[{"_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",6311814,"mediaKeyId","2394402-1d8521fc5a7aa300d42313150cd1fed2","parentId",2394402,"title","Votes at a glance: Senate floor motions and third-reading outcomes","audioSeconds",99,"startMs",4264000,"endMs",4363000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2394402-1d8521fc5a7aa300d42313150cd1fed2&start=4264&end=4363","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2394402-1d8521fc5a7aa300d42313150cd1fed2/thumbnail_4264000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6311814/Montana/Votes-at-a-glance-Senate-floor-motions-and-third-reading-outcomes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311814-681d0449ae61f87bef8e86fab9975065/orig.mp4?Expires=1777748372&Signature=SmB9gHMJ1RczXGaZZ8jilASwZjMloYxuWIMGo354aZ~eB1gCz1JlJglNYnRqKlyGbPRnGQ4396MoDgrLSBslUmRYrOvomyBasToghoKaHnvKGo66WPbHBSCWZ0ubJQDDv9BsiKyUxSJXGm5uPHu8Zog06wDuY6uKillmR2xdtzANwIsqudp5F4ZPgCMgiZSPJyniapKkPhozxdZdz28UnLR4yy3YRhl4PDofAwxONRr67UmApTiHaCSXFfbDi6dHzXou~UKEjEL~tDhwI5D8yKFNQoTOLci92M-1aIaqaazeC~dxKMz3VJVr34yr5sWRbJ60-8f6TLj0HXKF201cuQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-02-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate considered many bills on third reading and recorded final votes on a range of measures. The following summary lists bills called on third reading in the transcript and the vote counts reported on the floor. Where the transcript recorded only the clerk's tally, that tally is shown.

- Senate Bill 12 (transfer county printing duties to Department of Administration): Passed 45-4.
- Senate Bill 147 (Montana Indian welfare revisions): Passed 30-19.
- Senate Bill 181 (Indian education revisions): Passed 29-20.
- Senate Bill 228 (public charging stations for electric vehicles): Passed 46-3.
- Senate Bill 288 (expedite seized property laws): Passed 49-0.
- Senate Bill 272 (conduct rules for child-protection specialists): vote not specified in transcript extract.
- Senate Bill 306 (prohibit tax deed to foreign entity): Passed 49-0.
- Senate Joint Resolution 10 (honoring NCSL\u0000fiftieth anniversary): Passed 49-0.
- House Bill 61 (revised inter-entity loan process): Passed 38-11.
- House Bill 75 (public-safety officer certification standards): Passed 49-0.
- House Bill 66 (adopt recent federal military codes/regulations): Passed 48-1.
- House Bill 63 (extend application of bond-validating act): Passed 44-5.

Several of the bills recorded in the transcript were adopted without recorded floor opposition (49-0 in the clerk's announcements). Not every bill called on third reading in the transcript included an audible roll call in the excerpt; where a tally was announced by the clerk it is printed above. For procedural context, the Senate also adopted a committee of the whole report recommending several bills do pass or do pass as amended; the committee report adoption was recorded 46-2 on the floor.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Floor Session 2025-02-25","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate adopted numerous committee reports and passed multiple bills on third reading during the session. This roundup lists the bills called on third reading and their recorded floor votes as announced in the transcript.","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},6311819,"Senate advances bills expanding Child and Family Ombudsman authority and confidentiality rules",66,3995000,4061000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2394402-1d8521fc5a7aa300d42313150cd1fed2&start=3995&end=4061","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2394402-1d8521fc5a7aa300d42313150cd1fed2/thumbnail_3995000.jpg","/articles/6311819/Montana/Senate-advances-bills-expanding-Child-and-Family-Ombudsman-authority-and-confidentiality-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311819-1f3d311793a18e8718d9be5914f992b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1777748372&Signature=jKXdxEAGoC2LyMhnPbTwiw4GrLRmrdFfRX076oqiXHx1mCMY82xiZeL5Vc~UnLddCdY1V2BYzmvjOx7oQaA8wIHcUo6Czpd6f5YmP1~VziaxSeq7IQfHXv5qdVoPNF~kEfw4WOT9uWCuovr9bBAMIJqIfeLqF3SFd9a8PnyTjMY4ht7XBE0z04Sh1rBdzgHBe1~8wWBe9hjukBiX-yNQECnIuYEzczq2hTvsWQr6IHP9Tb5D6KW8RpVICmFDgsxca7XdnbIjeQDClM90uT1cG3Vwa2Vih-JFRmAMsBrqwrBf3GmiLir2RnpWsacxyVFysOknxIlXkKvtVXGDM2FKmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Two linked bills to expand the Office of the Child and Family Ombudsman passed second reading after floor consideration.

