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Bill would create optional training on Montana tribal nations for legislators
Summary
Sen. Shane Morigeau proposed Senate Bill 311 to provide optional training about Montana tribal nations, sovereignty and intergovernmental relations; tribes, advocacy groups and policy organizations testified in support while fiscal impacts were narrowed by amendment.
Sen. Shane Morigeau told the House State Administration Committee Senate Bill 311 would establish an optional training program and updated handbook sections to give Montana legislators better background on tribal nations, federal Indian law and government-to-government relationships.
"This is intended to just have the committee work with the state tribal relations director and staff to put together an optional training for legislators," Sen. Morigeau said, emphasizing the program would not be mandatory but would make deeper, sustained material available beyond the brief orientations legislators often receive.
Proponents included tribal and policy organizations. A Rocky Boy tribal scribe said the training would provide "important factual information pertaining to Montana tribal nations and our inherent sovereignty, treaties, federal and state policies, and partnerships." Keaton Sunchild with Western Native Voice and Imani Kindness Coleman with the Montana Budget and Policy Center urged the committee to pass the bill, saying that roughly 7 percent of Montana residents are Native American and that legislators benefit from foundational training before debating policy that affects tribal citizens.
Sen. Morigeau and staff worked with the governor's office on an amendment that narrowed administrative responsibility: instead of assigning the training to Legislative Services (which earlier fiscal analysis flagged as costly), the amended draft relies on the governor's office and the state tribal relations director. Angie Carter, legislative branch financial director, told the committee the fiscal note posted with the original draft was for the pre-amendment version; after the amendment the governor's office indicated no fiscal note for the revised placement.
Supporters said the training and handbook updates would improve legislative deliberations on topics such as criminal jurisdiction, wildlife management and invasive-species work where tribes and the state interact. No vote was taken; the bill was heard and proponents urged a "do pass" recommendation.
