[{"_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",6622381,"mediaKeyId","2784553-b3b1fc554014e3221f029c44acfa1aac","parentId",2784553,"title","Votes at a glance: House floor actions and concurrence votes March 26","audioSeconds",396,"startMs",1002000,"endMs",1398000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784553-b3b1fc554014e3221f029c44acfa1aac&start=1002&end=1398","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784553-b3b1fc554014e3221f029c44acfa1aac/thumbnail_1002000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6622381/Montana/Votes-at-a-glance-House-floor-actions-and-concurrence-votes-March-26","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622381-32672e4c15d167cc4ea68cadd6e5af4b/orig.mp4?Expires=1774917320&Signature=WjcBjRlCyLcApoP6ZuAiwJ~oliD3uQYcGpHLtkLA4fkDTDg5P9s8YyHjL70I~B7la8QhcoF9XR3L2~g1FivQnW7dX9cuvQPrD3U9xKPl46BS1v2nUEASXPoOQS7v7ebh05Mkh7wh18ITbGvAirJYng0EsVD6QbG7rCRSUylpvYRYWPet4upYTIMkSlBj~3b980iNUeye~9PjEl~I8suR668biMDogE2~RsvWGKcm31P7MJXU-k23DzX9eap7Fgx1AuP2pSOcYE8bDpNvmF5x~MfM4GdBU4BLailAETm6EQ~t16d7k28ix6CbeQHq69ytc3Z7~IGkd4dY2E34Y-iDWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-26T00:00:00Z","article","The Montana House floor on March 26 recorded a series of bills and concurrence votes. Below are bills acted on with the floor vote tallies and outcomes as recorded on the transcript.

- SJ 6 (long-range legislative branch capital development plan): Passed (House vote recorded 99 aye, 0 no).
- House Bill 424 (class 17 data center property tax revision): Passed (84 aye, 15 no).
- Senate Bill 211 (revise emergency use of epinephrine in school setting to include nasal spray): Passed (85 aye, 14 no).
- Senate Bill 29 (allow electronic submission of bonds for state): Passed (99 aye, 0 no).
- Senate Bill 11 (local government ballot issues revisions): Passed (99 aye, 0 no).
- Senate Bill 132 (minor in possession laws revision): Passed (99 aye, 0 no).
- Senate Bill 58 (vote count procedures): Passed (99 aye, 0 no).
- Senate Bill 33 (state building subject to code review): Passed (60 aye, 39 no).
- House Bill 451 (tax increment financing changes): Passed (94 aye, 5 no).
- House Bill 316 (constitutional amendment to define person): Passed (58 aye, 41 no).
- House Bill 641 (repeal Lews and Clark bicentennial plate program): Passed (93 aye, 6 no).
- House Bill 411 (exempt agricultural property from open space levies): Passed (56 aye, 43 no).
- Senate Bill 251 (establish confidentiality for Child and Family Ombudsman): Passed (98 aye, 1 no).
- Senate Bill 261 (endangering the welfare of children revisions): Passed (80 aye, 19 no).
- Senate Bill 78 (revised laws related to marking hides and meat): Passed (98 aye, 1 no).
- Senate Bill 9 (allow agency cash deposits biweekly): Passed (98 aye, 0 no).
- Senate Bill 315 (Petroleum Tank Release Compensation Board reimbursements): Concurred in (99 aye, 0 no).
- Senate Bill 456 (allow certain health-care staff to dispense drugs under circumstances): Concurred in (99 aye, 0 no).
- Senate Bill 5 (inactivating county tax appeal board compensation changes): Concurred in (100 aye recorded).
- Senate Bill 137 (juror excuse at age 75+ on request): Concurred in (92 aye, 7 no).
- Senate Bill 109 (include physical therapists as treating physicians under workers' comp): Concurred in (100 aye, 0 no).

Several other bills and committee reports were read and adopted or concurred in during the session; the House adopted the committee report and concluded its business for the day with motions referring certain bills to Appropriations for fiscal review.

