Committee approves HB78 on pet insurance language; question on definition of “pet” addressed

Helena — The Montana House Business and Labor Committee voted to pass House Bill 78 in executive action after brief discussion about whether the bill adequately defines the term “pet.” Vice Chair Lynch moved the bill; the sponsor was Representative Overstreet.

Representative Gist asked whether the bill sufficiently defines "pet." Committee staff (Jamieson) told members that a definition is included and that the bill excludes commercial animals. "Are we adequately defining the word pet?" Representative Gist asked; Jamieson replied, "No. We we had that before," indicating staff had reviewed the question and the definition existed in the text.

Committee members recorded voice votes and several proxies were announced before the committee concluded that HB78 would move to the House floor. Representative Lynch led the motion to pass; the committee chair announced the bill will be forwarded to the floor after the executive action vote.

The discussion was brief and centered on definitions; the committee recorded the bill as passed in committee and moved on to scheduling and other committee business.