The Montana House on Wednesday voted down a bill that would have banned mRNA vaccines statewide, including the Covid-19 vaccine.

After passing out of committee on a party line vote last week, House Bill 371, sponsored by Rep. Greg Kmetz, R-Miles City, garnered the opposition of 24 Republicans at its second reading on the House floor, leading to the legislation's defeat, 66-34.  

The bill would have prohibited administering gene-based vaccines to a human in the state. Violating the law would have resulted in a $500 fine and misdemeanor charge as well as the potential revocation of a license.  

The legislation was first heard with testimony for and against it in the House Judiciary Committee last week.  

Committee members and Reps. Amy Regier, R-Kalispell, and Tracy Sharp, R-Polson, changed their votes at the second reading. After voting for the bill in its committee hearing, both Regier and Sharp voted against the legislation on the House floor.  

While Regier said that she agreed with the premise of the bill, she told the Inter Lake that she “defaulted to the side of personal freedom” on her second vote. 

Sharp’s changed vote came from his constituents, who he says made it clear that they were not in favor of being told what they can or can’t do regarding vaccinations.  

“While I have very strong personal opinions about these shots, I had enough input from constituents that I felt obligated as their representative to honor their desire to not have the state dictate terms to them on this issue,” Sharp said in a statement.  

Proponents of the bill argued that the gene-based vaccinations were harmful while opponents argued that a ban would infringe on medical freedom. 

Rep. Braxton Mitchell, R-Columbia Falls, chaired the session on Wednesday where legislators debate the legislation.  

Rep. Lukas Schubert, R-Kalispell, spoke in favor of the legislation, telling his colleagues he believed that someone who received the Covid-19 vaccine could spread it to other people.  

“These vaccines spread like diseases, you can look it up,” Schubert said on the floor. “As an individual who did not receive the Covid vaccine, I don’t want to have vaccines forced upon me without my consent.” 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that Covid-19 vaccines recommended for use in the United States do not shed as they don’t include a live virus.  

Rep. Tom Millett, R-Marion, voted for the legislation, stating that while he normally is for medical freedom, mRNA vaccines cross a line. 

“It's our responsibility as the body, right here, to say no, you’re not going to hurt Montanans, no mas,” Millett said on the floor.  

Opponents spoke about the importance of access and personal choice when it comes to medical decisions. 

“Every six months, I get my Covid booster, so I can stand here and serve my constituents and my family,” Rep. Brian Close, D-Bozeman, said on the floor, citing an immune disorder. 

Several Republicans expressed their opposition to the legislation on the floor as well.  

“Everyone can make their own choice, that’s called freedom,” said Rep. Linda Reksten, R-Polson, who voted against the legislation. 

Had House Bill 371 passed, it would have been the first of its kind in the United States.  

Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at kheston@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4459.