Note: This roundup lists floor tallies recorded in the meeting transcript; summaries are limited to the roll-call numbers and outcomes as recorded on the House floor.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Floor Session - Mar 26, 2025 13:00 - 15:30","oneSentenceSummary","The House recorded dozens of read-and-vote actions on March 26, including concurrence votes on multiple Senate bills and passage of several House bills on second reading. This roundup lists bills acted on with recorded vote tallies and outcomes.","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},6622386,"House concurs in Stop Squatters Act after contested floor debate",365,5157000,5522000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784553-b3b1fc554014e3221f029c44acfa1aac&start=5157&end=5522","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784553-b3b1fc554014e3221f029c44acfa1aac/thumbnail_5157000.jpg","/articles/6622386/Montana/House-concurs-in-Stop-Squatters-Act-after-contested-floor-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622386-f94febefbf528a7b02fcaea24c5599b0/orig.mp4?Expires=1774917320&Signature=UAKsCoJRwlf-IqWGZLmUSpjc3A3W4Jz0UznBf6Z8aqw2JVt62zNgFsEjo4~MRT9mX82FsjYFHpUaIOIW1TKus03KlVjEFm6SijYMRadhT9WX~iYCB9ahOsltjz13D~khKcX9obbGTWCw0GGWGlSfsxbH7RYX86CeupqdlAq25MsSXW20~qata0wBVkAKDU0kirhSnfkTaugMJc~s4Ze~ISzRm~do6RvCpCucjL4IVnTFaruxpqyjxvoEOnUH~wygsG04CkYyEEO5mP~qstlgcX3sWpidhETeYUPf9tAyFR4lIc04oz5Os~dupe~v~wK8fyvn-BqL6lPtIb4FL3tqWg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House voted to concur in Senate Bill 101 on March 26, a bill that creates offenses described as unlawful squatting and fraudulent sale or lease of property and that provides a process for law enforcement to remove persons from premises and for indemnification of officers acting in good faith.

Representative Adam Vinton, who introduced the measure on the floor, said the bill addresses organized schemes that attempt to take over property titles or occupy homes by fraud. \"We're just trying to catch up with many other states that are doing this,\" Vinton said.

Opponents including Representative Jeremy Griffith and Representative Nick Revis argued similar protections already exist in Montana law — forcible entry and detainer, trespass, and burglary statutes — and warned the bill could shift a civil property dispute into a criminal enforcement role and raise indemnity concerns. Representative Baum raised concerns about indemnification language that would shield officers when removing occupants and said it could expose public employers to civil claims.

Representative Shane Maness defended the bill, saying law enforcement and associations had worked on edits and that the Sheriff's Association, Montana Police Protective Association and Montana Realtors supported the final language. \"Section 4, codification. Title 45 is crimes. This is going into crimes,\" Maness said, framing the bill as a criminal offense distinct from landlord-tenant law.

On the floor the House concurred in SB 101 by a vote of 58 to 42.

Next steps: Senate Bill 101 was concurred in by the House and will proceed toward final enrollment and signature according to the legislative calendar.","Senate Bill 101, a measure to criminalize certain forms of unlawful squatting and provide expedited removal and indemnity for law enforcement, was concurred in by the House after floor debate that split lawmakers over existing civil remedies and law enforcement roles.",{"_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},6622391,"House concurs with Senate to let presumptive Medicaid eligibility cover home and community-based services",416,4095000,4511000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784553-b3b1fc554014e3221f029c44acfa1aac&start=4095&end=4511","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784553-b3b1fc554014e3221f029c44acfa1aac/thumbnail_4095000.jpg","/articles/6622391/Montana/House-concurs-with-Senate-to-let-presumptive-Medicaid-eligibility-cover-home-and-community-based-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622391-eb1eb56fd84b77ef2788ca9f6370b208/orig.mp4?Expires=1774917320&Signature=W~3jVYFUJDc5saSysYwWBSm73qwYWxK04NkjmgxBcU38SKumMqXF6adb5~Bs6DybvoV2beGtBcBwcpl0t121LBZAmFCbipfqzpcHYxmk~0c-Bdgp-Y0mi5uarq~gTMBWX7OC9srLPAOE4ib1K5NA2MZEmu11sBy1SYlBOFiKKBpHibic03W28TPO47-hjWTQBMyNMeH6fYfyNPMmKJ-nE9-W1lFJ~jAgmIyMRbmqGmugKBhcPRVcUT4AYmFRqB29MZ7tyAq~7SMxp~cWkgwwVbVTeeh3WoMTWNO~5AxVPieyhYjGqQ4WFlBf7NFb6cIczmcLNv3Ac20QbJmhGPmAZw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montana House concurred in Senate Bill 72 on March 26, a bill that would allow presumptive eligibility under Medicaid for certain in-home and community-based services for elderly persons and persons with physical disabilities.

