In our final episode for the 2021 legislative session, we're looking at new laws, how lawmakers sought to asset more power among Montana's branches of government and what loose ends remain as we head into the interim.

This week we’re watching how the Republican majority is spending their mandate from voters as the session is winding down and last minute legislation.

This week we’re watching a mounting dispute over separation of powers between the Legislature and the Montana Supreme Court. We’re also watching the debate on a bill that would incentivize the state’s largest utility to buy more of the Colstrip coal-fired power plant.

This week we’re watching proposed changes to social safety net eligibility, parental rights and the ideological split within the GOP over marijuana taxes.

This week we’re watching how lawmakers are piecing the budget puzzle together. Major questions remain over new taxes cuts, funding state agencies, what to do with federal stimulus and recreational marijuana.

This week we’re watching the legal marijuana bill take shape, lawmakers consider the former governor’s district court judge nominees, and proposals to change elections in the state.

This week we’re watching the state budgets, recreational marijuana and bills that would carry impacts for LGBTQ people.

This week we’re starting to see the state budget take shape; recreational marijuana regulations are coming soon; and Democrats try again with tax changes as Republican plans move forward.

As of mid-day Thursday 1,121 had been introduced and Gov. Greg Gianforte had signed 38 bills into law. This week we’re breaking down what made it across the transmittal deadline, what failed and where the session is going next.

The legislature faces a Wednesday, March 3 deadline for general policy bills from the House to make their way to the Senate, and vice versa. Bills that appropriate money can still be introduced.