[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6624416,"mediaKeyId","2766243-f3d450575673afa8a56cfff9fcf6e85d","parentId",2766243,"title","Proposal to allow citizen-initiated grand juries fails after concerns over mandatory prosecution and misuse","audioSeconds",1058,"startMs",3071000,"endMs",4129000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766243-f3d450575673afa8a56cfff9fcf6e85d&start=3071&end=4129","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766243-f3d450575673afa8a56cfff9fcf6e85d/thumbnail_3071000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6624416/Montana/Proposal-to-allow-citizen-initiated-grand-juries-fails-after-concerns-over-mandatory-prosecution-and-misuse","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624416-f943fee278acdbbe8b413ff84968866b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775888219&Signature=LH5g3b8F1h9uSOUncRStnygqeCSLY86RCJe0mFm68~TY8d35UxIf61oBIFZXZeOP55Fscw2fSzDW-0EVCQ7U6TldOtHZomlTeNglum5PbwdrDCJOYq5IpyJavAYF~viJfvu1M5STLiz3-M7gTW14b7iWRPF4wA42NpVcSsBEifIUpcRJWO~PyXj4frZGJ-0WwSe764WANZkZFRKJwXBRgGs9vNKYW7gRSh25JRT9o5QMF8ap2K8vRi2GphdegbvCPKOkQDf5H6BMofyO2P02vEtMQxCMyMLt6SIj6xoZnzrhR3t~i91694D7I6zdj~5hcNh3FeXtAuWxJ7htX5pQBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","Helena — The Montana House on March 25 rejected House Bill 4-60, a proposed constitutional amendment that would let county residents petition to impanel a citizen grand jury. The floor vote on second reading was 40 in favor and 60 opposed.

What lawmakers debated: The bill’s sponsor, Representative Millett, described the proposal as allowing ordinary citizens to convene a grand jury by petition as a check on government and to investigate allegations including public corruption. Millett described changes in the posted amendment after committee negotiations, including raising the petition threshold in some counties and striking provisions that would have allowed grand juries to retain private prosecutors at county expense.

Concerns raised on the floor: Opponents, including Representative Staffan and others, argued the proposal risked misuse for political vendettas, could unfairly target public officials, and would effectively compel county attorneys or the attorney general to prosecute indictments produced by citizen grand juries. Representative Staffan cited historical examples and county-attorney opposition that called the bill a “forced prosecution.” He warned small signature thresholds in some counties would make the mechanism easy to trigger.

Sponsor response: Millett said he had amended the measure to address many concerns — removing the requirement to pay private prosecutors with county funds and indicating willingness to adjust mandatory language such as “shall” — but supporters and opponents remained divided on whether the changes were adequate.

Vote and outcome: The clerk recorded 40 ayes and 60 noes; HB 4-60 failed second reading and will not advance in its present form.

Context: Millett and others argued the change would restore a citizen oversight tool they said existed in the past but was limited by judicial discretion; opponents warned of the practical and constitutional consequences of allowing groups to summon grand juries and potentially compel prosecutions.

