About Steve

Steve Gist is a Montana native. He grew up in North Central Montana on a farm and ranch. In 1985, he moved to Great Falls to begin a career in the Health Care field. 

Steve has worked EMS as a first responder, in both ground and air ambulance. He later worked in Emergency Rooms as a Paramedic and then as a Registered Nurse. 

Steve and his wife also run a wild land fire contracting business based in Cascade, MT. Since 1987, he has spent his summers working on wild land fires in Montana and across the West. 

Steve has been active politically with both our State Legislators and the teams of our Congressional delegation, on topics including: abusive/wasteful spending, transportation issues, workers compensation coverage for Volunteer Fire Depts. and EMS First Responders. He has worked on legislation updating the Montana Laws on ethics.

In the last 3 sessions he has served on Business and Labor, Local Government, Natural Resources and Legislative Administration.   Steve was the chairman for Natural Resources in the 2025 session and was elected as Majority Whip in 2023 and 2025 sessions by the party members. 

2025 Session

• HB 421 an increase in fire assessment fees for landowners on designated forest land.
• HB 616  allows for data modeling for mining compliance.
• HB 620  removes the ability of a medical practice from limiting where a physician can practice if they leave that practice.
• HB 621 allows for establishment of a peer support program for first responders
• HB 742 changed language in Nuisance Complaint laws to prevent unfair targeting.
• HJ 47 establishes a study of local government entity cooperation and consolodation to determine areas of cost-savings.

2023 Session

• HB 32 passed/law and HB 33 vetoed Provide remedy for citizens from Special Districts overreach. 
• HB 490 Fighting Human Labor Trafficking/Tax Evasion and Fraud
• HB 610 Change Emergency Care Provider (ECP) requirements
• HB 659  grace period for lapsed Concealed Carry Permits
• HB 34 Clean up permitting process for DNRC
• HJ 11  Resolution to ban ESG credit score

2021 Session

• HB 641 Search and Rescue-cadaver dog bill
• HB 386  Search and Rescue able to carry firearms
• HB 48  Remove occupation from hunting and fishing license