Senate Bill 250, sponsored by Senator Lenz, would expand the ombudsman's staff and authorities, including clarifying investigative and reporting duties and forwarding reports of misconduct to the Department of Justice. An amendment from Senator Kirk Carpenter directed that reports of alleged violations of department policies and procedures by child-protection specialists be forwarded to the Department of Justice (or the department) and put that reporting process into statute; the amendment was adopted on a 49-1 vote. Following debate, the motion to recommend SB250 do pass as amended carried 37-13 on second reading.

Senate Bill 251, also sponsored by Senator Lenz and described as related to SB250, defines confidentiality and disclosure exceptions for matters under investigation by the ombudsman's office. The clerk recorded 49 senators voting aye and 1 voting nay on SB251's second-reading recommendation.

Supporters said the changes would give the ombudsman's office more capacity to investigate systemic issues and to work effectively with the Department of Justice when misconduct is alleged. Debate focused on process, confidentiality and placing existing practices into statute. The bills advanced on separate roll calls consistent with the sponsors' motions on second reading.","The Senate recommended two related bills advancing the Office of the Child and Family Ombudsman: SB250 (expanding personnel and duties, as amended) and SB251 (confidentiality provisions). SB250 passed as amended 37-13; SB251 passed 49-1 on second reading.",{"_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},6311824,"Senate approves making Indigenous Peoples—Day a legal holiday on second Monday in October",96,3689000,3785000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2394402-1d8521fc5a7aa300d42313150cd1fed2&start=3689&end=3785","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2394402-1d8521fc5a7aa300d42313150cd1fed2/thumbnail_3689000.jpg","/articles/6311824/Montana/Senate-approves-making-Indigenous-PeoplesDay-a-legal-holiday-on-second-Monday-in-October","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311824-7cb112ddece55e29c3187d1f9cfa9e74/orig.mp4?Expires=1777748372&Signature=Xwhm~8~M4BtNaihbxRo5q~mg95Rz2-OoJTpcOSvLQzLFnZw2TR9UkfNEICzF0yK9X7Y2G15VrPRDYVcRHwJsJx2EfSVaTNWSdTDlruJfLcylF6AiJYG9OYWfrxzdn2T53TjwZy~Ybik52TcALrpJWejVUYcOLPvDUq1PTGzT0p1hzAxjeJi0m~S9wrgREpNoHrRdnKUSHAogdazg~IuYmxmsDaPo32rq5OS7LjUp9IxDEz2ew68Gieicsh4EF76cy7ou7W5ck2TAEiECXa3QidEPU7Iv9FaUaCFNNfQqJ9VDofXdeVXw5NWYJ5rQp8f5oS8VX8l2XmrwDkzXBHcVFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 224 passed second reading with a 48-2 vote after an extended floor discussion that highlighted support from multiple members and testimony at the committee hearing. The measure would establish Indigenous Peoples Day as a legal holiday in Montana on the second Monday in October, allowing communities to observe and celebrate Indigenous heritage and history on that date.

Sponsor Senator Shane Morgeau described a positive committee hearing with proponents across the state and said the day already is observed in communities including Billings and Bozeman. Several senators framed the measure as a compromise that recognizes both Indigenous histories and other observances associated with the second Monday in October; Senator Manzella referenced the precedent of combining Lincoln and Washington birthdays into Presidents' Day as a similar legislative accommodation.

