museums the option to reopen beginning Friday, May 15 as long as they adhere to strict guidelines limiting capacity, requiring social distancing, and imposing thorough sanitation requirements. More…
May 5 – Governor Bullock Announces $123 Million Available in Emergency Grants
Governor Steve Bullock today announced that families, small businesses, non-profits, health services centers and individuals across Montana hardest-hit by impacts of COVID-19 will be eligible to apply for grants through nine new programs created in response to the emergency. More…
May 4 -Governor Bullock, Coronavirus Resief Fund Advisory Council Recommendation Report
On April 15, Governor Bullock appointed a committee of diverse, geographically distanced Montanans to provide recommendations regarding the guidance and processes for the $1.25B of funding available to Montana through the CARES Act. The committee has released their recommendations, and the report can be viewed here.
April 22 – Governor Bullock Provides Guidance for the Phased Reopening of Montana and Establishes Conditions for Phase One
This Directive provides for the phased reopening of Montana. It establishes guidance applicable to all phases and provides direction for Phase One, including lifting the Stay at Home Directive and reopening non-essential businesses. It also provides local school boards the flexibility to make decisions about the remainder of the academic year. More…
April 21 – Governor Bullock Issues Directives to Increase Frontline Health Provider Capacity, Expand Health Coverage for Routine Care During COVID-19 Emergency
Governor Steve Bullock today issued two directives to increase frontline health care provider capacity to respond to COVID-19 and expand insurance coverage to allow Montanans to access routine health care services while social distancing. “Even as Montanans continue to social distance to protect themselves and their families from COVID-19, they still need access to routine health services,” Governor Bullock said. “These directives will make it easier for Montanans to get a checkup without requiring an in-person visit, protect health care workers, and allow more medical professionals to respond on the frontlines of this public health crisis.” More…
April 21 – Senator Tester Statement on Passage of More Than $480 Billion Interim Coronavirus Relief Package for Montana Small Businesses and Hospitals
Bipartisan deal includes $370 billion for small businesses, $100 billion for health care; …”I’m supporting this bipartisan bill to get more resources to our small businesses and our brave nurses and doctors on the frontlines protecting our communities. We need to slow the spread of the virus while assisting the main street businesses that are the backbone of our economy. I’ll be holding the federal government accountable to ensure the resources we’ve provided today get swiftly to the folks that need them, and working to fix eligibility issues so more Montana small businesses can actually use the programs we’ve created for them.” More…
April 16 – White House Releases Preliminary Guidelines for Reopening the Economy. More…
April 16 – Flathead County Agency on Aging Announces Expansion to Eligibility for Meals on Wheels
To better help those who are experiencing challenges related to COVID-19, the Flathead County Agency on Aging has expanded eligibility for the Meals on Wheels program. We are now offering hot, home-delivered meals and/or frozen meals for pick-up to people age 60 and older, as well as those under 60 with a disability, who normally don’t need assistance but are unable to get adequate nutrition due to sheltering in place or other COVID-related circumstances. More…
April 15 – Governor, First Lady Bullock Announce $15,000 No Kid Hungry Grant Awarded to Kalispell Public Schools for Meals During COVID-19 Emergency
Governor Steve Bullock, First Lady Lisa Bullock, and Montana No Kid Hungry today announced a $15,000 grant to support Kalispell Public Schools Food Service’s work to reach families in need of meals as part of the response to COVID-19…“When faced with difficult challenges, Montana communities rally around each other to support residents,” First Lady Lisa Bullock said. “The way Kalispell Public Schools has responded is a great example of how the entire state is working together to meet the needs of our friends and neighbors.” More…
April 15 – Governor Bullock Announces Coronavirus Relief Task Force
Governor Steve Bullock today announced the establishment of the Coronavirus Relief Fund Task Force to provide guidance and advice on how to best use $1.25 billion appropriated to Montana through the Federal CARES Act to assist workers, businesses, and sectors of the economy impacted by COVID-19. More…
April 13 – Governor Bullock to Provide Emergency Rental Assistance to Families Hardest Hit by COVID-19
