[{"_1":2,"_136":-5,"_137":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112,124],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6353341,"mediaKeyId","2221394-4fe7bac548a9c878534ce3659a37207b","parentId",2221394,"title","Committee passes SB 77 by voice vote","audioSeconds",31,"startMs",4696000,"endMs",4727000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221394-4fe7bac548a9c878534ce3659a37207b&start=4696&end=4727","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221394-4fe7bac548a9c878534ce3659a37207b/thumbnail_4696000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6353341/Montana/Committee-passes-SB-77-by-voice-vote","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353341-9dbfbcdcc45c696157053fb507c75eef/orig.mp4?Expires=1776272144&Signature=BwRo2kMFCNUE1gFV31uogj5vTn0ednyW55QKMMtPNE018IEC4jiTG6R2h4gaxeqvfk3PH~Qo5k7rtJRDIjN~V7pR27cdL7Op8nIYR31yfvJq1Js7gThnE2iZmWA05fKrD3C9XrJKkPYEuhormmd2e6dVlfc5qc2quU~ezyhbsNmAHpVaEvmyonVZxelZoxmEbdyPKoW-D~VPEckX4jabUsRyts3TSHGGf-3dLS7JQdXYHrtG-aTQSiIUbXB-ws5aR4AxkHmoKnI3AoLP79RHz0-kyQE-qLcy66HYftoefA9u4w9nXsJNYQreDsnofiVvpqSrVBK0IoL2lqfvZnk1DA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 77 was considered in executive action and passed by voice vote. Committee members conducted a short discussion and then approved the bill; proxies were recorded as aye for absent members.

No amendments were adopted in committee and the measure will proceed as the committee transmitted it.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate State Administration 2025-01-31","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 77 was passed by voice vote with minimal discussion and will advance from the committee.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6353346,"Committee approves SB 29 to allow electronic bid submission for state projects",86,4923000,5009000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221394-4fe7bac548a9c878534ce3659a37207b&start=4923&end=5009","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221394-4fe7bac548a9c878534ce3659a37207b/thumbnail_4923000.jpg","/articles/6353346/Montana/Committee-approves-SB-29-to-allow-electronic-bid-submission-for-state-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353346-3228112f87df4c0d737789122fed43a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776272144&Signature=KPSNFpdFLQ7fk5-5MHbFGeJQxvNR5FHmzWTGIaQuaWTOHRn--EJDOmNQrgflpZf06-MZ-IFG9DGVungJ3jgYBze155XF6Pvk2aIMRl8EG2vy8reqx4zyGCcvRQQ4dnTHtPvrXD24GHsVWQSmxHBvVZ8rPZfn1N5Isl5ZmwsUUZa5MgYP8AjKanAqpxK0galp1My~bUsYljXQV1mrhlxJT3oGk-CeDtwc3jLzXOUIoPJepTZp3LpTEzlFhTQRwHvXLblLUOpGCE9phDs-un0FfeAM9YxP6vVR-zM74hhXNlRGeX57sRi8W8UFBgjzxPmn3WtbV9j0CFuasSKyE4eF2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee voted by voice to pass Senate Bill 29, a measure allowing contractors to electronically submit required bid documents for state building projects.

Senator McCamey praised the bill as a modernization step that will reduce logistical burdens on contractors who previously had to hand‑deliver documents and risk disqualification for late delivery: \"People are being drugged, kicking and screaming into the 21st century,\" she said during discussion.

The measure passed on a voice vote; proxies recorded in the transcript show multiple senators voting aye by proxy.

Committee members said the bill was straightforward and likely to ease administrative burdens on bidders; no amendments were adopted in committee.","Senate Bill 29, which allows electronic submission of certain contractor bid documents for state building projects, passed the committee by voice vote; supporters said it modernizes procurement and reduces burdens on bidders.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6353351,"Committee approves bill to require public access to meetings and records of some education membership organizations",780,3983000,4763000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221394-4fe7bac548a9c878534ce3659a37207b&start=3983&end=4763","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221394-4fe7bac548a9c878534ce3659a37207b/thumbnail_3983000.jpg","/articles/6353351/Montana/Committee-approves-bill-to-require-public-access-to-meetings-and-records-of-some-education-membership-organizations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353351-198f40c9df8f686298c306ec46148d40/orig.mp4?Expires=1776272144&Signature=cNl7cilarYqFBF5YlfkMW~9EqswLEUrBAA0nlu1LN42hvG~zi7Eu02Pc-4chsWATyHue0fcHOkCjxtgbrT3rXztFKJODf8e1vDg9CcSqVHVpXFF6OVxvs8FecatoC8zUBSK-G1irRs-7L4NwAGeFJzPZ3vTraqYW7F64xw7SqokGJc2lb24R80csUaFnuOb4bAzZhVAvaS4TdGXD79ZelnE8e51dAiyfvUgpVIimQ3E9uRPtcw6wOWsOyAMKiEmJ-jeLKSTEaHAQP2iz2H-RJL5nJTrTsjdGo9CHKxo2I7hypQaR9Ye5Elb1OdTFQs3OuvrmeYGNHMwFL7zodJ1IjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate committee voted 5–4 to pass Senate Bill 145, a measure requiring that meetings and records of education membership organizations and associations that are supported wholly or in part by public funds be open to the public \"to the same extent as meetings and records of public or government entities.\"