What’s next: The failure on second reading means the measure will not proceed this session in its current form. Millett indicated willingness to continue negotiations on amendments in the future, but opponents said the concept itself is too problematic.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Floor Session - Mar 25, 2025 13:00 - 15:30","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 4-60, which would have amended the state constitution to permit citizens in a county to petition to impanel a grand jury, failed on second reading after debate over mandatory prosecutorial duties, county costs and potential misuse of citizen grand juries.","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},6624421,"House approves second reading of constitutional ‘personhood’ amendment after heated debate",1379,4157000,5536000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766243-f3d450575673afa8a56cfff9fcf6e85d&start=4157&end=5536","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766243-f3d450575673afa8a56cfff9fcf6e85d/thumbnail_4157000.jpg","/articles/6624421/Montana/House-approves-second-reading-of-constitutional-personhood-amendment-after-heated-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624421-5861ead8180874907d044edb0ae1b43b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775888219&Signature=VdUtdhDHExN1rU0HvrUCYgSiHXZlzzunPZf2lWG941YaX-vIdtHZFSw-N3qxLgXnOD5wvSPMHF1D5nxUMDgYv7TdPOrvsJCtY4MZWE7NQPUlhcF7U0gbl5mw0T6cyGRnpoGUGQ8RokYzvKCCEj~4Ay4Q-pWoSsX1A7dDIk8sIWGmPU7u6652VtQWRXp72ba1b8UpScznZIuAojBMpqRym3oY22uexShDd3QqoQ5W828qTmgNdLr0JuSdzzgi-iSLidDYoF9iCfD8Og9duAOyz7kylGSsDcoYN47rtXaSfuU4A3mFxgf832IDplSS27ZB2KqNjEskoW-rSc-sz5-4Lw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Helena — The Montana House passed second reading on House Bill 3-16 on March 25, advancing a proposed constitutional amendment that would define “person” to include “all members of mankind at any stage of development.” The vote on second reading was 57-43, as announced by the clerk.

Why it matters: If ultimately adopted by the Legislature and approved by voters, the amendment would place a new definition of personhood in the Montana Constitution and could have broad implications for abortion policy, reproductive health services, and related legal disputes.

What the sponsor said: Representative Deming, the bill sponsor, read the amendment text on the floor and said the change would make the term “person” include every human being from the stage of fertilization or conception. He cited several provisions of the Montana Constitution — including the dignity and privacy provisions — and federal due-process clauses as foundations for the amendment’s protection of life.

Floor debate: The measure drew emotional and wide-ranging remarks. Supporters framed the amendment as protecting the unborn and compared it to historical civil-rights advances. Representative Seekins-Crowe described personal experience and urged a green vote. Representative Kametz also spoke in favor, using campaign rhetoric to emphasize his support.

Opponents warned of broad unintended consequences. Representative Howell said the amendment could outlaw common birth-control methods, restrict in vitro fertilization and create opportunities for third parties to assert rights on behalf of embryos. Howell also cited CI-128, a voter initiative passed the previous November, and said the result suggested voters already weighed abortion-related changes. Representative Alvaro argued that the legislature should not override the recent voter decision.

Vote and outcome: The clerk recorded 57 ayes and 43 noes; HB 3-16 passed second reading and will continue through the legislative process for further consideration. Passage on second reading does not place the proposed amendment on the ballot; additional legislative steps and final approvals are required for a constitutional amendment to be submitted to voters.

What’s next: If the amendment clears the legislature again as required for constitutional changes, it would be placed on the ballot for voter consideration in the statewide election specified by law. Opponents and supporters both noted likely legal and political fights around the proposal’s scope and practical effects.","House Bill 3-16, a proposed constitutional amendment to define 'person' to include all members of mankind at any stage of development, passed second reading after extended floor debate that covered abortion, contraceptives, IVF and voter-approved initiatives.",{"_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},6624425,"Bill to raise burdens of proof in child-abuse cases fails after extended floor debate",887,1297000,2184000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766243-f3d450575673afa8a56cfff9fcf6e85d&start=1297&end=2184","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766243-f3d450575673afa8a56cfff9fcf6e85d/thumbnail_1297000.jpg","/articles/6624425/Montana/Bill-to-raise-burdens-of-proof-in-child-abuse-cases-fails-after-extended-floor-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624425-7d19d72324690fe3c5cd563492830f31/orig.mp4?Expires=1775888219&Signature=Wg3w9WEM39KsxbKjU32xN6JnFuFqTSJ02TOOPv-bAAgZpjO3seMQzDk0CjbMBw3IY-euxerJ8udbzRUwyMEhvX6xt9rFcUUCEn8iwIbdauoMfoidBekN1X~m6X2UpqAkJfKTk0WS0fEv4eaotUuV4pWxoD4s9pto9PEbA2AHzTN-wDonQsctpfLmUGKTcdovmVlyOZN8vsjEE8ay8Y6sl6Jg3xmTmrWS0Gplo9gmxBdFgXDulI6Z6rkn1gdYDHbnsYrQ9TYGOPBL~o-teU~Lm92Bu5jd0DJJHiq5oLrphW2~JwO~5uQnEBjOVUM48a-cNwH9TS6oey9RfLCRcmxMvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Helena — The Montana House on March 25 rejected Senate Bill 156, a proposal to increase the burdens of proof in child abuse and neglect cases, after an extended and often emotional floor debate that split lawmakers.