Representative Butchery, speaking as floor sponsor, said the bill would permit a presumptive eligibility screening that enables access to services quickly while the full application is processed; the approach is intended to prevent health decline and avoid institutionalization. \"Getting services within days and not months allows these parties to stay at home and not to have to enter nursing home care,\" Butchery said. He emphasized the bill requires the Department of Public Health and Human Services to submit a Medicaid waiver and state plan amendment to CMS; so some provisions are contingent on federal approval.

Representative Eva Gillette questioned whether presumptive eligibility already existed in practice in some settings such as hospitals or federally qualified health centers and noted providers can time coverage to when an application is submitted. Butchery and other proponents said application and approval timelines differ for home-and-community waiver services and that presumptive eligibility would fill a gap to provide care within days rather than months.

On the floor the House voted 71 to 29 to concur in the Senate bill. Later the Majority Leader moved to re-refer Senate Bill 72 to the Appropriations Committee for fiscal analysis and that referral was taken without objection.

Next steps: SB 72 was concurred in by the House and referred to Appropriations for fiscal review. The bill requires federal approvals (CMS waiver/state plan amendment) before some provisions take effect.","The House concurred in Senate Bill 72 to allow presumptive eligibility for certain Medicaid home and community-based services, advancing faster access to in-home care for elderly and physically disabled Montanans; the floor later re-referred the bill to Appropriations for fiscal review.",{"_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},6622396,"House approves bill to create state brownfields fund with seed funding",737,3352000,4089000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784553-b3b1fc554014e3221f029c44acfa1aac&start=3352&end=4089","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784553-b3b1fc554014e3221f029c44acfa1aac/thumbnail_3352000.jpg","/articles/6622396/Montana/House-approves-bill-to-create-state-brownfields-fund-with-seed-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622396-0441913d2c0572d82ab364544a0233c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1774917320&Signature=c63CAIpBZrhEWKAVcOFLD81CoBSvLTFIn6Bp0TN6UIYWR2QBhwNaFxF1tRRys~ynXjtMx1xqyvzEOOyPSwR8bedLHnKDGcapZfho2mau6S8bQb4tMLQTVdpEr8re8zmxxygYKvZn~T9fp8dUCIy8F8SA01NpkgxBSh3JyKUnbUI8Y1KMItj4Mz1QZRm53pXN5jjbIghNNWyacQMv7YKhHEwIYglO5VQCKUt8pGgT0GddqehDXCWzBG~6BW0RzI7tv7MJ5gmKpfYXwndXx5A9UKMQYk0qzUOmGlHu1FsCixKEkfW5PTjmKpKrr789s3FRX5cGWbLfOr4NGPFHvr3qkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House advanced House Bill 808, the Montana Brownfields Revitalization Act, which would create state authority and a fund to assess and clean up brownfield properties across Montana and to leverage federal brownfield funding.

Representative Neil Tuss, sponsor, said the bill expands the state’s brownfields authority to mirror how the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) already applies federal brownfield funding and would allow a state fund to help assess and clean up sites that currently deter redevelopment. Tuss said federal brownfields grants can be limited and a state fund would allow Montana to seed projects, leverage federal dollars, and increase the number of sites addressed.

