Laura Smith (Montana)

Laura has a bachelor's degree from the University of Utah, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania. She is married to her husband, Mac, with whom they have and two daughters together. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the statewide Audit Committee. 

Laura is an attorney, and currently serves as the Deputy Director for the Montana State Health Department. She previously served as a federal prosecutor specializing in fraud. 

Laura Smith is currently representing Montana House District 79. She was elected to this position in 2023, and is serving her first term. 

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "Laura led efforts to ensure Montanans aren't priced out of living in our state, co-sponsoring legislation to increase affordable housing and keep costs reasonable for renters."

As a House Representative, she co-sponsored legislation aimed to expand affordable housing and keep prices reasonable for renters.

- As a House Representative, she co-sponsored legislation aimed to expand affordable housing and keep prices reasonable for renters.

Economy

The candidate's website says, "Laura sponsored and successfully passed three major bills to make childhood safe for all kids: closing a loophole in child sexual abuse statutes, ... and preventing kids from being unnecessarily shackled in juvenile court."

As a House Representative, she "sponsored and...passed three major bills to make childhood safe for all kids: closing a loophole in child sexual abuse statutes, ... and preventing kids from being unnecessarily shackled in juvenile court."

Supports citizen privacy, autonomy, and independence, and wants to ensure digital, cellular data, and confidential health information remains private.

- As a House Representative, she "sponsored and...passed three major bills to make childhood safe for all kids: closing a loophole in child sexual abuse statutes, ... and preventing kids from being unnecessarily shackled in juvenile court."
- Supports citizen privacy, autonomy, and independence, and wants to ensure digital, cellular data, and confidential health information remains private.

Public Safety

The candidate's website says, "Laura led a bipartisan bill back from the brink to ensure that individuals struggling with substance use disorders (SUDs) can access care, especially with rising program costs."

As a House Representative, she led a bipartisan bill back aimed to ensure individuals struggling with substance use disorders (SUDs) have access to adequate care. 

The candidate's website says, "Laura fought back against extremist legislation that tried to create a state registry of abortions... The change closed an overlooked loophole that allowed private health care information to be used in criminal prosecutions..."

Said she "fought back against extremist legislation that tried to create a state registry of abortions."

- As a House Representative, she led a bipartisan bill back aimed to ensure individuals struggling with substance use disorders (SUDs) have access to adequate care. 
- Said she "fought back against extremist legislation that tried to create a state registry of abortions."

Healthcare

As of September 17, 2024, Laura Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Education

Voting & Elections

Supports legislation keeping public lands accessible to citizens, and opposes legislation allowing state land to be sold to the highest bidder.

- Advocates for state wildlife.
- Supports legislation keeping public lands accessible to citizens, and opposes legislation allowing state land to be sold to the highest bidder.

Energy & the Environment

Twitter

Facebook

Laura Smith

- Your State Senator participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 50 members of the Montana Senate. The Montana Senate is the upper house of the Montana State Legislature (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Senator drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Senator can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Senator is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- State Senators are elected to a 4-year term. Individuals can serve no more than 8 years in a 16-year period.