[{"_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",6095434,"mediaKeyId","2837388-f01262cc08c505dd47935b6c551b0704","parentId",2837388,"title","Montana pharmacists push PBM reform bill to stop low reimbursements; insurers and PBMs warn of higher premiums","audioSeconds",6562,"startMs",6562179,"endMs",-1,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2837388-f01262cc08c505dd47935b6c551b0704&start=6562&end=0","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2837388-f01262cc08c505dd47935b6c551b0704/thumbnail_6562179.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6095434/Montana/Montana-pharmacists-push-PBM-reform-bill-to-stop-low-reimbursements-insurers-and-PBMs-warn-of-higher-premiums","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095434-5f1da2413534f49f682ec3d97fa24ce0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199315&Signature=ZAUFx92zuVcvDv1ahyVFwdvyhChRwxlwtND~wTbds5HFlP8U40opwn7Ds9DBXJCWn5435cePiLu0HOWkX-Ys5G9Z7VJBx0Qo8y-cf0eysup80AgNsfyWUSDGrEHH8ocYPyE-qZf3SccPm7bnrW1Z1T~ALfq7SVIRCgWOkGIOuGGualjTqi6LZW42UhF4SYmG-FQGujFT7GcJr7Jroxp3fLYeOVQQAomeP8PExhgO2AI-eViFodFRk-YDPD0~gpJBxCPqfJjtbG8Z-T4i3uGzvaO13nQfQGliuPeNi8x356VM14Qatu6m-yejPTaI8jd2mABxgUrkn6O68H4IsNCBrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-04-01T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Marta Bertoglio opened the Senate Judiciary hearing on House Bill 740, a multi‑part proposal to change how pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) reimburse pharmacies and to bar certain PBM fee practices.

Bertoglio told the committee the bill’s aim is to prevent pharmacy closures and maintain access to medications in rural Montana by setting NAIDAC (national average acquisition cost)‑based reimbursements, raising dispensing fees toward Medicaid levels and prohibiting clawbacks, virtual‑card fees, and other practices proponents called “spread pricing” or “effective rate contracting.” She brought handouts showing independent pharmacies’ closures and pricing analyses and asked the committee for a due pass.

Proponents included numerous community pharmacists, owners of rural and critical‑access pharmacies, nonprofit clinics and pharmacy associations. Witnesses testified that independent pharmacies are paid below acquisition cost, that multiple pharmacies had closed (witnesses cited losing 10 independent pharmacies in 2024 and other local closures), and that PBM practices force patients into mail‑order and PBM‑owned pharmacies. Several community pharmacists described patients forced to use insurer‑owned specialty pharmacies for temperature‑sensitive drugs or experiencing lengthy phone interactions and delivery issues with mail‑order providers.

Opponents included Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, PBM trade associations, and several insurers and PBM representatives. Blue Cross told the committee the bill would increase plan costs and estimated an illustrative $17.5 million annual cost that would raise premiums for families and employers; PBM representatives warned that increased dispensing fees and mandatory minimums would be passed to consumers through higher premiums or copay structures. AHIP warned of ERISA preemption issues for self‑insured plans governed by federal law.