Governor Steve Bullock today issued a Directive to provide emergency rental assistance to help families with limited financial resources make ends meet during the unprecedented economic situation caused by COVID-19….The Directive adds to Governor Bullock’s temporary suspension of certain evictions, foreclosures and service disconnections by creating a program to provide rental assistance to households experiencing substantial financial hardship due to COVID-19. The Department of Commerce will announce details on eligibility and the application process on or before April 17, 2020. More…
April 8 – Governor Bullock Announces Federal Support for National Guard to Respond to COVID-19
Governor Steve Bullock today announced federal support for the National Guard to respond to COVID-19 in Montana after President Trump approved the governor’s request for Title 32 status. Title 32 status means the federal government will cover all approved costs incurred by the National Guard, even though the Montana National Guard Soldiers and Airmen remain under the command and direction of the Governor. More…
April 6 – City of Kalispell Declares State of Emergency for COVID-19 Pandemic
The City Manager of the City of Kalispell has issued a Declaration of a State of Local Disaster Emergency in respect to the COVID-19 pandemic; and the City Council finds the Declaration to be in the best interests of the health and general welfare of the City and its residents and therefore desires to ratify the issuance of the Declaration. More…
April 7 – Governor Bullock Extends Directives Issued to Respond to COVID-19 Pandemic
Extension of certain directives through April 24: The March 26 Stay at Home Directive and all of its terms are extended through April 24, 2020…limit foreclosures, evictions, and disconnections from service and all of its terms…restrictions for on-premises food and beverage businesses, and the accompanying expansions for delivery and takeout services…More…
April 7 – Governor Bullock Announces Measures to Protect First Responders
…I have determined, in consultation with public health experts, healthcare providers, and emergency management professionals, that additional measures consistent with public health guidance are necessary throughout the entire State of Montana to protect law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency care providers, corrections officers, and ambulance service attendants (“emergency services providers”) and to preserve increasingly scarce healthcare resources. More…
Governor Bullock Announces Successful Infrastructure Bond Sale to Help Boost Economy Following COVID-19 Governor Steve Bullock today announced the state successfully sold bonds at a historically low interest rate and can move forward with planning infrastructure projects across Montana. The sale of $33 million in bonds will allow the state to begin construction projects that will create jobs and stimulate the economy as soon the projects are ready and it is safe to do so. More…
April 2 – Glacier Park International Airport to Screen Passengers Following Air Travel
Based on a directive issued on March 30 by Montana Governor Steve Bullock, the Montana National Guard will be screening deplaning passengers at all commercial airports in Montana including Glacier Park International Airport. More…
April 1 – Governor Bullock Announces Additional Guidance for Childcare Facilities to Ensure Access for Essential Workers
The state cannot effectively respond to the COVID-19 pandemic if healthcare providers, first responders, and other Montanans performing essential functions cannot work because they are home caring for young children. More…
March 31 – Governor Bullock Directive Implementing Limits on Evictions Foreclosures and Utilities
Many Montanans are faced with the loss of their income and with it, the ability to pay their rent or mortgage…it is essential to public health and human safety that Montanans not be subject to eviction for foreclosure, or other actions that might coerce a homeowner or renter into surrendering their home or rental, for lack of payment during the emergency. More…
March 31 – Governor Bullock Provides Measures to Allow Loans to Medical and Health Facilities for Operating Expenses
As an important provider of financing for the healthcare sector in the state, the Montana Facility Finance Authority (MFFA) has maintained communication with the healthcare sector in Montana to monitor the scope of COVID-19 impacts on Montana’s community health facilities. It has become clear that Montana health facilities need immediate financial support for operating expenses during this crisis. More…
March 30 – Governor Bullock Announces Mandatory Quarantine for Travelers
In consultation with public health experts, health care providers, and emergency management professionals, I have determined that it is essential to the health, safety, and welfare of the State of Montana during the ongoing state of emergency that all travelers, including Montanans, arriving in Montana from another state or country for a non-work-related purpose must immediately self-quarantine for 14 days or for the duration of the person’s presence in Montana, whichever is shorter. More…
