Montana House advances scores of bills in long roll-call session; a few measures fail

The Montana House of Representatives convened for an extended floor session and took up a long series of roll-call votes on bills spanning criminal justice, education, natural resources, health care and other policy areas. Most measures reported by members were approved by the House; a small number failed on final passage.

The session opened with procedural remarks, an invocation and the pledge of allegiance. The chamber then read and considered many bills on third reading; for each bill the House took a voice or electronic vote and the clerk announced the recorded tally before the Speaker announced the outcome.

Why it matters: The votes move legislation forward to the Senate or enact changes that will affect state agencies, local governments and regulated industries across Montana. Several bills recorded lopsided margins, while a few generated closer margins or failed on the floor.

Votes at a glance (selected bills and recorded tallies as announced on the floor):

- House Bill 752 (Schubert) — “A bill for an act” (title read on the floor). Clerk: 59 ayes, 40 no; outcome: passed.

- House Bill 521 (Shomer) — “Generally Revised Civil Liability Laws.” Clerk: 58 ayes, 41 no; passed.

- House Bill 823 (Barker) — “Revise laws relating to the state plan committee.” Clerk: 9 ayes, 0 no (as announced); passed.

- House Bill 792 (Cunningham) — “Generally revised laws related to cannabis labeling and education.” Clerk: 94 ayes, 5 no; passed.