Committee members asked about fiscal notes, the scope of entities affected and possible amendments narrowly protecting independent pharmacies; sponsors and testimony indicated negotiations and amendment work were ongoing. The transcript records robust testimony and cross‑examination but no committee vote in the provided excerpts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Judiciary - Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025 07:59 - 12:07","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Marta Bertoglio told the Senate Judiciary Committee HB 740 would set minimum reimbursements and bar certain PBM fee practices to shore up independent and rural pharmacies facing closures in Montana.","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},6095439,"Bill would require county attorneys and APS to report elder‑exploitation allegations; DOJ and DPHHS back measure",516,5135865,5652055,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2837388-f01262cc08c505dd47935b6c551b0704&start=5135&end=5652","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2837388-f01262cc08c505dd47935b6c551b0704/thumbnail_5135865.jpg","/articles/6095439/Montana/Bill-would-require-county-attorneys-and-APS-to-report-elderexploitation-allegations-DOJ-and-DPHHS-back-measure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095439-d9613e3d1c88e779c7e9ab5e452a4af3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199315&Signature=hWNtA9OBZ~M3D9GkzQKDXdQtYRNfNLySmaH3eCMlPIzJmoT6SROnDVDi4UOa7787d~f3~6jxUBx6~gYLcIVnSFb0BV4k~qFbbT4Ea8NCVVTwFFpbZf3OzVW-RrrF4msYjTPoI9bqwWuPptUFB6GbzNs6klI3F14MyzxV8ZJkjbEPNKzzMFZk-qoMf2M5C6RvfxGS8ADTPIDL7MxVtsa9Ghfq-0Q59lTSESGrITCA0caVOI0QGBEUxuDINIFRwgAoFp7f3agR6v86yPwuNbm36~7VlFIi~SV1kWAvVzm~d9MzcmpVrkNXqRn3eEJqsLRTHrAt3Nnc~lTchN0-M3FvIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Bill Mercer said House Bill 743 would extend Montana’s reporting framework used for child sexual‑abuse allegations to reports of financial exploitation of incapacitated and vulnerable adults.

Mercer told the committee the bill would require reports from county attorneys and Adult Protective Services (APS) to be compiled by the Attorney General’s office and would permit the Attorney General to request investigative findings when a county attorney declines prosecution. Mercer said the reporting would give the Attorney General a statewide lens on whether cases are being investigated and prosecuted appropriately.

Allen Doane of the Department of Justice told senators the Department already maintains county‑attorney reporting portals for child abuse and fentanyl prosecutions and said adding elder‑exploitation reporting would impose minimal additional impact on DOJ. Lindsay Carter of the Department of Public Health and Human Services, who oversees Adult Protective Services, and Kristen Page Nye of AARP Montana both testified in support, saying the bill would increase transparency and accountability and could help identify prosecutable cases that might otherwise be missed.

The committee recorded questions about the fiscal note; Mercer said the most recent fiscal estimate was $0 and that the Attorney General’s oversight authority could be requested to review investigative findings when local prosecution was declined. The transcript shows the hearing closed with proponents supporting a due pass recommendation; no committee vote is recorded in the provided material.","Representative Bill Mercer told the Senate Judiciary Committee HB 743 extends mandatory reporting and reporting‑to‑the‑Attorney General procedures that applied to child abuse to financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. The Department of Justice and DPHHS supported the bill as a transparency and oversight tool.",{"_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},6095443,"Bill would let judges order weekend incarceration for DUI offenders; sheriffs warn of contraband, jail logistics",512,2541900,3054300,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2837388-f01262cc08c505dd47935b6c551b0704&start=2541&end=3054","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2837388-f01262cc08c505dd47935b6c551b0704/thumbnail_2541900.jpg","/articles/6095443/Montana/Bill-would-let-judges-order-weekend-incarceration-for-DUI-offenders-sheriffs-warn-of-contraband-jail-logistics","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095443-6ec6790a46ce4c63e4def7684b2c6bb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199315&Signature=K~hnOUJOQMjY09Fwm7KeyorGF6IM9NybRGgWbr4ZEd-a-zv5XVigbIn3up3oPlz4w4~KdIZKSPR0HES78DVM1DWXSVTpM45UGx49UmQGBwceeORPD8hyzg0DS-XTPUjEDHNVimPjUviQhr11vyW67vqC1mF5xn5rgn-ca-UYj7FOBwVvdZPHkO03MEPNt6ahCW2o48yT2dWZqb7HdzLBQpSfSAXu3QKAVANzlDzVRp1iKIwUuMYnfN3eOQGOJveLnPObLBGXN74non9rpyQiFXpzqSCr7A4rSY-I0WFH5v54WvKedBR031hFOKx3GgNYlpFH2zp641nbGrLBQZHVoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Fiona Nave presented House Bill 816 to the Senate Judiciary Committee as a sentencing option for DUI convictions that would let judges impose confinement of not less than 24 hours and up to six months, with an option to serve sentences in weekend segments.

Nave said the idea is to change behavior while reducing harm to employment and family obligations: “If you drive when you drink, you'll use your most valuable time,” she told the committee.

The Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, represented by Brian Thompson, and Cascade County under‑sheriff Scott Van Dyken opposed the bill in its current form. Thompson praised the sponsor’s creativity but said county jails — which sheriffs operate — face repeated in-and-out bookings that increase contraband risks and administrative burden. Van Dyken told senators his jail has seen repeat offenders bring contraband into facilities and that the jail’s capacity and booking workflow are already strained; he said the cumulative effect of repeated weekend incarceration could increase overdose and liability events.

Committee members discussed alternative confinement options such as prerelease, GPS house‑arrest and pretrial services. Nave said confinement could occur in pre‑release facilities or other alternatives and not necessarily in county jails.

No committee vote is recorded in the transcript; senators asked the sponsor to work with jails to address booking and contraband concerns before further action.","Representative Fiona Nave told the Senate Judiciary Committee HB 816 would allow judges to impose a weekend-based incarceration option of 24 hours to six months for DUI convictions to change behavior while minimizing disruption to employment; sheriffs testified that repeated short stays raise contraband, staffing and capacity problems.",{"_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},6095448,"Sponsor seeks steep civil penalties for websites that distribute child sexual abuse material; opponents warn of unintended consequences",2704,1456870,4161595,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2837388-f01262cc08c505dd47935b6c551b0704&start=1456&end=4161","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2837388-f01262cc08c505dd47935b6c551b0704/thumbnail_1456870.jpg","/articles/6095448/Montana/Sponsor-seeks-steep-civil-penalties-for-websites-that-distribute-child-sexual-abuse-material-opponents-warn-of-unintended-consequences","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095448-6a425a3ec873ac5823ae3660fa3edac5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199315&Signature=O78s5IxbuFnij4Mykuu2WcW1YW-wafO92JhWMs9~I9wFUa5tbw-UMhTsNi-4pF2LEM1WkgEOlP9lryqMI3Qgf0xTZ-H8Oh7HEt-3W-QIYFAdJC8X8cTxUKuoEjfYj1pb85OUQpsYL8Ke3n2F~h19ca7w~pCI6YJbEu-Rryzu1tIm4G157bTDPAlVAr0j~eMmnhJBdTw~h0GjWL8pyx8H3m94-Cy6C-zaxCm7wKtDDRPbzJj-GR~vGT4sq656Vdu0QO0BvHqoZj0WMXSnZobyYOH-r3kwpIfoFZSabm4LKuKZrDSo9tn0ljkcZeJ8YCSUCcRc~SBMpxUJDyeX81O93A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Lucas Schubert opened the House Bill 752 hearing in Senate Judiciary, describing a proposal to impose civil liability on websites that profit from or distribute child sexual abuse material (CSAM) accessible to people in Montana.

Schubert said the bill would base liability for profit on revenue generated from distribution to a person in Montana and would treat each unique piece of CSAM as a discrete unit of liability. The sponsor proposed a statutory damages schedule in the bill’s discussion: $5,000,000 per piece for intentional violations, $1,000,000 for negligent violations and $100,000 for strict liability, and he described a 48‑hour takedown period as an automatic defense if content is removed.

Proponents included a mix of local residents and advocacy voices who told the committee that CSAM is being monetized and that stronger remedies are needed. Anna Shchemelinin described online exploitation and urged passage. Schubert told the committee he intended an amendment to narrow thresholds that would otherwise capture mainstream retailers and streaming services.

Opponents included the Montana Chamber of Commerce, the Montana Retail Association, TechNet and other industry groups. Chamber witness Charles Robinson said the bill’s original “5% threshold of sexually explicit visual content” would improperly capture many legitimate retailers and streaming services; he recommended a 33.3% threshold used in other statutes. Retail and tech witnesses also said the 48‑hour takedown defense is difficult to meet because illegal content is often hidden and only discoverable when notified.

Rose Feliciano of TechNet asked for a knowledge standard aligned with federal law and for the bill to exempt providers whose activity is limited to hosting, cloud or telecom services. Retail witnesses warned of extortion strategies that could flourish if litigants could sue for statutory damages. Schubert said his amendment would raise the “substantial amount” threshold and that the bill is intended to preserve prosecutorial focus while creating private enforcement options.

