Governor Gianforte Launches Fifth Annual 56 County Tour

• May 15 2025

SIDNEY, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte launched his fifth annual 56 County Tour as governor, meeting with Montanans in Sheridan, Daniels, Roosevelt, McCone, and Richland counties.

“Over the course of the next few months, we’ll hit the road visiting each of Montana’s 56 counties to celebrate all that the Treasure State has to offer,” Gov. Gianforte said. “From honoring our nation’s heroes, to celebrating wins from the legislative session, to highlighting our small business owners, farmers, and ranchers – we’ll be recognizing exceptional Montanans across our great state.”

Kicking off the tour in Sheridan County, the governor held a bill signing ceremony to highlight licensing reforms passed during the 2025 legislative session. Joining the bill sponsor, Rep. Valerie Moore, R-Plentywood, Gov. Gianforte held a ceremonial signing for House Bill 426, a bill that clarifies laws relating to licensing for real estate appraisers.

As part of an effort led by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI), House Bill 426 is one of 26 pieces of legislation aimed at reforming Montana’s occupational licensing framework. The bills standardize licensing applications, processes, and ensure recognition of out-of-state and military credentials across nearly 200 license types issued to nearly 200,000 Montanans.

“This package of 26 bills represents the most comprehensive licensing reform Montana has seen in a generation. Time to licensure matters, for barbers, nurses, contractors, therapists, accountants, and so many others. When Montanans are waiting on us to enter the workforce, it hurts our economy, our communities, and their families,” DLI Commissioner Sarah Swanson said. “Thanks to these reforms, our Department will be able to serve both licensees and the public more effectively.”

Continuing the tour in Daniels County, Gov. Gianforte toured Cahill Seeds to highlight the legacy of the family-owned business that’s operated in Flaxville for over 30 years. As one of Montana’s largest seed growers, Cahill Seeds produces wheat, peas, lentils, chickpeas, canola, flax, and other varietals, serving eastern Montana, Canada, and other states.

Gov. Gianforte visiting Cahill Seeds in Flaxville

To help small businesses, as well as family farms and ranches, the governor worked with the legislature in 2023 to increase the business equipment tax exemption from $100,000 to $1 million, eliminating the tax burden for 5,000 Montana businesses. 

Continuing to Roosevelt County, the governor visited Wolf Point High School to celebrate recent investments to raise starting teacher pay.

Signing into law the STARS Act, the governor last week invested more than $100 million to raise starting teacher pay in Montana. This investment builds on the success of his TEACH Act, which in its first year, helped nearly 500 new teachers begin their careers.

Visiting with a Wolf Point High teacher who was a beneficiary of the TEACH Act in 2023, Gov. Gianforte heard of the impact of the investment.

“The TEACH Act was such a benefit to me, as it provided, obviously extra funding, but also allowed be to come home and teach. And it's motivating to have those type of incentives, it helps those that are new to the career have a little extra motivation to get started and get going and continue our career here in Montana,” said second year teacher Ms. Harada.

Traveling to McCone County, the governor toured Circle H Nutrition to spotlight the family-owned business supplying local ranchers with minerals, vaccines, and more.

Founded by Flint and Jana Hance of Hance Red Angus, Circle H Nutrition opened 16 years ago as the family stepped up to fill a need in the ag community.

Rounding out the day in Richland County, the governor held a bill signing ceremony in Sidney to recognize licensing reform for contractors in the construction industry.

At a job site at the Sidney Health Center, Gov. Gianforte ceremonially signed House Bill 239, sponsored by Rep. Morgan Thiel, R-Sidney, to highlight the impact of the reform for construction companies.

Gov. Gianforte signs House Bill 239 with House Speaker Brandon Ler, Rep. Thiel, DLI Commissioner Swanson in Sidney

“House Bill 239 was a big win for licensing reform,” said Rep. Thiel. “It was great to work with the governor’s office and the Department of Labor and Industry. I think we took commonsense steps forward to help good contractors keep working faster and protect consumers from fraudulent ones.”

Joining the governor for the ceremony was DLI Commissioner Sarah Swanson, and House Speaker Brandon Ler, R-Savage.

“We got all 26 licensing reform bills through and that was a testament to Commissioner Swanson and bill carriers like Representative Thiel that did their legislative work,” said Speaker Ler. “It was an honor to work with all of them and I’m glad we could get all the good work done we did.”

The governor tomorrow will continue his 56 County Tour in Dawson, Prairie, and Custer counties.

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