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House Judiciary advances four bills in executive action — voice votes; one amendment recorded
Summary
During executive action the committee advanced House Bills 46, 75, 116 (as amended), and 117. HB116 passed with an amendment requiring on‑screen video for remotely appearing public defenders; three members were recorded voting 'no' on the final passage of HB116 as amended.
The Montana House Judiciary Committee conducted executive action and advanced four bills by voice vote.
- House Bill 46 (sponsor: Representative Revis; at request of the Office of Public Defender) — committee staff said the bill revises change‑of‑attorney laws and exempts public defenders appointed under the Public Defender Act from certain procedural requirements. Representative Deming moved “do pass.” The committee passed HB46 by voice vote; no roll call tally was recorded in the hearing minutes.
- House Bill 75 (sponsor: Representative Gist; at request of the Public Safety Officer Standards and Training Council) — titled in committee as revisions to public safety officer employment, education and certification standards. Representative Deming moved “do pass” on behalf of the committee; the bill passed by voice vote with no proxy votes noted.
- House Bill 116 (sponsor: Representative Valerie Moore; at request of the Office of Public Defender) — the bill permits attorneys to appear remotely in court. During executive action committee members adopted amendment 116.001.001 (moved by Representative Deming) requiring that when public defenders appear remotely under the subsection that applies to public defenders, the attorney must appear on camera (video). The amendment passed by voice vote. Representative Deming then moved final passage of HB116 as amended; the committee approved HB116 as amended by voice vote. The clerk recorded three named ‘‘no’’ votes on the final passage: Representatives Mitchell, Clacken, and Kayla Pinkel. The committee noted no proxies.
- House Bill 117 (sponsor: Representative Regier; at the request of the Criminal Justice Oversight Council) — would establish criminal justice data warehouse project priorities for the interim. Representative Deming moved “do pass” and the committee approved HB117 by voice vote with no roll call.
Committee staff summarized bills and noted the bills were commonly requested by state agencies or oversight bodies. Where recorded, staff noted whether bills were requested (OPD, POST Council, CJOC) and listed the sponsoring legislator; the committee did not hold recorded roll‑call votes for HB46, HB75 or HB117 during this session.
Why it matters: executive action moves these measures closer to floor consideration. HB116’s amendment creates a specific requirement for remote appearances by public defenders, which the committee recorded as passing despite a small number of objections.
Next steps: bills advanced from House Judiciary and will be placed on the legislature’s next scheduling list for committee of the whole or floor action.
