[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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],{"_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",6122304,"mediaKeyId","2695280-a792c180d894c30542ac03441365b25b","parentId",2695280,"title","Committee executive actions: summary of votes and amendments on multiple senate bills","audioSeconds",1023,"startMs",9717000,"endMs",10740000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695280-a792c180d894c30542ac03441365b25b&start=9717&end=10740","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695280-a792c180d894c30542ac03441365b25b/thumbnail_9717000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6122304/Montana/Committee-executive-actions-summary-of-votes-and-amendments-on-multiple-senate-bills","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122304-f1c49c7d0b9f8f02838fd1a05bb69a56/orig.mp4?Expires=1777278448&Signature=HEDtF8qS3mGnVyi3LFFPbjmEFuP0ZWO2-PEHMlazElbHyL-zKd3nnK-6lxZg8VzBIZ0gsTbE4XnWqxBc2JdsUIxyvPxMDNpmK1vRM61iPEZcNN9DrS3hXIyRU1ouFreUAnvn-ewLwJqII~-vjxkCfcD0D~mwY8-qr9RQStc6iQ1pj~l2ePSH6TOTAKxImbnwKaWPJ1qcSES-2EgB2LRytQyHAQDKK96S5HnqVFgB4yzXiI7SXN4x-g-Ff8OF-dhAS8ncbhGJ6xQKYA6WCVGrXjaz31Lh-zCob-dqNCyU6g~tsxAv~23OnPL3mht9TfDPJKVi43~l2i3Lcck7OHeYUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","The House Business and Labor Committee moved multiple senate bills forward in executive action after committee hearings.

Key outcomes (motions and recorded outcomes during the meeting):

- Senate Bill 104 — Motion to \"do concur\" (moved by Vice Chair Seekins Crowe). The committee approved the motion by voice vote and the bill will move to the House floor. No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

- Senate Bill 166 — The committee considered and adopted amendment 166.1.0.1 (sponsor amendment) before voting on the bill. The amendment removed language that would have required an initial CPA applicant to have at least 150 semester hours; after adopting the amendment by voice vote the committee approved the amended bill by voice vote. Several members were recorded voting by proxy for the concurrence motion (Representative Fitzpatrick, Representative Lear, Representative Sprunger and Representative Sullivan were recorded as voting aye by proxy).

- Senate Bill 198 — The committee considered a motion to \"do concur\" and Representative Carter offered a substitute motion to table SB 198. The substitute motion to table was put to a roll-call vote and failed (the transcript records the substitute motion failing after a roll call and lists mixed yea/nay responses). The committee then returned to the original motion to \"do concur\" on SB 198 and passed that motion on a roll-call vote; the transcript records a final tally described as 12 yes, 4 no and 8 recorded as otherwise (the clerk's summary language in the transcript is imprecise; the committee announced the motion as passed and the bill will move to the House floor).

- Senate Bill 233 — The committee voted to \"do concur\" by voice vote; the bill will move to the House floor.

- Senate Bill 279 (Dietitian Licensure Compact) — The committee voted to \"do concur\" by voice vote; the bill will move to the House floor.

- Senate Bill 347 — The committee voted to \"do concur\" by voice vote; the bill will move to the House floor.

Several members and staff clarified draft changes and conflicts for bills during the meeting; legislative counsel distributed amendments and advised members about conflict checks on bills received from the Senate. The committee recorded proxy votes for several members in multiple motions.

The committee recessed at the end of executive action; the transcript does not show further roll-call breakdowns beyond those noted above.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Business and Labor -Wednesday, Mar 19, 2025 08:02 - 11:21","oneSentenceSummary","The House Business and Labor Committee took executive action on multiple senate bills, approving amendments and do-concur motions to move several bills to the House floor.","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},6122307,"Sponsor frames SB 212 as light-touch framework requiring AI risk plans for critical infrastructure",1206,4815000,6021000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695280-a792c180d894c30542ac03441365b25b&start=4815&end=6021","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695280-a792c180d894c30542ac03441365b25b/thumbnail_4815000.jpg","/articles/6122307/Montana/Sponsor-frames-SB-212-as-light-touch-framework-requiring-AI-risk-plans-for-critical-infrastructure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122307-2a073688132baf2cb135e2c57f7e5c81/orig.mp4?Expires=1777278448&Signature=KVHt1QOWA2jRIYX~0lXIYZjXjKNLLSu5D-CrP6mCX4fY92EyRh-jLYFT-wI179nP8uuAt3A8aF1LiUB20nTwz1z13BmqiYpzEKRYggiJtIPDobrQmPG~~B6vkTfX5WZ2HpRF7IXEYyuToEVRmNhrCn5m-aBWuhTTs1uaCKh61GBSOfbB1JX~J8FuPd5IovvFaiyKOHT5G1KUBvH~4mp2SXCgjwiy3GjI5TysaYE3q~Re1P2z4H410UNFs4OEytRdLCnESuth3W6UyJw0pjbHx6N9iN4QXaCo5gWQNDZ2ahoi7AMR3ODfWz8NFIrPY~ZLU2dHQXieL~7F~LCb5Qhj5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 212, presented by Senator Daniel Zolnikoff to the House Business and Labor Committee, would create a state policy framework for regulating private use of computational technologies including certain artificial-intelligence systems and data-center activity.

