HB257 prohibits emergency orders from restricting the ability of private business to conduct business. It also limits local governments or health officers from certain actions such as issuing fines or revoking licenses, which restricts private business and potentially deters customers.
The Montana State House of Representatives passed HB257 on April 29, 2021 by a vote of 68 to 31. We have assigned pluses to the ayes because businesses should not have to comply with draconian orders to shut down businesses during a pandemic or any other emergency by an unelected health officer or health board. Businesses and individual consumers have the freedom to conduct business and to buy products without the government meddling in their affairs. The Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” and government interference in entrepreneurship and private business is in violation of that belief.