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Votes at a glance: Montana Senate advances multiple bills on second reading, holds contentious floor fights
Summary
The Montana Senate’s committee of the whole moved a package of bills through second reading and delivered final floor votes on several measures, while several contested proposals drew extended debate and at least one tie vote.
The Montana Senate on Feb. 5 advanced a slate of bills on second reading and took final passage on several, while heated floor debate stalled or split other measures.
A committee of the whole recommended passage of a group of bills covering topics from building code oversight to tribal language preservation; several measures later passed on third reading. The session’s business included lengthy debate over driver’s-license markings, law enforcement and sentencing changes, reimbursement for interim-legislative travel, and a proposal to post the Ten Commandments in every public-school classroom.
Why this matters: The bills debated affect state procurement and construction review, election procedures, juror service rules, compensation/reimbursement for legislators’ interim work, criminal sentencing for theft, and cultural- and religious‑display policy in public schools. Some items carry fiscal implications and constitutional questions that senators said could require additional review.
Key outcomes and procedural steps
- Senate committee recommendations (committee of the whole): The committee reported that Senate bills 33, 29, 26, 58, 137, 91, 64, 84, 19, 14 and 177 do pass; Senate Bill 45 was laid over for the day; Senate Bill 114 did not pass committee report. (Source: committee report read on the floor.)
- Third-reading floor votes (selected bills): - Senate Bill 46 (underground petroleum tank fee increases): passed the Senate on third reading (44–4). - Senate Bill 80 (allow digital livestock transport documentation): passed (48–0). - Senate Bill 182 (Indian language preservation program): passed (35–13). - Senate Bill 183 (outfitter endorsement for guide licensure): passed (39–9).
- Re-referrals and motions: After committee action, the majority leader moved to re-refer Senate Bill 91 (driver’s license citizenship marker) to financing claims. Senate Bill 159 (coal trust/education tax credit) was ordered reconsidered and returned to second reading for further debate.
Context and next steps: Several bills that passed committee drew follow-up action—re-referrals or rework on financing claims—so final fiscal implications remain to be resolved. At least one high-profile measure (the proposal to require Ten Commandments displays in classrooms) failed to secure a favorable committee disposition and remains unresolved.
Ending note: The Senate adjourned to reconvene Thursday, Feb. 6 at 1 p.m. for additional floor business and committee work.
Votes-at-glance provenance (topic intro/finish): - topicintro evidence: block_id="9948" evidence_excerpt="Mister president, we, your committee of the whole, having had under consideration, bills on second reading, respectfully report as follows. Senate bill 33, senate bill 29, senate bill 26, senate bill 58, senate bill 1 37, senate bill 91, senate bill 64, senate bill 84, senate bill 19, senate bill 14, and senate bill 1 77 do pass." (start of committee report on floor) - topfinish evidence: block_id="10047" evidence_excerpt="With 48 voting yes and 0 voting no. Senate bill 80 is passed the senate." (example final third-reading report)