Zolnikoff said he wants a \"light touch\" approach that protects fundamental liberties while defining narrow exceptions for compelling government interests, such as conduct that deceives or defrauds the public, harms minors, or threatens critical infrastructure. A central provision would require critical infrastructure facilities that deploy \"critical artificial intelligence systems\" — the bill narrows that to decision-making systems that determine important outcomes — to develop a reasonable risk-management policy that considers the latest AI risk-management guidance and standards.

Tanner Avery of the Frontier Institute testified in support and described SB 212 as a policy intended to protect free expression and property while giving Montana a framework to address real harms and attract investment. Kevin Gilbertson, the state chief information officer, attended as an informational witness.

Committee members pressed the sponsor on the breadth of the bill and enforcement. Zolnikoff said the framework is intended to be foundational and that enforcement and more specific measures would come from subsequent legislation or existing enforcement authorities as needed. He emphasized the bill's aim: require planning, backups and human-fallback considerations where AI systems play a role in critical decision making.

Members discussed likely applications in mining, energy and other fields; Zolnikoff said the bill would not ban data centers or AI deployments but would require entities that use decision-making systems in critical roles to plan for failure modes and human intervention.

No votes were taken at the hearing. The sponsor said he would work with interested parties as bills that flesh out enforcement and specific harms are introduced later in the session.","Senate Bill 212 would create a state framework for private use of computational technologies and require critical infrastructure facilities that deploy decision-making AI to develop risk-management plans. Sponsor said the bill aims to preserve innovation while prompting facilities to plan for failures and human fallback.",{"_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},6122313,"Committee hears support and opposition for two-year pause on new cannabis dispensary locations",1307,3441000,4748000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695280-a792c180d894c30542ac03441365b25b&start=3441&end=4748","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695280-a792c180d894c30542ac03441365b25b/thumbnail_3441000.jpg","/articles/6122313/Montana/Committee-hears-support-and-opposition-for-two-year-pause-on-new-cannabis-dispensary-locations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122313-4d7376eb724c65a685f500141fccabf3/orig.mp4?Expires=1777278448&Signature=WPKjWVuhApn-IHS6S-ngJ9zoc6lJRVXxmTScnKsA5lLXuw3GBizuEwSwAFMNJfxnilZ9JWPIQxb8lLU8xflJZ1ke6b7xQDfiCP3Li~~yeaYYce3pb9327fkONM5IRw~K-LVIqvumIaXGfwQ-JklXBZO2Hagampdyudrzd3uIc0SNpd4JBdUtbBhVcTrs3N-dKXaE8n~vqCNGcaa0HcZxdLsLHNN5cSW7rY7qh7wt9xY3j6UDUgAjQjQ2qzeT8nb-r6DhF-z9S758RAxgy507IOAlBjedUJQI7v-CdsmpJZVm0Ok~XWaILFeNBJjfR~o8InnXw3GpzRBa6d-wi4jBZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 27, introduced from the Economic Affairs Interim Committee, drew several proponents and at least one opponent at a House Business and Labor hearing. Sponsor Senator Ken Bogner said the bill would bar the Department of Revenue (by way of the Cannabis Control Division) from issuing new location licenses for dispensaries until 2027 and described the measure as \"a bridge to the next thing\" that gives lawmakers and communities time to assess market growth.

Proponents including Kate Halawa of the Montana Cannabis Industry Association, Pepper Peterson and several business owners said the two-year pause would let the market stabilize, reduce the risk of speculative or rapid expansion and give communities time to evaluate local impacts. Halawa said the interim committee’s approach \"takes into consideration that there are... people who don't want this industry to exist\" as well as those who favor rapid expansion; she said the bill aims to strike a balance and called it a \"measured\" response to concerns about rapid growth.

