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Senate committee adopts SR 40 after amendment removing department representative from confirmations
Summary
The Montana Senate Transportation Committee held a hearing on SR 40 to confirm five transportation commission members, approved an amendment removing Department of Transportation representative Bob Cloninger from the list of members subject to confirmation, and adopted the resolution as amended.
The Montana Senate Transportation Committee met to hear SR 40, a resolution to confirm five members of the Montana Transportation Commission. Celia Rigler, representing the governor's office and the lieutenant governor, opened the hearing in support of the confirmation resolution. “I'm here on behalf of the governor's office, the lieutenant governor in support of SR 40, confirmation of transportation commission members,” Rigler said.
The committee heard from Chris Dorrington, director of the Montana Department of Transportation, who spoke as a proponent for SR 40 and offered to represent absent commissioners during the hearing. Lauren Frazier, who identified herself as chair of the commission, spoke in support and described the commission as “a very good thoughtful bunch of commissioners.” Commissioner Noel Sansaver (spelled in the record as Sansaver) also spoke in support and recounted his roughly eight years of service representing eastern Montana.
Committee members were informed that one line in the resolution incorrectly listed Bob Cloninger as a commission member subject to confirmation. Rigler said the line should be struck because “He is the department's representative and is not subject to confirmation.” The committee posted and considered an amendment (SR0040.001) to remove Cloninger from the list of nominees subject to confirmation; senators moved to adopt the amendment and it carried by voice vote and proxies.
After the amendment was adopted, a motion to adopt the resolution as amended carried. Multiple members recorded aye by proxy during the voice votes; the committee chair announced the result as unanimous. No dissenting votes were recorded on the floor during the committee's voice actions on SR 40.
The hearing record includes biographical summaries provided by DOT staff about the nominees, including commissioner Cody Swartz (civil engineering and land surveying experience), Scott Aspenlighter (water resources and permitting experience), Shane Sanders (pilot and former military aviator), Lauren Frazier (chair), and Noel Sansaver (District 4 representative). The committee concluded the SR 40 hearing and posted the amendment online prior to the final vote.
