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Small definitions bill aims to keep Montana FBI criminal‑records access for licensing checks
Summary
HB 735 adds statutory definitions to Montana fingerprinting and licensing law to address FBI concerns about ambiguous terms; state revenue and gambling control officials supported the change as technical and non‑substantive.
Representative Steve Fitzpatrick opened discussion on House Bill 735, a technical bill to add definitions to the fingerprinting and licensing statutes after the Federal Bureau of Investigation flagged statutory ambiguity that could jeopardize state access to national criminal justice information.
Becky Schlauch, Alcoholic Beverage Control administrator at the Department of Revenue, testified the changes ‘‘change nothing’’ operationally but should satisfy FBI requirements so state agencies can continue to perform background checks and approve licensing transfers. Jason Johnson (Gambling Control Division) and representatives of the Montana Tavern Association also supported the bill as needed technical clarifications.
Committee members had no substantive questions and the sponsor described the measures as definitions for terms such as managing member, member, nonprofit organization and trustee to harmonize state law with federal expectations.
Ending: Supporters characterized HB 735 as a narrowly targeted, noncontroversial fix that preserves the state’s access to national criminal records for licensing checks.
