Reilly Neill in State of Montana Archives

On Education: Support public education across the state

Q: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

A: Making sure people on both sides of the aisle are treated fairly is important to me. I believe equality is the foundation of our democratic system. I want to work for a strong, sustainable economy in Montana, support public education across the state, and honor & respect treaties & compacts with tribal peoples.

On Energy & Oil: Campaign centered on issue of climate change

On Principles & Values: Campaign hamstrung by state party, money, & media

On Welfare & Poverty: Need to double down on community effort to feed the hungry

On Energy & Oil: We need to remove politics from science of climate change

On Energy & Oil: Find commonality to address man-made climate change

I'm interested in engaging with both sides of the aisle going forward to make sure Montana is prepared for climate variability in our state agencies. We need to build resiliency into our state systems to prepare for the future.

On Environment: Apply science to best preserve our public lands

I believe in science. From stream flows to crop yields, science is an integral part of a modern economy. We need a Governor who will not undermine the labor of scientists across working every day on advances in medical, agricultural and business fields across the state. We need to use studies and data from biology, engineering, physics, and other sciences in order to make wise decisions for the state.

The land in Montana is a special place, with significance to us all, in some way or another, we are all part of this land where we live. Preserving our public lands and managing these lands so that future generations have rights to hunt, fish and recreate is a priority for me and many Montanans.

On Families & Children: Oppose needing written parental permission for sex education

Analysis by Rewire.News: HB 239 would have required a school district to obtain written consent from a parent before instructing students in human sexuality education. HB 239 would have also prohibited school districts from allowing any abortion services provider from offering any materials at schools.

Veto message:The Montana Constitution vests supervision and control of our public schools in locally elected school boards. HB 239 would improvidently intrude upon the constitutional authority of the Board of Public Education and local boards. If parents are concerned about matters relating to the education of their children, they can and should address those concerns with their local school board.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 28-22-0 on Apr/8/13; Passed House 56-41-3 on Apr/13/13; State Rep. Reilly Neill voted NO; Vetoed by Governor Steve Bullock on Apr/25/13

On Civil Rights: Repeal criminalization of gay sex under state law

Analysis by The Atlantic: Under Montana's state legislation, gay sex, [before this bill, was] a felony punishable with up to 10 years in jail and a $50,000 fine. SB 107 would change the definition of "deviate sexual relations" in the state--a full 16 years after the state Supreme Court ruled that the language criminalizing gay sex as unconstitutional--and no longer lump in gay sex as the same kind of crime as having sex with an animal.

The bloc of 36 Republicans want to keep the law in place: "Sex that doesn't produce people is deviant," says Rep. Dave Hagstrom. Rep. Jerry O'Neil, who also voted against the bill, said. "If some 2nd-grade teacher wants to introduce her lover to the kids, there isn't anything that the school board can do to stop that."

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 38-11-1 on Feb/20/13; Passed House 64-35-1 on Apr/10/13; State Rep. Reilly Neill voted YES; Signed by Governor Steve Bullock on A

On Abortion: Oppose "ministries" outside of birth control insurance law

Summary by The Montana Post, May 25, 2018: Under SB181, reproductive health care options can be refused in the same manner Hobby Lobby refuses to cover birth control for their employees. The Democratic State Auditor's office noted the measure would strip consumers of health insurance protections under state insurance law and prevent the agency from investigating complaints.

Governor's Veto Message, Apr/5/13 : SB 181 creates a loophole in the insurance code for any entity calling itself a "health care sharing ministry." By exempting these ministries from the same regulations governing other insurers, SB 181 opens the door to fraud and abuse. It would distort the charitable purpose of health care sharing ministries and leave Montanans vulnerable.

Legislative outcome: on 2/22/13: Passed Senate 31-18-1; on 3/20/13: Passed House 58-39-3; Rep. Neill voted NO; Vetoed by Gov. Bullock 4/5/13.

On Gun Control: Don't bar state enforcement of any federal semi-auto gun ban

Analysis by Associated Press in The Missoulian, March 28, 2013: House Bill 302 was backed by gun advocates who argued the state should be ready in case Congress enacts a gun ban. But Bullock said in his veto message that it does not appear Congress will ban assault weapons, calling the bill "unnecessary political theater."

Veto Message : HB302 puts law enforcement in the position of violating laws they have sworn to uphold. Public safety officers take an oath to "enforce or apply all laws and regulations" and also to "work in unison with all legally authorized agencies" [including federal laws and agencies]. HB 302 would subject our peace officers to criminal sanctions for upholding their oath.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 28-21-1 on Mar/13/13; Passed House 62-35-3 on Mar/20/13; State Rep. Reilly Neill voted NO; Vetoed by Gov. Bullock on Mar/28/13.