Gov. Gianforte Celebrates Legislative Partnerships, Business Innovation on 56 County Tour

• June 18 2025

MISSOULA, Mont. – Governor Gianforte today continued his 56 County Tour visiting with Montanans in Flathead, Lake, and Missoula counties to celebrate legislative partnerships and business innovation in western Montana.

“Working with our partners in the legislature this session, we continued our commonsense approach to ensuring Montana remains the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” Gov. Gianforte said. “As we’re out on the road for the 56 County Tour, it’s great to thank the legislators, business owners, and hardworking Montanans preserving our way of life and supporting our communities.”

Gov. Gianforte signing a bill with Bill Miles, Rep. Courtenay Sprunger, and DLI Commissioner Sarah Swanson, from left to right, in Flathead County

Starting off the day in Kalispell, the governor visited Flathead Electric to highlight the co-op and to hold a bill signing ceremony for House Bill 226. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Courtenay Sprunger, R-Kalispell, establishes the Legal Employment and Government Accountability law to require employer verification for lawful employment in Montana.

Joining Rep. Sprunger, Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) Commissioner Sarah Swanson, and local contractor, Bill Miles, the governor signed the bill and visited with Flathead Electric employees and members of the Kalispell business community.

“This bill is about protecting Montana workers, holding employers accountable to hire people who have the constitutional right to work here, and making sure the rules are followed fairly without adding red tape,” Gov. Gianforte said.

DLI Commissioner Sarah Swanson added, “The new law gives the state of Montana the critical enforcement tools that we need to make sure that every worker has lawful status to be here in Montana and, more importantly, we did it without growing government.”

“My family has been in the Flathead for five generations, so when people, who have worked hard to build a business and opportunity for their family, like Bill Miles, say that they are getting beat out by their competitors who aren’t using legal labor, we knew we had to do something,” Rep. Sprunger said. “I reached out to Commissioner Swanson and Sheriff Brian Heino to take a constitutional approach to this issue, to ensure the businesses who are following proper employment practices have a fair and level playing field.”

Gov. Gianforte visiting the Rocky Mountain Twist manufacturing facility in Lake County

Traveling to Lake County, Gov. Gianforte visited Rocky Mountain Twist, an industry leader in design, engineering, and manufacturing of high-performance cutting tools. Founded in 2001 in Ronan, Rocky Mountain Twist manufactures custom drill bits in its 300,000 square foot manufacturing facility.

Visiting with President Mick Cheff, the governor toured the facility to learn about the business. With nearly 300 employees, Rocky Mountain Twist manufacturers drill bits for retail companies such as Kobalt and Spyder, and industrial products for the aerospace industry to fulfill contacts with companies like Boeing and Lockheed-Martin.

Gov. Gianforte talking with A.J. Angelo at the DNRC Equipment Development and Communications Center in Missoula

Traveling to Missoula County, the governor joined the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to highlight Montana’s wildfire, preparedness, and response efforts and unveil a new, redesigned 2.0 wildland fire engine.

Touring the DNRC Equipment Development and Communications Center in Missoula, the governor learned more about the department’s new fire engines. The latest set of engines will bolster the department’s County Co-op Program to support rural, volunteer, and county fire departments across all 56 counties.

Providing fire equipment, technical assistance, and training at no cost through the program, DNRC has 257 County Co-op engines that are strategically located across Montana. The redesigned 2.0 engine, developed and built in Missoula by DNRC, is fully equipped to provide initial attack on wildland fires with its standardized, turnkey-ready design for more efficient use and maintenance at a fraction of the market cost.

“The 2.0 engines will significantly enhance the DNRC’s and local fire departments’ capabilities to respond swiftly and effectively to fires across the state,” said A.J. Angelo, DNRC Equipment Development and Communications Center program manager.

Signing into law House Bill 883, Gov. Gianforte made a historic $60 million investment to bolster the state’s ability to fight fires. Approximately $800,000 of the additional funding was allocated to purchase and build equipment to be distributed through the County Co-op Program, like the new engines.

Since the governor took office, DNRC, under the direction of Director Amanda Kaster, kept 95 percent of fires under its direct protection to 10 acres or fewer. Earlier this month, Gov. Gianforte received the 2025 Fire Season Briefing.

During the briefing, fire management professionals expressed their anticipation for significant wildfire potential in western Montana in July, expanding to central and eastern Montana in August and September. Drier and warmer conditions are expected to begin in June and persist through August. You can learn more about the briefing here.