Business witnesses emphasized the current footprint and financial barriers for newcomers. Testimony cited about 1,000 licensed cannabis businesses statewide, with roughly 460 dispensary locations; witnesses said the executive budget projected up to 500 additional locations when a prior moratorium on ownership limits expires. Jay Dukart, a certified public accountant testifying about costs, said rising real-estate and build-out costs mean upfront investment can reach \"multiple millions of dollars\" for a new facility and \"at least a few hundred thousand dollars\" for many operations.

Opposition testimony came from Keola Palau, who testified as an individual and argued the moratorium would limit access for medical patients, hinder market competition and raise the risk of corporate consolidation that could harm small, local growers and businesses.

Kristen Barber, administrator of the Cannabis Control Division, appeared as an informational witness and discussed market fluctuations: she said the industry had seen expansion and compression and that markets appear to be stabilizing in some areas. Committee members asked for clarification about how many separate business entities hold the more than 1,000 locations; Barber estimated roughly 300 distinct business entities own those locations. Members also asked whether a single licensee can hold many locations; Barber confirmed that under current law there is no limit to the number of locations a licensee may hold and said SB 27 would freeze the current footprint while allowing market entry within that capped footprint.

Senator Bogner closed by noting bipartisan support for the interim committee bill and the Senate vote on the measure earlier in the session. No final committee vote on SB 27 was recorded at this hearing.

If adopted, SB 27 would impose a two-year freeze on new dispensary locations, require periodic review, and could be revisited after the moratorium if the Legislature or local communities seek different limits.","Senate Bill 27 would prohibit issuance of new dispensary location licenses until 2027. Proponents said the temporary freeze would stabilize markets and prevent proliferation seen in other states; opponents warned of reduced access for medical patients and harm to small businesses.",{"_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},6122318,"Center for Alcohol Policy briefs committee on regulation, recalls and new beverage trends",1306,1670000,2976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695280-a792c180d894c30542ac03441365b25b&start=1670&end=2976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695280-a792c180d894c30542ac03441365b25b/thumbnail_1670000.jpg","/articles/6122318/Montana/Center-for-Alcohol-Policy-briefs-committee-on-regulation-recalls-and-new-beverage-trends","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122318-cf77bda3e58bc62ef6ea33eb07100dd7/orig.mp4?Expires=1777278448&Signature=e1VK76D4uiBIoKtYdjN5GOfn6iCBWEHwxUreLdDrpyp5fPGBl715QSyyzhgE5tUaSeOPTtmbckdCOJ3KGtH~SJ5JF1pV59mGntVBexAWlUZa331FFGrOWYaY~mu9Yuw-~E~fgWR2lLg5vtwhLS57~ylaeCPE-ZRHFgPmxsKa61SUhzX~gAWUPmPN-NqjUzkAguFtF4owriXNzPeawExvIDWepeId1Y6394E3R6JjqMUB-~auVU38EiJ9q-A3Zw2cetpNNhz0oIFqj3NZlruOJfeVXnOUOSKHEpYODxllvl4GykRIzxjZu8KrNUGubyQoTgR1OSWUXDUIsmEwG-5Ejw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kelly Roberson, executive director of the Center for Alcohol Policy, presented to a joint session of the House Business and Labor and Senate Economic Affairs committees on the history and regulation of alcohol and recent developments regulators should monitor.

Roberson told legislators the U.S. approach — a three-tier system separating producers, wholesalers and retailers — balances public health and marketplace order. She said Montana's control-state model, in which the state acts as wholesaler for distilled spirits, has functioned to protect product integrity and tax revenue and to enable quick recalls.

Roberson reviewed long-run historical concerns that led to regulation and offered survey results the Center recently collected: she said roughly 85% of respondents reported satisfaction with their state's system and that the top public priorities were reducing drunk driving, protecting public health and reducing underage drinking. She cautioned legislators to weigh public-safety priorities as bills affecting alcohol reach the floor.

The presentation flagged several regulatory trends: direct-to-consumer shipping that can circumvent taxation and product tracking; the rise of so-called \"functional\" beverages that mix alcohol with hemp or other ingredients and raise questions about labeling and health claims; and ownership structures that re-create \"tied-house\" problems if suppliers or national chains gain cross-tier control. Roberson also noted recalls handled quickly because of robust distributor and wholesaler tracking, and urged lawmakers to ensure regulators remain funded to enforce rules.

Committee members asked whether mailed or packed-in-luggage beverages present a tangible problem for Montana. Roberson said such shipments occur but are often under the radar; she recommended the state examine what is known about unregulated inbound shipments and make targeted enforcement decisions.

Roberson encouraged lawmakers to consult state regulators and national resources when bills on novel beverages reach the legislature. She also invited legislators to national conferences and said the Center will provide its survey and materials to the committee.

