[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-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",[32,76,88,99,110],{"_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",6625964,"mediaKeyId","2755179-7276867960e656035b7339314cef3cc0","parentId",2755179,"title","Bill to extend retention of former employees' emails draws opposition from local records managers","audioSeconds",1587,"startMs",2822000,"endMs",4409000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755179-7276867960e656035b7339314cef3cc0&start=2822&end=4409","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755179-7276867960e656035b7339314cef3cc0/thumbnail_2822000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6625964/Montana/Bill-to-extend-retention-of-former-employees-emails-draws-opposition-from-local-records-managers","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625964-4a38388a69915e24fe45d6e4126a858d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571172&Signature=Aa7QvOXvec8Z8NYbI7wqiRNlHnaS1CxCG2Fvs42IocpE63joomZjUOUx5loBqozo0DvpJNvqGiSt-4BiVwrw3mdqDi3tq2c3yJTexzacWVOaNC3XQQFZvdv6laYhqTEGfyTH0gWZ0udcARIRfugtuwGg6X99Xghwe4mLh725bPam7P7X35htlxoHXQ8I4obJNT~y5xXaTIlQKfzWMK2HnOo2rP424Uez-q4xU6g68i7nTSc75zVVDr-231Fd4bRxH5UhmxJXOuCK2pt0hz3LboSrF0XBc2nGHdWxn00BKH3ymNG35mKExiIx42Ks8cvkSBuKS8kvVi9J4JCj1E2i2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-24T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Brad Barker introduced House Bill 722 to extend the retention period for electronic records—specifically emails—from 30 days to one year after an employee leaves state or local government service.

Rob Cook testified for the Montana Newspapers Association and Montana Broadcasters Association in support, arguing the change would aid transparency and public records requests. Mike Maas, Bozeman city clerk and a member of the state's local government records committee, testified in opposition, saying the bill would \"statutorily supersede existing approved retention schedules\" and create a \"stand-alone category\" requiring retention of all former-employee emails regardless of content. Maas said the bill makes no distinction between transitory emails (for example, an out-of-office message) and substantive records (for example, an official resignation) and would create unfunded mandates for local governments.

Misty Ann Giles, director of the Department of Administration, described the current practice in the executive branch: when an employee leaves, the agency downloads the inbox and preserves it for 30 days and then deletes it unless retained for a specific reason; the department supports the policy objective of improving continuity but noted a practical storage and funding gap if the retention period is extended. Sponsor Barker said the bill contains language vesting the disposition-schedule authority with the established records committee and said the committee can tailor what must be retained so the change would not require keeping obvious transitory items.

Committee members asked about fiscal impacts and whether the bill would create a separate committee or duplicate existing committees. Maas said the bill as drafted would create additional procedural burden and an unfunded local cost; Barker and Director Giles said they are working to refine the approach and that the records committee would determine categories and disposal rules.

Ending: The bill drew detailed questions from senators about fiscal cost to local governments and technical drafting; the committee did not vote at the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate State Administration - Mar 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 722 would require local governments to retain departing employees' emails for one year; local records officials and the Department of Administration raised concerns about unfunded mandates and potential conflicts with existing retention schedules.","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},6625968,"Bill would allow certain Montana criminal investigators and fire marshals to take work vehicles home",1066,1754000,2820000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755179-7276867960e656035b7339314cef3cc0&start=1754&end=2820","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755179-7276867960e656035b7339314cef3cc0/thumbnail_1754000.jpg","/articles/6625968/Montana/Bill-would-allow-certain-Montana-criminal-investigators-and-fire-marshals-to-take-work-vehicles-home","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625968-f287d16b4929c313f5f3e49561a0376f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571172&Signature=Q8xkH1QAtwkIjK2NaN7DO5dtkxafRMR6H5M2m7s~EmiCN9zcvjvBwyc1IyZV8HXr2u6OHI49l1BX-oCKhZNpxeKVeO2zCNePOjLyoSRael9j0mMVnlggTDHSP3FOCl0-ina~r0ht2sMcY-4xtx-xgHXaYy2rKJEkTDlpr2SmWDohoXLdbBM7QEW6F8dG46Vs3S~2RrzP3AfJ8cTHmStH4NNw1fnRF7AWQIdNTdYKK0JXdHZyZLwR8JcYpeazmFkhaaoZkWnj~U5LiIs1XTOkPcYJbNGJyUEvlU1Gmly5Jv4D9rCkr3Oet9GcEyMnJBNtUP8Ma~X3cmOZ0kw8i6m-cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Morgan Thiel (House District 30) introduced House Bill 679, which would add specific classes of employees to the list of officials permitted to take department vehicles home for work-related response duties, including fire marshals and agents assigned to narcotics and major-case teams.

Lee Johnson, administrator of the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), testified in support and described the operational need: \"These are violent crimes, homicides, officer involved shootings ... our narcotics teams ... and our deputy fire marshals ... do arson investigations on a regular basis,\" Johnson said, arguing that quick response and preparedness are central to public safety.