Opponents said the bill is too broad and vague and could sweep in student groups, booster clubs and small volunteer organizations. Senator McCamey said the bill could capture groups including DECA, FFA and Business Professionals of America and complained the proposal amounts to \"government overreach.\" Senator Morgeau called the measure \"too vague and too open to interpretation.\"

Supporters said their intent is limited to groups that take public funds and where transparency is important. Miss Harden said the bill targets entities \"supported in whole or in part directly or indirectly by public funds.\" Some members said local school boards and districts should address local complaints about meeting access, while others said if public funds are used, state‑level transparency standards are appropriate.

The committee recorded a roll call vote of 5 yes and 4 no. Chair Mansella said the bill will go to the committee of the whole for further consideration.","Senate Bill 145, which would require meetings and records of certain education membership organizations and associations that receive public funds to be open to the public, passed the committee 5–4 after lawmakers debated scope and vagueness.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6353356,"Committee moves SB 33 to transfer state building plan review to Labor and Industry with technical amendment",351,3414000,3765000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221394-4fe7bac548a9c878534ce3659a37207b&start=3414&end=3765","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221394-4fe7bac548a9c878534ce3659a37207b/thumbnail_3414000.jpg","/articles/6353356/Montana/Committee-moves-SB-33-to-transfer-state-building-plan-review-to-Labor-and-Industry-with-technical-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353356-f0a62964e4729759fb068fda98f5f364/orig.mp4?Expires=1776272144&Signature=XqY8NRJLJV52ZyYZp4iJl~GiKaBVvKQ5MeXMYaesLOZy~EOe0zEiYLSLZCXCT8RJLqkFPK~OwZpia5tgMBoIb5TCcO9JTUumEHZvDgRcmf~hnHKoXJfbhhnZjoDrD0~-2ITtqFTdkV271NcGCYlQJqWOHawQD~L6KRP56oXbzZCtfzP7BQkg8U~6ONgjJOdH26BmXCeWW5~-rVYivF-llYOvO~i1G16bs1QP6lqJZ5jQln~I4M7H~6XFDWe6G-Thbf2iY4JYToYS7Xkc0HMuKUq96-qtSSRYRHcTvvE66tzY8IndfFfDjClrhQrBSvY7ZvFZZa1bfmbVExjbrL2VwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee amended and unanimously passed Senate Bill 33 to conform statutory language to the Department of Labor and Industry's operating practices.

Miss Harden told the committee the amendment was requested by the Department of Labor and Industry \"to conform with the way that they do business and to answer some of the issues presented in the fiscal note.\" The amendment reworded the title and revised the bill's definitions so that \"all buildings owned by any state agency are subject to the jurisdiction of the department for purposes of all plan reviews, permitting, and inspections.\"

Committee members discussed that the State Fire Marshal had raised concerns earlier but had since indicated satisfaction with the amended wording, according to staff. The amendment passed on voice vote and the committee subsequently passed SB 33 as amended by voice vote; the Chair recorded it as unanimous.

The bill moves to the next stage as amended to reflect the Department of Labor and Industry's requested phrasing.","Senate Bill 33, which shifts responsibility for plan review, permitting and inspections for state‑owned buildings to the Department of Labor and Industry, was amended at the department's request and passed unanimously.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6353361,"Committee amends SB 94 to define \"labor organization activities\" and carve public safety exception amid debate",2283,1104000,3387000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221394-4fe7bac548a9c878534ce3659a37207b&start=1104&end=3387","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221394-4fe7bac548a9c878534ce3659a37207b/thumbnail_1104000.jpg","/articles/6353361/Montana/Committee-amends-SB-94-to-define-labor-organization-activities-and-carve-public-safety-exception-amid-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353361-e44f4564b2a147f6d6dc62045329d3b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776272144&Signature=YXOZ1vvS0mTmH0a-11uLLaqj1Ni7hLsXMyY92AN7CldUJaaX-czZ5nhu~vAu3eufctvg3PDyux9E19mbMkjBsBF2WUXFRK1CeaTzltzyRspaN~3A7wwDOHYbBTXBo22GbcaIeX8c3I2G0FAtLJcFesnS50Qufr8KzkKwfNqe3nQSlPNesPt0KG8~u7o9Ugzv3wXoK8Rci~D-yv6SlH162wHsNaABB~udNJMRNWbbMZ6GEcSzHhaDGAmbZY9P9cjKiP158APqqtTE-QonuPxZqSGQE61L2bKd4KdOSThvTGAlPVgrhDHlP8PYv7uEOk-KNmsBZdt9y6cvqqrZFnQ00g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate committee approved Senate Bill 94 as amended after two separate amendments and a contentious debate over definitions, pay protections and a carve‑out for public safety employees.

