Stockgrowers Join Lawsuit Over Ballot Initiative

The Montana Stockgrowers Association has joined a coalition of businesses and nonprofits to petition the Supreme Court to block I-194 from the ballot, citing the initiative is unconstitutional. I-194 would ban businesses and nonprofits from spending money or providing “anything of value” to influence the outcome of ballot measures or other political races.

As written, it would ban all limited-liability entities organized under Montana law or doing business in Montana and similar entities, including family-owned ranches and nonprofit organizations like MSGA, from speaking out about candidates or ballot issues.

The coalition, led by the Montana Chamber of Commerce and Montana Mining Association, also includes Billings Chamber of Commerce, Kalispell Chamber of Commerce, Montana Contractors Association, Montana Petroleum Association, Montana Trucking Association and Treasure State Resource Industry Association. The group seeks to prevent broad restrictions that could impact how Montana businesses and organizations engage on public issues.