John Kaleczyc, a DCI agent and local union president, supported the bill but urged an amendment to broaden eligibility so the agency administrator has flexibility to assign eligible agents as needs change. Kaleczyc described scenarios such as rising computer-crimes or sextortion cases that could require prompt overnight response and argued the current draft could limit departmental flexibility.

Committee members asked about the number of vehicles and fiscal impact. Johnson said about 60 vehicles are currently used under similar provisions (\"33 in narcotics, approximately 13 in major case\") and estimated the proposal would add roughly 15–17 additional vehicles if the committee adopts the union's broader amendment. Johnson and others noted that vehicle use is part of an employees compensation package and that fuel and maintenance are included.

Proponents urged a do-pass recommendation; no opponents spoke at the hearing and committee members requested follow-up information on callout frequency and data to justify how eligibility categories were chosen.

Ending: The hearing closed without a committee vote; proponents asked the committee to pass the bill with or without the suggested amendment.","House Bill 679 would expand eligibility for take-home vehicles to additional classes of employees in the Division of Criminal Investigation to improve response times for emergency callouts.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":80,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625972,"Bill would make it easier for military to retrocede jurisdiction to Montana for juvenile cases",1013,741000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755179-7276867960e656035b7339314cef3cc0&start=741&end=1754","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755179-7276867960e656035b7339314cef3cc0/thumbnail_741000.jpg","/articles/6625972/Montana/Bill-would-make-it-easier-for-military-to-retrocede-jurisdiction-to-Montana-for-juvenile-cases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625972-8f939241edd640d8ea75cb62f86926e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571172&Signature=IGMOJDs~j3Fo0agC1vDd9IuaunogYSK1vu-FEM1bQ44yzgOzP01aLeXLwEiAPH62xd~SUHXo8z1KzAamz52uVxkMHovuP9DdZroSB1-ZoRpi6SU3R5QyAF0b6agO2AyuMliyfC1ATMDfZUVXclWiimjWzyutC3Hw2X8tmxTtoX2h25oZUZvpjXYXu4C4uRLkijgZyW20QCvsZeyeh5pADfxAIMo4x6g62jazpZDd3qST-jUh3CKljGnYkzIF7MIe6zPXEzdTKCXWh1Aiyy0~Uw8OeN7MLT0XccEf6VEHL4ASqk0SQUueyi-pux-ep5EP5BARwf1J5HcxWIDNe42Eog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Buttrey (sponsor) presented House Bill 496 to create a statutory mechanism for retrocession of jurisdiction where the federal government could relinquish all or part of the exclusive federal criminal jurisdiction it holds over certain military installations in Montana.

Brigadier General Renee Dorval, deputy director of the Montana Department of Military Affairs, said the National Guard has facilities under exclusive federal jurisdiction and that adding \"military\" to MCA 2-1-215 and 2-1-216 would allow the state and Guard greater flexibility if the federal government decided to retrocede jurisdiction. \"Adding military to the statute will give the National Guard and the state flexibility if the federal government decides to retrocede its jurisdiction and ultimately will speed up the retrocession process because specific legislation will not be required at the time of retrocession,\" Dorval said.

A Department of Defense representative spoke in support and said Congress had previously directed a retrocession process following a historic juvenile case; several other states have enacted similar statutes. Lieutenant Colonel Todd Wayne, a lawyer with the Montana National Guard, answered committee questions about the scope of lands and the nature of jurisdictional changes. Wayne estimated two areas with exclusive federal jurisdiction at Fort Harrison — small parcels and an enlisted barracks area he estimated at 2–3 acres — and a small portion of Fort Missoula under exclusive jurisdiction (\"less than 10 acres\"). He described retrocession as a process where a service secretary (for example, the secretary of the Army) can choose to retrocede juvenile or other criminal jurisdiction back to the state.

Committee members asked about costs and which state or local actors would handle investigations and prosecutions. Wayne said county law enforcement already investigates crimes on most of Fort Harrison and that expanding state jurisdiction would likely add only incremental investigative costs. The Department of Military Affairs testified as a proponent on behalf of the governor's office.

Ending: Sponsors and proponents urged committee passage; the hearing ended with no recorded opponents and no committee vote during the hearing.","House Bill 496 would add military property to statutory language enabling retrocession of jurisdiction so the federal government can return criminal jurisdiction for certain military lands to the state, potentially allowing state juvenile courts to handle some offenses occurring on military installations.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":92,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625977,"Committee hears bipartisan cleanup bill to align Montana code with federal Electoral College meeting date",185,556000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755179-7276867960e656035b7339314cef3cc0&start=556&end=741","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755179-7276867960e656035b7339314cef3cc0/thumbnail_556000.jpg","/articles/6625977/Montana/Committee-hears-bipartisan-cleanup-bill-to-align-Montana-code-with-federal-Electoral-College-meeting-date","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625977-cbb82bbc69edad6b103cf4876bf928d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571172&Signature=Vk9vaVSCg23MPyciIT~PFMYRq1WCBLQVkfooGr-yWrlfPVoG-bVKztopprIqTNB3O5IponLH4uyVpRpokxG3fg2SbpLGBCrsDBt62x4NfjdJB-9UcBgZMFbDt0BYGCJS1YDh7RM4M~ze2SZTJp4laLvk4JGVhSByPXa0PHVAFPW8PFJn5qzCp39sWvvIos3pQTva6q5BBW4UgC1i2iX7siUQ2yMYHV47oJtU1UTU5yxlGLywSlgvi1yEjG1CMXMa1047V2rPTOn4LgLIAtLIxtNlmWZdCZBcfvrhyBNuBbf9EHoRMw5nlV5uy3s6841K4zho4Icw1-lZRSl~3s~ujQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Morgan Thiel (House District 30) presented House Bill 380 as a technical update to align Montana code with federal law after Congress moved the Electoral College meeting date in 2022. \"This bill ... revises the meeting date for presidential electors to align with federal law,\" Thiel told the committee.