Miss Harden, committee staff, summarized amendment SB0094.001.001 as replacing the term \"representational activities\" with \"labor organization activities\" for consistency and adding reporting requirements so employers can be reimbursed for employee time engaged in labor organization activities. She said the amendment also reorganizes the statutory definition and explicitly lists activities that are not included.

Senator Ellis opposed the amendment, arguing it could disrupt collective bargaining and describing some language as unrealistic: \"Often, people that are working these individuals are part of a collective bargaining. They would probably be paid overtime for this activity, and it sorta exempts them. So it messes with the collective bargaining piece,\" he said.

A later amendment, SB0094.001.002, created an exception to preserve \"the uninterrupted delivery of critical government services necessary to protect life, property, and public order\" and listed categories of public safety employees the drafters intended to exempt. Committee members questioned the breadth of that carve‑out. Senator McCamey and others warned the list could grow to include many positions that perform similar duties; Senator Ellis and Miss Harden flagged potential equal‑protection issues in creating a new class of public employees.

The committee adopted a substitute motion to remove language that would have exempted \"any public employee whose duties are substantially similar\" to the listed public safety roles. The amended amendment passed on a recorded voice/roll mix and, later, SB 94 as amended twice passed the committee on a roll call with 5 yes and 4 no votes.

Committee discussion repeatedly returned to questions about operational details: whether employees could be paid while engaging in labor organization activities, how informal versus formal conferring is treated in the definition, and whether local volunteer substitutions or reimbursement mechanisms would be feasible.

Miss Harden advised the committee that some parts of the statute were unclear and that the amendments were intended to provide consistency and reporting mechanisms rather than an exhaustive rewrite.","Senate Bill 94, which limits use of public funds for labor organization activities, was amended twice and passed 5–4 amid debate about definitions, pay, and an exemption for public safety employees; members raised constitutional and practical concerns.",{"_33":125,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":126,"_41":127,"_43":128,"_45":129,"_47":130,"_49":131,"_51":132,"_53":133,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":134,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":135,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6353365,"Senate committee amends SB 58 to revise pre‑count reconciliation language",696,350000,1046000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2221394-4fe7bac548a9c878534ce3659a37207b&start=350&end=1046","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2221394-4fe7bac548a9c878534ce3659a37207b/thumbnail_350000.jpg","/articles/6353365/Montana/Senate-committee-amends-SB-58-to-revise-precount-reconciliation-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6353365-8a964a0747a0efd93c1b2e7b68060a34/orig.mp4?Expires=1776272144&Signature=N5D7aFiLH5v6j3zKAcF9k-qWCoxhqREKJUmzUcvW4fzFHpdxirHRvrVYBdyLU2ASTIokOwNzhVhc5adlJpKi0BEcMF40I~K8tImS86TTr4LZbprn-W6iJkEzVmKV7cOlAc1Ypxewk~xlZ6B9hbmOeFIe11XKOdEtblthkB8bVw9gkzPKHKCaFhHBqExVzMwMhXP6vuNplIFc0PwCyDw0EozzZjkM7C0JnydU3zfL1t9I6AwiGI3YMGhIYGyfikOWxLNuI1yr7LCq1hY3EvhUp4uK364NwzlRhg5vdiLvXYIRgOoiz4D7IX5MezQqT3hWxM~WUeZgctstkV6DHJjFRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate committee on executive action amended and passed Senate Bill 58 on a voice vote after members agreed to update statutory language describing the pre‑count reconciliation process.

The amendment replaces the term \"poll book\" with \"the record of ballots accepted,\" to account for variations in county practices and to include ballots received by mail. Miss Harden, committee staff, said the change is intended to provide \"a more up to date and all inclusive description of what resources should be used when conducting this initial reconciliation process provided in statute.\"

Senator Vance, who brought the amendment, said the change is a targeted step toward clarifying the code: \"Words mean things so we're trying to get things to be uniform in that regard.\" Committee discussion clarified that the statute governs a pre‑tabulation reconciliation — prior to feeding any ballots through tabulators — and that the amendment also requires an election administrator to investigate unexplained discrepancies and report that investigation to the county board of canvassers.

The committee approved the amendment by voice vote and then passed SB 58 as amended. Chair Mansella announced the bill \"passes unanimously.\" The committee recorded two proxies voting aye during the process.

The amendment was noted as a narrowly tailored fix arising from the Senate Select Committee on Elections; it does not rewrite the entire disputed statutory section but aims to make the initial reconciliation requirement clearer.

The bill will move forward as amended to the next stage of consideration.","The committee amended and unanimously passed Senate Bill 58 to change wording in an election‑reconciliation statute, replacing a reference to the \"poll book\" with a broader \"record of ballots accepted\" and adding reporting and investigation steps when counts cannot be reconciled.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee passes SB 77 by voice vote

Committee approves SB 29 to allow electronic bid submission for state projects

Committee approves bill to require public access to meetings and records of some education membership organizations

Committee moves SB 33 to transfer state building plan review to Labor and Industry with technical amendment

Committee amends SB 94 to define "labor organization activities" and carve public safety exception amid debate

Senate committee amends SB 58 to revise pre‑count reconciliation language