March 27 – Glacier National Park is Further Modifying Operations to Implement Local Health Guidance
The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic…Effective at 5 pm on March 27, 2020, Glacier National Park will be closed to all park visitors until further notice. More…
March 26 – Governor Bullock Issues Stay at Home Directive to Slow the Spread of COVID-19
Governor Steve Bullock today issued a Directive requiring Montanans to stay home and temporarily closes all nonessential businesses and operations to curtail the spread of COVID-19. The order, which goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on March 28, will buy time for health care workers on the frontlines and seeks to limit long term impacts to the state’s economy. More…
March 25 – Governor Bullock Directive Providing for Measures to Implement the 2020 June Primary Election Safely
As the number of cases of COVID-19 continues to grow across the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has urged states to “[e]ncourage voters to use voting methods that minimize direct contact with other people and reduce crowd size at polling stations.” More…
March 24 – Governor Bullock Extends Closures and Social Distancing
To curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Montana, it is necessary immediately to implement measures to ensure social distancing to prevent the spread of disease. Such an approach will not only reduce the overall number of infections in the state and preserve increasingly scarce health care resources, but it will allow Montanans an opportunity to continue working without being subject to unnecessary risk. More…
March 20 –Governor Bullock Announces Closure of Dine-In Food Service and Alcoholic Beverage Businesses, and Other Activities that Pose Enhanced Risks to Curtail Spread of COVID-19
To curtail the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Montana, Governor Steve Bullock today announced measures to close dine-in food service and alcoholic beverage businesses and other activities that pose enhanced health risks, effective at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 20, 2020. More…
March 20 – Governor Bullock Extends Montana’s Tax Filing Deadline
Governor Steve Bullock today extended the payment and filing deadlines for 2019 individual income taxpayers to July 15 in accordance with the new federal filing deadline. More…
March 19 – CISA Releases Guidance on Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19
Today, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released guidance to help state and local jurisdictions and the private sector identify and manage their essential workforce while responding to COVID-19. As the Nation comes together to slow the spread of COVID-19, on March 16, the President issued updated Coronavirus Guidance for America. This guidance states that:“If you work in a critical infrastructure industry, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, such as healthcare services and pharmaceutical and food supply, you have a special responsibility to maintain your normal work schedule.” More…
March 19 – Flathead County Order of Health Officer
All bars, breweries, wineries, distilleries, restaurants, casinos, gyms, fitness facilities, athletic centers, workout studios, ice skating rinks, indoor climbing venues, indoor sporting arenas, cinemas, and theatres shall be closed to the public effective at 6:00 a.m. Friday, March 20, 2020 through Monday, March 30, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. pending further notification. More…
March 19 – Governor Bullock Issues Travel Advisory to Slow Spread of COVID-19
Governor Steve Bullock today issued a travel advisory for Montanans who have traveled internationally to self-quarantine for 14 days after returning to Montana. More…
March 19 – Governor Bullock: Directive Implementing Executive Orders 2-2020 and 3-2020 and providing additional direction related to school closures
Executive Orders 2-2020 and 3-2020 declare that a state of emergency exists in Montana due to the global outbreak of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. On March 15, 2020, I issued a Directive pursuant to these executive orders directing the closure of all non-residential public schools in Montana through March 27, 2020, and providing that all eligible schools will continue to receive all state payments. More…
March 17 – Governor Bullock: COVID-19 Update: Public K-12 Schools Closed, Social Distancing Measures Implemented
This week, I announced a set of directives and guidance to slow the spread of COVID-19 and protect vulnerable Montanans, including closing our public K-12 schools, adhering to social distancing, and limiting visitation at nursing home facilities. More…
March 15 – BGOV Bill Summary: H.R. 6201, Coronavirus Aid Deal (Corrected)
Individuals affected by the novel coronavirus could receive paid leave, food assistance and unemployment insurance would be expanded, and Medicaid funding to states would be increased under the House-passed version of H.R. 6201. More…