Thiel said the change is minimal: \"It changes one word to move a deadline one day,\" and noted the Secretary of State's office cooperated on the drafting. Maddie Tyson of Secure Democracy and another proponent said they supported a \"due pass\" because it brings Montana law into compliance with the federal schedule.

Witnesses and committee members described the bill as straightforward housekeeping. No opponents testified at the hearing and committee members asked no substantive questions about implementation or effects beyond the date change. Representative Thiel closed by urging committee support, reiterating that the Electoral College \"meets on a Tuesday\" under federal law and that state code should reflect that reality.

Ending: The committee closed the hearing on House Bill 380 after brief testimony and no opposition; no vote was recorded at the hearing.","House Bill 380 would change one word in state code so the statutory meeting date for presidential electors matches the federal change enacted in 2022.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":103,"_47":115,"_49":116,"_51":117,"_53":118,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":119,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":120,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625982,"Montana bill would redraw appointment districts for four state boards to match 2021 redistricting map",471,85000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2755179-7276867960e656035b7339314cef3cc0&start=85&end=556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2755179-7276867960e656035b7339314cef3cc0/thumbnail_85000.jpg","/articles/6625982/Montana/Montana-bill-would-redraw-appointment-districts-for-four-state-boards-to-match-2021-redistricting-map","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625982-604c5a48f03c6a85186f8210f3db4925/orig.mp4?Expires=1776571172&Signature=EbmNGcpblO76NLO-7N6rg3kK5v9duebHkYLAoMM55ym26sqJpSM8Aa9TdNCYvJNiureaHDPeL9b6~XCSEh9K2id0~s8YfJjOgBqPMUDgg-n-SlNYEh76SNtCLUKSmxL8fjYEGvFoPHtUTup6QABMV9j5YT3N4hC5QwTjKL75yy~NxVzAOrZ7TzSE~vpuL7u~RpXxfjLqM8LVJBRx9FXbWKdhuedg8qY-IQj0kYkjTFqxe4aJXtrGjSjaVB6yOc6v8XzmfsT4vd04W3KMiXj1d1adEHBoA0KyuP2C3pUMmpBz6AStY0Y6EBr4pNkQfVZwqq6AVDBrJmYcwnRrjuXI5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Lynn Bennett (House District 4) introduced House Bill 279 to the Senate State Administration Committee, asking the panel to align the statutory appointment districts for the Board of Public Education, Board of Regents, Coal Board and Hard Rock Mining Board with the 2021 redistricting map adopted by the Montana Redistricting Commission.

Bennett said the current statute (MCA 2-15-156) still reflects older divisions and results in an imbalance between the two appointment districts. \"As currently mapped ... the Western District, or District 1, represents a population ... of approximately 54% of Montana's population,\" Bennett said, adding that District 2 represents about 46 percent. Bennett told the committee the bill would update the statutory language so board membership is \"more evenly reflective of Montana's population.\" He also said the bill includes a transition provision so it would not displace sitting board members immediately.

Lieutenant Governor Kristin Juras testified in support and described the change as an update to reflect population shifts since the last time the code was adjusted. \"More people now live in Western Montana, so we need to adjust these lines so we have more of an equal division on these boards affected,\" Juras said. She noted the bill is intended to affect only governor-appointed members of the four named boards and not congressional districts or elections.

Senators asked about consultation with the redistricting commission and how the bill treats counties that are split by the commission map. Bennett said the bill follows the redistricting commission's map except that it places all of Pend Oreille County in District 2 to avoid confusion for applicants whose addresses might fall near a dividing line; Bennett said Pend Oreille County's population is small (about 5,900) so that choice is not a significant deviation.

There were no opponents who spoke at the hearing and no committee questions that changed the bill text. The committee closed the hearing on House Bill 279 after questions and discussion.

Ending: The committee did not vote during the hearing; sponsors and proponents asked the committee to pass the bill out of committee for further consideration.","A bill before the Senate State Administration Committee would update statutory district lines used for gubernatorial appointments to four boards so membership better reflects post-2020 Census population distribution.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill to extend retention of former employees' emails draws opposition from local records managers

Bill would allow certain Montana criminal investigators and fire marshals to take work vehicles home

Bill would make it easier for military to retrocede jurisdiction to Montana for juvenile cases

Committee hears bipartisan cleanup bill to align Montana code with federal Electoral College meeting date

Montana bill would redraw appointment districts for four state boards to match 2021 redistricting map