Montana Lawmakers Fail to Override Governor’s Veto of Marijuana Tax Revenue Bill

OG Article By Anthony Martinelli in News Watch Today's LIVE Episode on YouTube, X, and Rumble

July 17, 2025

An effort by Montana lawmakers to override Governor Greg Gianforte’s veto of Senate Bill 537 has officially failed, effectively halting a sweeping proposal to restructure how the state allocates its marijuana tax revenue.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Daniel Zolnikov, received strong bipartisan support when it initially passed—clearing the Senate in a 42 to 8 vote and the House by a 17 to 6 margin. That two-thirds majority in both chambers left open the possibility of overriding the governor’s veto, but that path has now been closed.Senate Bill 537 would have overhauled the state’s marijuana tax distribution system, creating several new dedicated accounts, including the Habitat Legacy Account, the Land and Wildlife Stewardship Fund, and a Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings Account. It also proposed expanding funding to the HEART (Healing and Ending Addiction Through Recovery and Treatment) account and directing millions to nonprofit homeless shelters for case management services.

Other provisions included grants to law enforcement agencies for drug-detection canine training, crisis intervention instruction, and forensic exams in sexual assault cases.

Supporters had touted the bill as a balanced and forward-thinking way to reinvest marijuana revenue into public health, safety, and conservation. However, with the veto override attempt now unsuccessful, the state will continue to operate under the existing marijuana tax structure.