Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Montana
RT
Republican · Senator

Russel Tempel

Represents District 14 in the State Senate.

Official site ↗ Email
Votes with Republicans
42%
on 1,083 party-line votes · Senate Republicans median 91%
Cast a vote
99%
Yea or Nay on 3,131 of 3,133 roll calls · Senate median 99%
Their bills that became law
4 of 5
as a primary sponsor, this session · Republicans median 8
Roll calls on record
3,133
2025 Regular Session
Votes and bills updated Oct 5, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 2025 Regular Session.

How Russel Tempel votes

A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.

Where Russel Tempel sits in the Senate

Each dot is one member of the Senate, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Russel Tempel is circled.

Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party

626 of 1,083 party-line votes, most recent 10 shown.

HJ51 · Request interim study on special education
Yea
(S) 3rd Reading Failed · 2025-04-30 · Failed 25–25 · most Republicans voted the other way
HJ48 · Interim study on moving the date of the primary election
Yea
(S) 3rd Reading Concurred · 2025-04-30 · Passed 28–22 · most Republicans voted the other way
HJ42 · Interim study on procurement, no-bid contracts, and transparency on no-bid purchases
Yea
(S) 3rd Reading Concurred · 2025-04-30 · Passed 27–23 · most Republicans voted the other way
HJ65 · Request interim study of DUI
Yea
(S) 3rd Reading Failed · 2025-04-30 · Failed 24–26 · most Republicans voted the other way
HJ50 · Interim study of uniform common interest ownership laws
Yea
(S) 3rd Reading Concurred · 2025-04-30 · Passed 31–19 · most Republicans voted the other way
HJ74 · Study resolution analyzing water re-use in the state
Yea
(S) 3rd Reading Concurred · 2025-04-30 · Passed 33–17 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB542 · Generally revise property tax laws
Yea
(S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted · 2025-04-30 · Passed 28–22 · most Republicans voted the other way
HB231 · Revise property tax rates for certain property
Yea
(S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted · 2025-04-30 · Passed 28–22 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB324 · Revise vehicle registration fees and allocate revenue for bridges and victims of crime
Yea
(S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Rejected · 2025-04-30 · Failed 25–25 · most Republicans voted the other way
SB319 · Generally revise health care laws related to doulas
Yea
(S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted · 2025-04-30 · Passed 28–22 · most Republicans voted the other way
Closest votes they cast

Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.

SB324 · Revise vehicle registration fees and allocate revenue for bridges and victims of crime
Yea
(S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Rejected · 2025-04-30 · Failed 25–25
HJ51 · Request interim study on special education
Yea
(S) 3rd Reading Failed · 2025-04-30 · Failed 25–25
HJ58 · Request interim study on increasing impact of school counselors
Yea
(S) 2nd Reading Pass Motion Failed · 2025-04-29 · Failed 24–24
HB116 · Provide for attorneys to appear remotely
Yea
(S) 2nd Reading Pass Motion Failed · 2025-04-29 · Failed 25–25
HJ71 · Study resolution of the impact of federal funding changes on DEQ
Yea
(S) 2nd Reading Pass Motion Failed · 2025-04-29 · Failed 25–25
Democrats they vote with most

Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.

Dave FernDemocrat · District 2 · 1,637 shared contested votes
77%
Sara NovakDemocrat · District 36 · 1,678 shared contested votes
74%
Derek HarveyDemocrat · District 37 · 1,681 shared contested votes
72%
Their session, month by month

Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (2 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.

2025-01: 140 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2025-02: 471 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2025-03: 705 roll calls, 0 without a Yea or Nay2025-04: 1817 roll calls, 2 without a Yea or NayJan 2025Apr 2025
← Montana Delegation
Their bills, from filing to law

Bills Russel Tempel was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.

Introduced5
Out of committee5
Passed one chamber5
Passed both chambers4
Became law4
Never left committee0

For comparison, the median Republican member of the Senate has 8 bills that became law this session.

What their bills are about
Motor Vehicles 2Transportation 2Legislature 2Counties 1Local Government 1City Subjects 1
Revise education laws related to a teacher's authority to maintain a positive classroom environment
Failed(S) Died in Process · 2025-05-23
Revise fee for issuing an execution or order of sale on foreclosure of lien
Became lawChapter Number Assigned · 2025-05-16
Eliminate a defense to the vehicle noise statute
Became lawChapter Number Assigned · 2025-05-08
Confirm governor's appointee for director of the department of transportation
Became law(S) Filed with Secretary of State · 2025-04-14
Confirm governor's appointees for transportation commission
Became law(S) Filed with Secretary of State · 2025-04-02

Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.