The transcript records a lengthy committee discussion about thresholds, the proposed private right of action, distribution versus profit standards, and potential fiscal impacts if statutory-damage funds were collected and administered; no committee vote is recorded in the provided transcript.","House Bill 752 would impose large statutory damages on websites that profit from or host child sexual abuse material (CSAM) accessible in Montana, with a 48‑hour takedown defense; proponents called it necessary, opponents including trade groups and retailers warned it risks lawsuits, misclassification and cost shifts.",{"_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},6095453,"Montana bill would add ‘digitally fabricated’ images to privacy offenses to target sextortion and extortion",1132,273555,1406115,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2837388-f01262cc08c505dd47935b6c551b0704&start=273&end=1406","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2837388-f01262cc08c505dd47935b6c551b0704/thumbnail_273555.jpg","/articles/6095453/Montana/Montana-bill-would-add-digitally-fabricated-images-to-privacy-offenses-to-target-sextortion-and-extortion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6095453-b535b551cd82c83bb3bfa7bd68600fb0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771199315&Signature=MNmM~di9Lx4ZcCLTHAJAaB3vCUepZDUMIwkIHklirinCzS84wpmNHHFLjdpH1xBj1cH-FIFNwWREM1cJhEUbGw8f7KNQaGqKKt3diraWEyjTgu6VsZ~OX8yIqwDq0gAyoeHMjbaXhK~8abFxwb5yv8jUASyiVXy3dxsFp1fkhQ1ymICF5fVswxxd0WT22e7FeAHV~pryGOrh~2mjS7Tum8WNp7CADlM5PxPlH2Kr8zf29LObQ4pOeHsegpMMP05u6AYsF5F-9QgF-eQCSXRKSwM1~hDtRsK2FNPuSFtaX~cU1dGaqYNnapigFz3aKuYhSUknKdmPTYRMNctPHDAVXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Joe Konauer introduced House Bill 514 to the Senate Judiciary Committee as an update to Montana’s privacy-and-communications statutes to capture fabricated digital images and new forms of online extortion.

Konauer told the committee the measure would add language to make it an offense to “publish or distribute or disclose…digitally fabricated or electronic photographs, pictures, images, and films of an identified person” when done with the intent to “terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, or injure, or to obtain money or other valuable consideration.” He said the change was meant to protect school-age children from an increase in fabricated media and sextortion and to modernize the statute.

Proponents included Brian Thompson, who spoke for the Montana County Attorneys Association and the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, and urged a do-pass, calling the policy appropriate for new technology. Public commenter Anna Shchemelinin described online exploitation she said had contributed to two local teen suicides and urged passage. The Department of Corrections’ chief financial officer, Natalie Smitham, identified herself as available for technical questions but did not take a position on record.

Questions from senators focused on prevalence, prosecutorial pathways and juvenile handling. Konauer and Brian Smith of the Public Defender’s Office agreed youth cases generally proceed in youth court and that distinguishing intent is central when an image was originally shared consensually. Smith told the committee the office had not run searches for alternate charges and said the fiscal note contained limited data.

Konauer said he would coordinate the bill’s definition of “digitally fabricated” with the Attorney General’s office and with other bills being considered, and he asked for a do-pass or do-concur recommendation.

The committee closed the hearing with no recorded vote in the transcript.","Sponsor Rep. Joe Konauer told the Senate Judiciary Committee HB 514 would expand state privacy-and-communications offenses to cover fabricated or digitally manipulated images used to intimidate, extort or harass. Supporters said the measure fills gaps used against school-age victims; opponents raised procedural and enforcement questions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Montana pharmacists push PBM reform bill to stop low reimbursements; insurers and PBMs warn of higher premiums

Bill would require county attorneys and APS to report elder‑exploitation allegations; DOJ and DPHHS back measure

Bill would let judges order weekend incarceration for DUI offenders; sheriffs warn of contraband, jail logistics

Sponsor seeks steep civil penalties for websites that distribute child sexual abuse material; opponents warn of unintended consequences

Montana bill would add ‘digitally fabricated’ images to privacy offenses to target sextortion and extortion