The question and outcome: The motion to recommend concurrence on SB 156 failed on second reading after the clerk recorded 44 votes in favor and 56 opposed.

Why it mattered: The bill would have changed the standards courts must apply before they may issue orders in child-abuse and neglect proceedings. Sponsors said raising the standard would better protect parental rights in cases of state intervention; opponents warned it would impede timely action to protect children and could leave at-risk children in dangerous homes.

What supporters said: Representative Mercer, speaking for the bill on the floor, outlined the differences among the three standards of proof at issue: preponderance of the evidence (the current civil standard), clear and convincing evidence (a higher civil standard), and proof beyond a reasonable doubt (the criminal standard). Mercer said SB 156 would require clear and convincing evidence for orders of adjudication and temporary legal custody, and proof beyond a reasonable doubt for termination of parental rights. “If you go back to page 6…we're talking about the standard for abuse neglect petitions,” Mercer said, adding that the change aimed to ensure the state does not intervene in parent-child relationships without an adequate basis.

What opponents said: Representative Powell rose in opposition, saying the bill would raise the standard for temporary legal custody and could prevent timely state intervention and access to services that keep families together. Powell said child-protection casework includes offering services to parents with substance-use or mental-health disorders, and higher evidentiary thresholds could stall those efforts. Representative Jay Fitzpatrick described situations of severe child abuse and urged protecting children, calling the existing preponderance standard “more than sufficient.” Multiple other members warned that raising the standard could leave children in harm’s way and cut off the state's ability to act early.

Vote and outcome: The clerk recorded 44 ayes and 56 noes; SB 156 failed to pass second reading and will not advance in its current form from the House.

Background: The bill was presented to the committee with text changes at pages 6, 12 and 15 that would alter the standards applied for adjudication, custody and termination orders. Proponents framed the measure as a protection of parental rights; opponents framed it as a public-safety risk that could make removals and services harder to obtain when allegations first arise.

What’s next: Because the House rejected concurrence on second reading, SB 156 does not advance from this chamber in its present form. Lawmakers and stakeholders may revisit the issue in subsequent sessions or through different legislation, but no change to the evidence standards will be enacted this session based on SB 156.","Senate Bill 156, which would have raised evidentiary standards for child-abuse and neglect proceedings—requiring clear-and-convincing evidence for adjudication/temporary custody and proof beyond a reasonable doubt for termination—failed on second reading after a contentious floor debate over child safety and parental rights.",{"_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},6624429,"Montana House adopts dozens of bills on second reading; several measures move forward without extended debate",6432,648000,7080000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2766243-f3d450575673afa8a56cfff9fcf6e85d&start=648&end=7080","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2766243-f3d450575673afa8a56cfff9fcf6e85d/thumbnail_648000.jpg","/articles/6624429/Montana/Montana-House-adopts-dozens-of-bills-on-second-reading-several-measures-move-forward-without-extended-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624429-2367a4f8e8e00c044cc5670fb6ee8a9c/orig.mp4?Expires=1775888219&Signature=gE1cvfVgWd9ufu1YZkzRD8WHiAQ48TGk5LrxqQ4eO5PZIXd4EBw3YAtNbvCQmIICBJNJw7RomRcYq8tvebv6lm6CQ9NVGBcP7f0ttWh8scgkMbgAIPhA8YqCQHB2ivsC6PBvnVdfI~CQFzbVgBLjc9sKlOuCz~A413V-geQ8Sbeja3u8nEPDZX0TAhHBw2EtJ6f9MbVJkUj1fJAB5Jttmf1PNW4T1xJv5~9rwTQr98ZgPw3t1b3ecOY5t6arEfkO34Pdi6NGd65R7FG~7qOsOI9A0qCDLM8FdbnRZR57v0ASmjlqPRTsUAEIUomX3wWfAqLNKspo~fXMAQ2mKIVBCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Helena — The Montana House of Representatives on March 25 voted on a slate of bills on second and third reading, approving or concurring in a range of measures from environmental regulation to election-counting procedures and criminal-justice technical changes.