Loading committees…
HJ26 · 2025-04-30
Study guardianships and conservatorships ((S) 3rd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 29-21
Yea
HJ61 · 2025-04-30
Interim study on the property insurance market in Montana ((S) 3rd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 38-12
Nay
HJ60 · 2025-04-30
Interim study on the effects and regulation of kratom ((S) 3rd Reading Failed)
Failed · 24-26
Nay
HJ62 · 2025-04-30
Study resolution on wildfire safety ((S) 3rd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 34-16
Yea
HB513 · 2025-04-30
Revise laws related to use of name, voice, and likeness of individuals and penalties for unauthorized use ((S) 3rd Reading Governor's Proposed Amendments Adopted)
Passed · 50-0
Yea
SB319 · 2025-04-30
Generally revise health care laws related to doulas ((S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted)
Passed · 28-22
Yea
SB324 · 2025-04-30
Revise vehicle registration fees and allocate revenue for bridges and victims of crime ((S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Rejected)
Failed · 25-25
Yea
HB682 · 2025-04-30
Generally revise laws regarding gender transition treatment ((S) 3rd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted)
Passed · 32-18
Yea
HB381 · 2025-04-30
Provide for educational credit for students volunteering in long term care, nursing home, home care, and child care settings ((S) 3rd Reading Governor's Proposed Amendments Adopted)
Passed · 50-0
Yea
HB329 · 2025-04-30
Make the Montana ammunition act permanent ((S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted)
Passed · 41-9
Yea
HB818 · 2025-04-30
Ban foreign funding for ballot measures ((S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted)
Passed · 37-13
Yea
SB446 · 2025-04-30
Revise laws related to healthcare utilization review ((S) 3rd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted)
Passed · 50-0
Yea
HB231 · 2025-04-30
Revise property tax rates for certain property ((S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted)
Passed · 28-22
Yea
SB542 · 2025-04-30
Generally revise property tax laws ((S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted)
Passed · 28-22
Yea
SB40 · 2025-04-30
Revise supreme court public records laws by opening deliberations and files to the public ((S) 3rd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted)
Passed · 33-17
Yea
SB472 · 2025-04-30
Revise penalties for violations under 310 permit process ((S) 3rd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted)
Passed · 42-8
Yea
HJ74 · 2025-04-30
Study resolution analyzing water re-use in the state ((S) 3rd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 33-17
Yea
HJ50 · 2025-04-30
Interim study of uniform common interest ownership laws ((S) 3rd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 31-19
Yea
HJ47 · 2025-04-30
Study resolution on local government entity cooperation ((S) 3rd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 33-16
Nay
HB117 · 2025-04-30
Establish criminal justice data warehouse priorities ((S) 3rd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted)
Passed · 45-5
Nay
HJ65 · 2025-04-30
Request interim study of DUI ((S) 3rd Reading Failed)
Failed · 24-26
Yea
HJ42 · 2025-04-30
Interim study on procurement, no-bid contracts, and transparency on no-bid purchases ((S) 3rd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 27-23
Yea
HJ44 · 2025-04-30
Interim study of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and water quality ((S) 3rd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 40-9
Yea
HJ48 · 2025-04-30
Interim study on moving the date of the primary election ((S) 3rd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 28-22
Yea
HJ55 · 2025-04-30
Study resolution on property management licensing and practice ((S) 3rd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 34-16
Yea
HJ52 · 2025-04-30
Interim study on the Montana cattle industry ((S) 3rd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 36-14
Yea
HJ51 · 2025-04-30
Request interim study on special education ((S) 3rd Reading Failed)
Failed · 25-25
Yea
SB524 · 2025-04-30
Revise laws relating to category D assisted living facilities ((S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted)
Passed · 45-5
Yea
HJ26 · 2025-04-29
Study guardianships and conservatorships ((S) 3rd Reading Failed)
Failed · 24-26
Nay
SB424 · 2025-04-29
Revising the disabled veteran property tax assistance program ((S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House)
Passed · 50-0
Yea
SB535 · 2025-04-29
Revise laws related to experimental treatments ((S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House)
Passed · 29-21
Yea
SB253 · 2025-04-29
Revise administrative and certification processes for student scholarship organizations ((S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House)
Passed · 49-1
Yea
HJ61 · 2025-04-29
Interim study on the property insurance market in Montana ((S) 2nd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 42-7
