HELENA – A ballot initiative has been filed to make rodeo the official state sport of Montana.
The initiative, submitted by a group led by Stevensville’s Troy Hudson, has been referred to the Montana Attorney General’s office for consideration. Once the proposed legislative initiative receives regulatory approval, approximately 30,100 signatures will need to be collected for the measure to appear on the ballot for the November 2024 general election.
“I grew up in a ranch family in Montana. Having worked with cattle and cowboys my entire life, I understand the social and cultural significance of American rodeo,” Hudson said in a press release. “For many Montana cities, the rodeo is the community event of the year.
“That’s because it is a showcase of the Montana way of life while preserving family traditions and Western values. It is also one of the few sports where both the animals and the cowboys and cowgirls are the outstanding athletes.”
The wording of the proposal states that the initiative will legally declare American rodeo the official sport of Montana. The group states that the American rodeo is both the embodiment of Montana’s historic way of life and a tribute to the state’s unique Western culture.
Another sponsor of the initiative, James Brown of Dillon, stated, “I can’t think of a more fitting way to honor the history of rodeo and its place in Montana’s history than to make rodeo a Treasure State sport.” If that measure If voted on by the people, the American rodeo will have a place in Montana law alongside other Montana treasures such as the western meadowlark, grizzly bear and bitterroot flower.”
The group submitted the ballot initiative to the Montana Secretary of State in July. If the ballot is approved for distribution, the committee will appear at rodeos and other community events throughout Montana to collect the required number of signatures.
Comments are closed.