Montana
State Constitution
Constitution Text
Preamble
We the people of Montana grateful to God for the quiet beauty of our state, the grandeur of our mountains, the vastness of our rolling plains, and desiring to improve the quality of life, equality of opportunity and to secure the blessings of liberty for this and future generations do ordain and establish this constitution.
Article I: COMPACT WITH THE UNITED STATES
Section 1: Full Text
All provisions of the enabling act of Congress (approved February 22, 1889, 25 Stat. 676), as amended and of Ordinance No. 1, appended to the Constitution of the state of Montana and approved February 22, 1889, including the agreement and declaration that all lands owned or held by any Indian or Indian tribes shall remain under the absolute jurisdiction and control of the congress of the United States , continue in full force and effect until revoked by the consent of the United States and the people of Montana.
Article III: GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Section 7: Number of electors. (1) The number of qualified electors required in each legislative representative district and in the state shall be determined by the number of votes cast for the office of governor in the preceding general election.
(2) For the purposes of a constitutional amendment, the number of qualified electors in each county and in the state shall be determined by the number of votes cast for the office of governor in the preceding general election. (3) For the purposes of a statutory initiative, the number of qualified electors required in each county and in the state shall be determined by the number of votes cast for the office of governor in the preceding general election.
Article V: THE LEGISLATURE
Section 13: Impeachment. (1) The governor, executive officers, heads of state departments, judicial officers, and such other officers as may be provided by law are subject to impeachment, and upon conviction shall be removed from office. Other proceedings for removal from public office for cause may be provided by law.
(2) The legislature shall provide for the manner, procedure, and causes for impeachment and may select the senate as tribunal. (3) Impeachment shall be brought only by a two-thirds vote of the house. The tribunal hearing the charges shall convict only by a vote of two-thirds or more of its members. (4) Conviction shall extend only to removal from office, but the party, whether convicted or acquitted, shall also be liable to prosecution according to law.
Article VIII: REVENUE AND FINANCE
Section 5: Property tax exemptions. (1) The legislature may exempt from taxation:
(a) Property of the United States, the state, counties, cities, towns, school districts, municipal corporations, and public libraries, but any private interest in such property may be taxed separately. (b) Institutions of purely public charity, hospitals and places of burial not used or held for private or corporate profit, places for actual religious worship, and property used exclusively for educational purposes. (c) Any other classes of property. (2) The legislature may authorize creation of special improvement districts for capital improvements and the maintenance thereof. It may authorize the assessment of charges for such improvements and maintenance against tax exempt property directly benefited thereby.
Section 6: Highway revenue non-diversion. (1) Revenue from gross vehicle weight fees and excise and license taxes (except general sales and use taxes) on gasoline, fuel, and other energy sources used to propel vehicles on public highways shall be used as authorized by the legislature, after deduction of statutory refunds and adjustments, solely for:
(a) Payment of obligations incurred for construction, reconstruction, repair, operation, and maintenance of public highways, streets, roads, and bridges. (b) Payment of county, city, and town obligations on streets, roads, and bridges. (c) Enforcement of highway safety, driver education, tourist promotion, and administrative collection costs. (2) Such revenue may be appropriated for other purposes by a three-fifths vote of the members of each house of the legislature.
Article XIV: CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION
Section 11: Submission. If more than one amendment is submitted at the same election, each shall be so prepared and distinguished that it can be voted upon separately.
Done in open convention at the city of Helena, in the state of Montana, this twenty-second day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and seventy-two. ### TRANSITION SCHEDULE The following provisions shall remain part of this Constitution until their terms have been executed. Once each year the attorney general shall review the following provisions and certify to the secretary of state which, if any, have been executed. Any provisions so certified shall thereafter be removed from this Schedule and no longer published as part of this Constitution.
Source: Imported from all_50_state_constitutions_FINAL.md
Last Updated: June 28, 2026
Overview
The Montana Constitution of 1972 serves as the fundamental law of the state, establishing the framework for government and protecting the rights of its citizens.
History
Montana was admitted to the Union on November 8, 1889.
The current constitution was adopted in 1972. State constitutions are often amended more frequently than the federal Constitution, reflecting changing needs and values of state residents.
Structure of Government
Legislative
State Legislature
Executive
Governor & Cabinet
Judicial
State Courts
Bill of Rights
Like the U.S. Constitution, the Montana Constitution includes protections for individual rights and liberties. State constitutions often provide broader protections than the federal Constitution, serving as a "floor" rather than a "ceiling" for rights.