Debate emphasized cultural recognition and community celebration rather than the removal of other observances. Senators who spoke in favor cited local organizing activity and the potential to coordinate commemorations, such as acquisition of a tribal leader's bust, alongside the holiday. The clerk recorded 48 ayes and 2 nays and the committee recommended the bill do pass on second reading.","Senate Bill 224, sponsored by Senator Shane Morgeau, passed on second reading after broad floor support. The bill designates Indigenous Peoples Day as the legal holiday observed on the second Monday in October.",{"_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},6311829,"Senate advances cigar-bar endorsement bill after debate on worker safety and indoor-air law",568,2076000,2644000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2394402-1d8521fc5a7aa300d42313150cd1fed2&start=2076&end=2644","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2394402-1d8521fc5a7aa300d42313150cd1fed2/thumbnail_2076000.jpg","/articles/6311829/Montana/Senate-advances-cigar-bar-endorsement-bill-after-debate-on-worker-safety-and-indoor-air-law","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311829-1bc124eb30d4d265dacedf2633b1d4f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1777748372&Signature=P0U8F2gX~3ohC0A59DcdzpBzTQi8VzUlhPkuoydAY5p0bkUg8cZ6tedNBxOf6V8sqQN1bwMSPgrjl7Djakre7log3fdvqNCfSCCWh1ntSjA0nsFGwMXqjmyBpVA5oLQiSLzwqK1rGRIdY~18yzUIN0nE8n6InayZCiDp8ifQuC4XLXqcasjfn3d~-v2Zj5navUPg9gjtyVShlL27ldC5xtBXwrKwJZqHLzDaW3UYKWzXuaNHCWO8z23A4ijISAP80nWg5-NNmiOe0hG76v0lckbs2qOM4l171dAbeC2W4N66SQPZgxSQ~Z9gZat3n3im-bFZPsiYUxU41kOovX0vBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators recommended Senate Bill 150 do pass on a 30-20 vote. The measure would add a cigar-bar endorsement to certain liquor licenses and create an exemption from some Clean Indoor Air Act requirements for endorsed establishments; it also sets related license and fee conditions in statute.

Sponsor Senator Galt described the proposal as narrowly tailored and said it includes HVAC and other \"sideboards\" to limit indoor exposure. \"This is nothing new,\" Galt said on the floor, noting several thousand cigar bars exist nationally and characterizing the change as a small statutory carve-out.

Opponents, including Senator Mongeau, emphasized worker-safety concerns and questioned whether ventilation requirements in the bill would adequately protect employees. Mongeau cited a voter survey and personal experience with secondhand-smoke consequences and said ventilation systems may not be sufficient to prevent health harms. Other senators asked practical questions about license types and signage; the sponsor said the endorsement would be limited to the more restrictive light-liquor license category and that establishments typically identify themselves as cigar bars.

The motion that the committee recommend Senate Bill 150 do pass was made by Senator Galt. The clerk recorded 30 senators voting aye and 20 voting nay; the bill passed second reading.","Senate Bill 150, which would create a cigar-bar alcohol endorsement and exempt those establishments from parts of Montana's Clean Indoor Air Act, passed second reading on a 30-20 vote after senators debated employee exposure and air filtration standards.",{"_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},6311833,"Senate advances bill to prohibit electioneering at polling places during expanded early voting period",804,1062000,1866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2394402-1d8521fc5a7aa300d42313150cd1fed2&start=1062&end=1866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2394402-1d8521fc5a7aa300d42313150cd1fed2/thumbnail_1062000.jpg","/articles/6311833/Montana/Senate-advances-bill-to-prohibit-electioneering-at-polling-places-during-expanded-early-voting-period","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311833-5293ca947b07b4bbcdc9f04cffb4e726/orig.mp4?Expires=1777748372&Signature=GXn41TUfGws5rQSQC29qgFoGylCNiP174KBX-sFyQMx1~EY4dPp0hX667lNsnM21ZvO~62vvB~EXfdL8hmV36cEtnjbfLp1NuT09Cdw1yXW5ylV3ZJ9eH0Ibte-x9LXOr2ZToDDL4ZmG0D5hQvMYeZRc4udtVAIYyrHUXMrF0i3EDDGHnaj1ZO~JyOO3NA9kMtxDXV~Cdrb0sxZYZW19X2gLAKP7gA0np-jZtCptdCV95BbkbIKmZPvNKic0xXVC~IG3ZCHMJmAeLCjbjSy608PNquaiS8dHlJX3kf82WvkwM~2ajCRjTYMZL9biVS6q-Rwx~ygup61sSVHrW6HnRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 105 passed second reading on a 28-22 roll call after more than an hour of floor discussion about scope and unintended consequences. The bill would prohibit electioneering at polling locations \"from the time ballots are available until all voting is completed,\" extending current statutory restrictions beyond Election Day to cover absentee and satellite voting periods.

Sponsor Senator Wendy Boyd framed the bill as a modernization of a law last substantially written in 1947 and said the change responds to court guidance and recent disputes over campaign activity at satellite polling locations. Boyd described a factual situation that prompted the change: campaign materials being handed out near an early voting satellite location and uncertainty whether the existing statute applied before Election Day.

