Governor Greg Gianforte and Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras marked a significant milestone in their administration’s ongoing efforts to streamline government regulations, celebrating the repeal or amendment of over 25% of state regulations in the last four years.
Speaking on the success of the Red Tape Relief Task Force, Gov. Gianforte emphasized the state’s commitment to reducing bureaucratic hurdles that have been in place for more than a century.
“Working with dedicated state employees, we tackled outdated regulations—some of which had been on the books for 130 years,” Gianforte said. “From day one, I promised to make government more responsive and efficient, and we’re delivering on that promise.”
In his first week in office, the governor signed an executive order establishing the Red Tape Relief Task Force, charging state agencies with conducting a comprehensive review of regulations. Led by Lt. Gov. Juras, the task force collaborated with legislators to introduce 188 red tape relief bills in the last legislative session. Of those, more than 170 were signed into law.
These legislative measures focused on modernizing state statutes, improving government efficiency, and fostering economic growth. One example of reform includes the Department of Environmental Quality’s streamlining of permitting processes, removing bureaucratic delays that affected homebuilders and job creators. Additionally, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) introduced an electronic tagging system through its mobile app, simplifying the process for hunters.
Building on this momentum, the Gianforte administration has introduced nearly 100 additional red tape relief bills in the current legislative session.
“While I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, our work isn’t finished,” Lt. Gov. Juras said. “We remain committed to cutting unnecessary regulations to better serve Montanans.”
As the administration continues its push for regulatory reform, lawmakers will consider new proposals aimed at further simplifying government processes and enhancing efficiency across the state.
By DNU Staff