Tuss offered an amendment to seed the program with $200,000 per year for the biennium as one-time funds to the DEQ; the amendment passed on the floor (74-26). Opponents, including Representative Mary Millett, said the bill creates a new state program and will require personnel and administrative resources; Millett said DEQ’s fiscal notes and assumptions indicate additional implementation costs and FTEs may be needed. Supporters including Representative Tom Weber and the sponsor said DEQ already operates a brownfields program and the seed funding would help leverage federal dollars for local economic redevelopment, including tribal communities.

After debate the House voted 58 to 42 to advance HB 808 on second reading. The sponsor closed by emphasizing there are no new FTEs tied directly to the bill text and that declined federal grants may otherwise go to other states if Montana is not prepared to match or leverage funds.

Next steps: House Bill 808 passed second reading and will proceed through the legislative process; the floor amendment creating a $200,000 annual seed for the biennium is part of the bill as amended.","House Bill 808 would authorize a Montana Brownfields Fund and program; the House approved a one-time $200,000 seed amendment and advanced the bill on second reading 58-42 after debate on staffing and federal funding interactions.",{"_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},6622401,"House advances $750 million long-range building bill after debating amendments",1047,2283000,3330000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784553-b3b1fc554014e3221f029c44acfa1aac&start=2283&end=3330","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784553-b3b1fc554014e3221f029c44acfa1aac/thumbnail_2283000.jpg","/articles/6622401/Montana/House-advances-750-million-long-range-building-bill-after-debating-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622401-2613a599d041eb5480942184d8d6d288/orig.mp4?Expires=1774917320&Signature=X5W7tObpv5-t2PabsK9E9ZVFuflRd58rzZvQFuI43x~z1P7wVWZYDHu17q5irkwBeSRE2lyTb2EIy2a5BhZmnKiwPhUijjOAJw57IbJTLP-6fELtCzfRYNlFQ8Xv54gmfRCsvhXxHPThcCQrM2VDRF65TdyIWkDCCFRsibmF38FYCa9yuHAayv0ytOL3OEpu7GV4NQDgBG7xt~72jQznDAft6aVQarF9Y3J3XdPeL04LnGmIEs~JHzJCWFSBFCC5tAJXX4DgrdqR10zB8owEiatKeBMbo61-L2yeLO3VB4Yw8l~geRuCIjvwvDv4HF-8Qe5IwCFes-ya-2vhZlmPYQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montana House on March 26 advanced House Bill 5, the state's long-range building program bill that packages major repair and capital development projects for the biennium ending June 30, 2027.

Majority Leader Jay Fitzpatrick, sponsor on the floor, described three components: a major repairs section (projects under $2.5 million or certain smaller construction), capital development for larger projects funded with a mix of state special revenues and federal project resources, and appropriations for routine operations of facilities once constructed. Fitzpatrick said the major-repairs section lists 56 projects totaling about $43.3 million and that the overall bill is roughly $750 million in round numbers, a decrease of about $400 million from 2023.

Floor debate centered on two amendments. Representative Adam Vinton offered an amendment to redirect potential funds to the local bridge fund if a separate senate bill failed; members opposed using House Bill 5 to create a new state subsidy for local bridges, and the amendment failed on the floor. Representative John Falk offered an amendment to remove an inflation reserve; Falk argued the reserve contributes to rising construction costs and called some accounts \"slush funds.\" Committee sponsors and others, including Fitzpatrick, argued keeping a small reserve is prudent to address bid and cost overruns. The Falk amendment failed 34-66.

Fitzpatrick and other supporters said the bill includes design standardization and bundling to save costs and that many projects are funded with license or special-revenue dollars rather than general fund. Opponents raised concerns about growth in new subsidy programs and general fund pressure. Representative Paul Fielder noted the bill's size and questioned particular line items.

The House voted 84 to 16 to advance House Bill 5 on second reading. The bill’s funding mix, project prioritization direction, and the use of standard designs and bundling were highlighted as committee decisions intended to reduce cost and accelerate high-need projects such as mental health and corrections facilities.

