The Helena City Commission will hold a special meeting Thursday, March 26, 2026, to decide whether to rescind or amend Resolution 20-11062 in response to an investigation by Montana Attorney General Knudsen into the resolution's legality. Outside counsel Tasha Jones, an attorney from Missoula, was hired to represent the city and met individually with each commissioner the previous Monday, with City Attorney Rebecca Doctor and Clerk of the Commission D. Clayborne also present. No written legal analysis was provided to commissioners or the public in advance of the special meeting.

The resolution was adopted January 26 after nearly 300 residents attended the commission meeting in person and approximately 200 participated online — a turnout that speakers at the March 23 meeting described as a record for Helena City Commission proceedings. The resolution appears to relate to immigration enforcement or police policy based on references made during the meeting to the Helena Police Department and the state Attorney General, though its specific subject was not named in the meeting transcript.

Commissioner Reid pressed city staff on why full rescission was being considered after the city's own February 11th press release stated the resolution 'was drafted with careful consideration of applicable local, state, and federal law' and was believed to be legally consistent. City Attorney Doctor declined to answer substantively, saying the city's response to the AG would depend on Thursday's outcome. The deadline for the city's response to the AG has been extended.

Public speakers at the March 23 meeting, including resident Lily Clark, argued that city staff and an outside attorney whose name was raised at a separate Wednesday administration meeting had recommended full repeal — going beyond what speakers said the AG actually requested, which they described as limited to amendments to sections two and three of the resolution only. Speakers said the commission appeared poised to act before receiving a state response to a pending information request and before any formal legal analysis had been reviewed publicly.

In his closing remarks, Mayor Dean framed the situation around local self-governance, citing Governor Gianforte's stated belief that policy should reflect what local communities want, and extended an invitation to the Attorney General 'to come and have a conversation with us to find a path forward.' The special meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 26, 2026.