Why it matters: The quick passage of many measures advances them to the next step in the legislative process — concurrence, final passage, or return to the House — and signals the chamber's priorities on public policy items that have not provoked extended floor debate.

What happened: Lawmakers took recorded votes on numerous bills during a lengthy floor session. Several of the recorded outcomes included:

- House Bill 477, “Phase Out Polystyrene Single Use Food Containers with Exceptions,” passed the House on third reading, 56-41.

- House Joint Resolution 12, a resolution regarding electric vehicles, passed the House, 57-42.

- Senate Joint Resolution 9, a joint resolution on federal debt and deficits, passed the House, 59-40.

- Senate Joint Resolution 3 passed the House overwhelmingly, 96-3.

- Senate Bill 309, relating to the Scenic Historic Byways Advisory Council, passed the House, 96-3.

- Senate Bill 206 (revisions related to child abuse and neglect proceedings and investigations) passed the House unanimously, 99-0.

- Senate Bill 110 (amusement, bridal and safety revisions) passed the House, 94-5.

- Senate Bill 256 (revised child abuse and neglect laws) passed the House unanimously, 99-0.

- Senate Bill 9, a technical cleanup allowing state agencies to deposit small cash receipts, was concurred in on second reading with a unanimous recorded tally in committee and on the floor (100-0 in committee reporting).

- Senate Bill 29 (authorizing electronic bid bonds for state construction projects) was concurred in on second reading, 100-0 in committee reporting.

- Senate Bill 33 (transferring plan review and building code enforcement for state-owned public buildings to the Department of Labor and Industry) was concurred in on second reading, 59-41 on the floor.

- Senate Bill 58 (vote-count procedures, requiring investigation when ballot counts do not reconcile) was concurred in on second reading, 100-0 in committee reporting.

Several other bills were taken up and carried to the next step with little or no floor discussion. Committee reports recommending concurrence or do-pass were adopted by recorded votes and the House moved to adopt the committee report as a package later in the session.

Context and next steps: Many bills acted on were described on the floor as technical fixes or incremental policy changes that had previously passed through committee hearings. Several measures recorded unanimous or near-unanimous support; others drew closer votes and now proceed to conference, final passage, or referral to appropriations or the governor, depending on their status and origin. Lawmakers also made several motions following the roll call votes, including re-referrals to appropriations for fiscal items.

Votes at a glance: The floor tally cited above are the official recorded counts read aloud by the clerk during the session. Bills that passed or were concurred in at this session will continue through the legislative process: some to the Senate, some to the governor for signature, and others to committees for budgetary review.","The Montana House on March 25 passed or concurred in numerous bills on second and third reading, including measures on polystyrene food containers, electric-vehicle resolution, child welfare revisions, and vote-count procedures. Most moved with little floor debate; several unanimous or near-unanimous tallies were recorded.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Proposal to allow citizen-initiated grand juries fails after concerns over mandatory prosecution and misuse

House approves second reading of constitutional ‘personhood’ amendment after heated debate

Bill to raise burdens of proof in child-abuse cases fails after extended floor debate

Montana House adopts dozens of bills on second reading; several measures move forward without extended debate