The Montana House Rules Committee on Oct. 12 debated and approved amendments to HR 1 that define decorum, set a staged penalty process for violations and add a prohibition on interns lobbying, then voted to move HR 1 as amended to the House floor.

The committee considered an amendment labeled HR001.001 that defines decorum to include refraining from profanity, impugning motives and violating privileges or recognition procedures. The amendment preserves a two-step disciplinary framework of (1) a warning and (2) up to three consecutive legislative days in which a member may not be recognized on the floor; language providing for automatic expulsion at a third offense was removed in committee drafting. The amendment also includes a requirement that alleged decorum breaches be raised within one legislative day.

Representative Carlin introduced HR001.001 and explained the changes, saying the goal was a “tight and enforceable” definition of decorum and to remove automatic expulsion from the rules. Carlin also said the amendment gives the Speaker discretion to continue not recognizing a member or to move for expulsion rather than creating a rule that automatically expels an elected member.

Committee members debated constitutional limits and enforcement procedures. A staff speaker pointed to Montana’s constitution during debate, noting Article V, Section 10 requires a two-thirds concurrence of the whole house to “expel or punish a member.” The committee’s code commissioner confirmed that the constitutional provision could apply to rules that impose penalties and emphasized the distinction between removing recognition on the floor and expelling a member from the legislature.

Opponents argued the amendment still appeared to create disciplinary language that could amount to punishment and said the constitution’s two‑thirds requirement should govern expulsions or significant punishments. Representative Sullivan said she could not support the motion because she worried rules could be used to silence speech; Representative Beatty asked for clarification about whether the rule’s use of the word “expel” referred to removal from the legislature or removal from the floor. Supporters, including Representative Hankel, said the amendment targets only breaches of decorum and that the body typically shows leniency before imposing sanctions.

Representative Carlin offered a substitute motion to his own amendment that would have further limited expulsion language; that substitute failed on a roll call vote, 9–12. After additional drafting and a clerical wording change, the committee approved HR001.001 by roll call vote, 13–9.

Separately, the committee considered HR001.001.002, an amendment that bars interns from lobbying and prevents interns from using the Republican bullpen; committee discussion narrowed the language to remove a specific reference to a Democratic bullpen. The interns amendment passed on a voice vote. Earlier in the meeting the committee also adopted a motion to authorize proxies for committee members by voice vote.

After the votes, Chair Fitzpatrick moved HR 1, as amended, to the House floor; the committee passed that motion by roll call, 13–9. Committee members said they expect to return for joint rules if the Senate transmits joint-rule language.

The measures change House rule language on decorum and enforcement procedures and add operational restrictions affecting interns. The committee debate repeatedly referenced Montana’s constitutional requirement for a two‑thirds concurrence to expel or punish a member, and several members asked staff and the code commissioner to ensure the rules language aligns with that constitutional standard.

Votes at a glance
- Motion to authorize proxies: voice vote — approved (voice vote; tally not specified in transcript).
- Substitute motion to change HR001.001 to remove further expulsion language (moved by Representative Carlin): failed, 9 yes, 12 no (roll call recorded).
- HR001.001 (decorum definition and penalties, as amended): approved, 13 yes, 9 no (roll call recorded).
- HR001.001.002 (interns/lobbying and bullpen rule): approved (voice vote).
- Motion to move HR 1, as amended, to the House floor: approved, 13 yes, 9 no (roll call recorded).

Next steps
HR 1, as amended, will be reported out of committee and go to the House floor. Committee members said they will reconvene if the Senate transmits joint rules for consideration.