Yea
HB513 · 2025-04-29
Revise laws related to use of name, voice, and likeness of individuals and penalties for unauthorized use ((S) 2nd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted)
Passed · 48-0
Yea
HJ60 · 2025-04-29
Interim study on the effects and regulation of kratom ((S) 2nd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 34-15
Yea
SB93 · 2025-04-29
Revise income taxes related to retired military members ((S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House)
Passed · 50-0
Yea
SB319 · 2025-04-29
Generally revise health care laws related to doulas ((S) 2nd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted)
Passed · 29-21
Yea
HJ45 · 2025-04-29
Interim study on the impact collateral consequences have on criminal record expungement ((S) 3rd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 31-19
Yea
HB116 · 2025-04-29
Provide for attorneys to appear remotely ((S) Taken from Committee; Placed on 2nd Reading)
Passed · 26-24
Yea
HB682 · 2025-04-29
Generally revise laws regarding gender transition treatment ((S) 2nd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted)
Passed · 44-6
Yea
HJ40 · 2025-04-29
Interim study on transferring fiscal note production from executive branch to legislative branch ((S) 3rd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 37-13
Nay
SB218 · 2025-04-29
Provide for private right of action for injuries caused by certain medical interventions to treat gender dysphoria ((S) 3rd Reading Governor's Proposed Amendments Adopted)
Passed · 31-19
Nay
SB537 · 2025-04-29
Generally revise marijuana tax laws ((S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House)
Passed · 42-8
Nay
HB381 · 2025-04-29
Provide for educational credit for students volunteering in long term care, nursing home, home care, and child care settings ((S) 2nd Reading Governor's Proposed Amendments Adopted)
Passed · 48-0
Yea
HJ30 · 2025-04-29
Study resolution on incentivizing housing density and affordability ((S) 3rd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 37-12
Yea
HJ28 · 2025-04-29
Interim study to identify and improve access to federal grant opportunities for the state of Montana, tribal governments, and local government entities ((S) 3rd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 29-21
Yea
HJ23 · 2025-04-29
Interim study on youth court laws ((S) 3rd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 34-16
Yea
HB446 · 2025-04-29
Revise indecent exposure laws ((S) 3rd Reading Governor's Proposed Amendments Adopted)
Passed · 31-19
Nay
HJ32 · 2025-04-29
Interim study of advanced investigator qualifications for law enforcement ((S) 3rd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 37-13
Yea
HJ52 · 2025-04-29
Interim study on the Montana cattle industry ((S) 2nd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 35-15
Yea
HB818 · 2025-04-29
Ban foreign funding for ballot measures ((S) 2nd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted)
Passed · 39-11
Yea
SB446 · 2025-04-29
Revise laws related to healthcare utilization review ((S) 2nd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted)
Passed · 48-1
Yea
HJ51 · 2025-04-29
Request interim study on special education ((S) 2nd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 27-22
Yea
HB76 · 2025-04-29
Generally revise laws related to the board of behavioral health ((S) 3rd Reading Governor's Proposed Amendments Adopted)
Passed · 42-8
Yea
SB326 · 2025-04-29
Generally revise laws related to MEDIA Act film tax credits ((S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House)
Passed · 31-19
Nay
SB40 · 2025-04-29
Revise supreme court public records laws by opening deliberations and files to the public ((S) 2nd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted)
Passed · 47-2
Yea
HB271 · 2025-04-29
Provide that there is a limited executive privilege to the public records act ((S) 3rd Reading Concurred)
Passed · 27-23
Nay
HJ58 · 2025-04-29
Request interim study on increasing impact of school counselors ((S) 2nd Reading Pass Motion Failed)
Failed · 24-24
Yea
HJ58 · 2025-04-29
Request interim study on increasing impact of school counselors ((S) 2nd Reading Indefinitely Postponed)
Passed · 31-18
Nay
SB524 · 2025-04-29
Revise laws relating to category D assisted living facilities ((S) 2nd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted)
Passed · 41-6
Yea
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 3133 total roll-call votes this session).
Voting data provided by LegiScan, licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Capitol Office
📍Capitol Building, 1301 E. 6th Ave. P.O. Box 200500, Helena, MT 59620
District-Mail Office
📍P.O. Box 131, Chester, MT 59522
Follow Russel Tempel

One email a week, only when there’s something: every time they broke with their party, and the closest votes they cast. Free, and you can stop any time.

+ Advertise on this pageReach District 14 constituents