Other senators raised concerns about the bill's language and practical effects. Senators asked whether the measure would prohibit candidate forums, home-improvement shows or other community events where candidates might hand out literature weeks before Election Day. Senator Vinton said such a broad prohibition would be \"overly burdensome to campaigns\" and voted against the measure. Senator Manzella said unclear language led her to vote no in committee. Senator Weber and others urged the sponsor to consider limiting the prohibition to hours when absentee ballots are actually being accepted at a particular polling place.

In closing, the sponsor said she would work on clarifying language in subsequent consideration and noted the bill aims to avoid litigation by updating statutes. The clerk recorded 28 ayes and 22 nays and the committee recommended the bill do pass on second reading.","Senate Bill 105, sponsored on the floor by Senator Wendy Boyd, passed second reading on a 28-22 vote after extended discussion about how the measure would affect community forums, candidate events and early absentee voting locations.",{"_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},6311838,"Senate passes bill to raise Montana Facility Finance Authority bond cap to $1.5 billion",466,595000,1061000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2394402-1d8521fc5a7aa300d42313150cd1fed2&start=595&end=1061","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2394402-1d8521fc5a7aa300d42313150cd1fed2/thumbnail_595000.jpg","/articles/6311838/Montana/Senate-passes-bill-to-raise-Montana-Facility-Finance-Authority-bond-cap-to-15-billion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6311838-d350c263fdc294cdcafa8e313e085744/orig.mp4?Expires=1777748372&Signature=UiQq5wU1GLnxiiEEAOax6vwCzwUmP9qflyywYdOaFYBBbWT0khRX0t5~IE3zU~N97kR0EXIVV85fDllkeCjQFT3OPzoSGeSJ5b2eDP7yd~wCVuLmNTPa4cLarwA4oN-Oq0w5vJPbXP-fIiaRodLL2Kyvgs9GyrIgdu-DPY69YxFBBeIPEnPnu2Var9vm9aJ8WiGKTAnbbhr8VcW4tNBOLIYwmYww7MD-ABsq8WHQUuTCNsDvIqNjivbQ1Jy9efNRtWZVDHDuRuImnimX7NVcVW3IQYDi0lf2QTjxPGshfYGeCSaGpdzU9WmdeWFzExcUjyZa5N~nZieX~4cuxsltfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators on the floor advanced Senate Bill 104 on second reading, voting 37-13 to recommend the bill do pass. The bill would raise the Montana Facility Finance Authority\u0000(MFFA) bond issuance cap to $1,500,000,000 and add an annual inflationary adjustment, and it expands eligibility so additional nonprofit and public-benefit projects can access low-cost conduit bond financing.

Sponsor Senator Lammers said the MFFA acts as a conduit issuer that connects private borrowers with the bond market and that the authority has facilitated more than $4 billion in private-activity bonds over roughly 40 years. \"These are private market transactions, not state obligations,\" Lammers told the Senate, saying the program does not obligate state taxpayers and that bond proceeds may not be used for operations or campaign activity.

The bill drew questions from colleagues about conflict of interest and risk. Senator Cuff disclosed a personal connection: his wife, Joanne, serves on the MFFA board and he said he had attended meetings in that capacity. Senators asked what would happen in a default; the sponsor and others said defaults are between borrower and lender and do not create state debt. Senator Curti noted that, according to testimony in committee, the MFFA has not experienced bond defaults in its four-decade history.

Supporters said the change would extend the authority\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000 to workforce housing, manufacturers and other nonhealth projects that currently lack access to affordable capital, while preserving the MFFA\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000\u0000as an enterprise fund separate from HB2 appropriations. Opponents did not offer an amendment on the floor.

The motion that the committee recommend Senate Bill 104 do pass was made by Senator Lammers. The Clerk recorded 37 senators voting aye and 13 voting nay. The bill passed second reading.","The Montana Senate voted to advance Senate Bill 104, which would expand the Montana Facility Finance Authority\u0000(MFFA) bond issuance cap and broaden eligible borrowers, with supporters saying the change opens low-cost capital to more projects and opponents raising procedural questions and seeking clarity on defaults.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Senate floor motions and third-reading outcomes

Senate advances bills expanding Child and Family Ombudsman authority and confidentiality rules

Senate approves making Indigenous Peoples—Day a legal holiday on second Monday in October

Senate advances cigar-bar endorsement bill after debate on worker safety and indoor-air law

Senate advances bill to prohibit electioneering at polling places during expanded early voting period

Senate passes bill to raise Montana Facility Finance Authority bond cap to $1.5 billion