Next steps: House Bill 5 advanced from second reading and will proceed through the remaining legislative process and any subsequent budgetary actions needed for implementation.","House Bill 5, Montana's long-range building and major repair bill, advanced on second reading after floor debate and failed floor amendments; the bill contains major-repairs and capital-development components and includes directions to prioritize mental health and corrections projects.",{"_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},6622404,"House advances Montana BEST program to pair new teachers with mentors",645,1629000,2274000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2784553-b3b1fc554014e3221f029c44acfa1aac&start=1629&end=2274","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2784553-b3b1fc554014e3221f029c44acfa1aac/thumbnail_1629000.jpg","/articles/6622404/Montana/House-advances-Montana-BEST-program-to-pair-new-teachers-with-mentors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622404-6bf1e7c133e485eeb44e758f976b3f6d/orig.mp4?Expires=1774917320&Signature=FsksPzIQRQG0K2Koooey0fHvyNbBxCxbOOVyuQgL9R4rbcjekDShdkz8pgIXAvsQFVe8oBu~SVswdXNkqODL7QF2NeG2bshYU3CmExc1BWqkvvSdSdnrfbqDsGqgjMSDBWqSSQifGZM4XcVooBjEBAt4FDnwIocUWRrWAJRH3-cDY6bqSStlfFodZcwRMDtsUgkTsqUcxTBmQqYvIaDd6GWc5GuRnxthQWYj4G33Shcoome0nvT0GBiENQLdB4CZ0~d8TC9bizMSpKVHiek-L-9RKu15H4lZIJO3VAYr-BJ5gvLJiYe9ukIHIKM5uxiv4nGJfHfh6VCdLAAcuW~S5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montana House on March 26 advanced House Bill 340, a bill to create the Montana BEST program—Bolstering Educators Support and Training—a voluntary, one-year pilot that pairs early-career teachers with experienced educators and provides stipends, training, and an interactive learning platform.

Sponsor Representative Laurie Romano, who introduced the bill in committee, said the measure responds to rising use of emergency teaching authorizations and high early-career turnover. \"Our early career educators are matched with experienced educators and receive a nominal financial support,\" Romano said, adding the bill caps program administrative costs at 15 percent and includes reporting and a termination date in the text.

The bill would appropriate $1,000,000 from the state general fund in the current biennium and the legislature intends that appropriation be considered part of the ongoing base for the next session, Representative Mark Millett noted on the floor. Romano and supporters emphasized the bill is a pilot with reporting requirements so lawmakers can evaluate effectiveness before committing further funding.

Members who spoke in favor described teacher shortages and high use of emergency authorizations. Representative Ryan Tillman, speaking from the Office of Public Instruction background, cited data on agricultural teachers and said the program \"is a very good bill\" to help districts that rely on industry hires and emergency-authorized educators. Representative Ed Thain, a former superintendent, urged support as an investment in retention that pays off compared with recruitment costs. Representative Darlene Eisley called teaching “an extremely challenging job” and urged a green vote.

Opponents did not dominate floor remarks, but debate focused on funding permanence and the program’s long-term cost. Romano said the program is a pilot and includes termination and reporting requirements so the legislature can judge results before making it permanent. The committee recommended the bill \"do pass,\" and on second reading the House voted 67 to 33 to advance the bill.

Later in the day Majority Leader Fitzpatrick moved to re-refer House Bill 340 to the Appropriations Committee; the motion was made on the floor and taken without objection, sending the bill to Appropriations for fiscal consideration.

Votes and next steps: House Bill 340 passed second reading (67-33) and was re-referred to the Appropriations Committee for further fiscal review and any supplemental action.

Because the bill contains an appropriation and reporting requirements, its final enactment will depend on the Appropriations Committee’s review and potential placement in the budget process.","The House advanced House Bill 340, creating the voluntary Montana BEST (Bolstering Educators Support and Training) pilot program with a $1 million appropriation and reporting requirements; the bill passed second reading and was later re-referred to Appropriations for fiscal review.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: House floor actions and concurrence votes March 26

House concurs in Stop Squatters Act after contested floor debate

House concurs with Senate to let presumptive Medicaid eligibility cover home and community-based services

House approves bill to create state brownfields fund with seed funding

House advances $750 million long-range building bill after debating amendments

House advances Montana BEST program to pair new teachers with mentors