The session included brief exchanges with members who stressed public-safety priorities and raised questions about THC-mixed and other new beverage products. Administrator Becky Schlau of the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association was present; Roberson thanked Schlau for longstanding work with state regulators.

The presentation was informational; committee members did not vote on legislation during the briefing.","Kelly Roberson of the Center for Alcohol Policy presented historical context, survey data and regulatory risks to a joint session of House Business and Labor and Senate Economic Affairs, emphasizing the three-tier system and warning against unregulated direct-to-consumer shipments and novel 'functional' beverages.",{"_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},6122323,"Committee hears bill to allow broader investments for Montana funeral trust accounts",934,248000,1182000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695280-a792c180d894c30542ac03441365b25b&start=248&end=1182","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695280-a792c180d894c30542ac03441365b25b/thumbnail_248000.jpg","/articles/6122323/Montana/Committee-hears-bill-to-allow-broader-investments-for-Montana-funeral-trust-accounts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122323-36afbcebd2862829733043089642ae9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1777278448&Signature=cuelNE7pKao4qQmA8-LR8zEecpuDZ9GM0-RhyfXqVzhMKK3A~OxkY2SjojZuL0RlkevQ311-FHafsWyM8pTvZAw04e2kRyoh112L~k~juol2hxRRc101rpcj6BfukL5NAUp-ldGrD10lEwSlX9yCk70JC10dSnaCwEXigTN3QRjERPXt~TZkFH9aZVlHfXJn4ffkVuCfA6FWMv0aap6XFJBbNLM20kF99XK~wF91tL6PHd8KLE4opUmqlYqAuGCHGb04~PWRTQjBIyDnvPx99KkAnf~QqxiMEWl44XgBk-q0e1lnnb9LLpKe6GnI0Pt6OAoljlqrrnBqH3AVM38Tdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A House Business and Labor Committee hearing on Senate Bill 305 on Thursday reviewed a proposal to change how Montana funeral trust funds may be invested.

Senator Cuff, sponsor of SB 305, told the committee the bill \"is very straightforward, very simple... It's good for the kids, and it's good for the old folks,\" and said the measure would strike-and-replace a sentence of state code to make the Montana Funeral Trust subject to the state's prudent investor standard.

Advocates including the Montana Funeral Directors Association said the change would let trust accounts pursue a broader investment strategy than the law allowed when the trust statute was drafted in the 1980s. The acting executive director of the Montana Funeral Directors Association, identified in testimony as Ms. James, said MFDA supports SB 305 and told the committee the change would \"improve administration of Montana's Funeral Trust laws by mandating that Funeral Trust funds adhere to Montana's existing prudent investor rule.\" Brad Longcake, testifying for the industry, described the change as a path to potentially greater returns for people who prepay funeral services and gave examples of services the trust could cover or not cover as costs rise over time.

Rick Walter, a licensed mortician who testified as a private citizen, said the bill \"eliminates some archaic language in the law\" and would \"maximize the growth of those trusts so that . . . there's appropriate funds there to cover for our final expenses.\" Kevin Bragg, bureau chief for professional licensing at the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, appeared as an informational witness and offered to answer technical questions about administration and oversight.

Committee members asked practical questions about how beneficiaries are notified and what happens if a trust balance is insufficient. Committee testimony said trust contracts typically name a beneficiary or beneficiaries at setup; if the trust balance does not cover a requested service the family would be responsible for the difference. Longcake used the example of an obituary cost rising from $200 to $500 over decades and said the residual growth in the trust is intended to help offset such increases. Witnesses also said trust funds are held by a financial institution and would remain intact even if a funeral home closed; the account is not simply an in-house company receivable.

No opponents testified. Senator Cuff closed by urging the committee to advance the bill; he noted it had passed the Senate business committee unanimously and had strong floor support there.

If the committee advances SB 305, the bill would move to the House for further consideration. The bill's text, proponents said, does not change what funeral homes may charge nor add administrative fees; it changes the investment standard that governs trust fund management.","A House Business and Labor hearing on Senate Bill 305 heard supporters say the bill would let prepay funeral trust accounts follow Montana's prudent investor rule, aiming to increase growth of prepaid funds for families. No opponents testified; agency staff were available for questions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee executive actions: summary of votes and amendments on multiple senate bills

Sponsor frames SB 212 as light-touch framework requiring AI risk plans for critical infrastructure

Committee hears support and opposition for two-year pause on new cannabis dispensary locations

Center for Alcohol Policy briefs committee on regulation, recalls and new beverage trends

Committee hears bill to allow broader investments for Montana funeral trust accounts