Bill would allow certain Montana criminal investigators and fire marshals to take work vehicles home

Representative Morgan Thiel (House District 30) introduced House Bill 679, which would add specific classes of employees to the list of officials permitted to take department vehicles home for work-related response duties, including fire marshals and agents assigned to narcotics and major-case teams.

Lee Johnson, administrator of the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), testified in support and described the operational need: "These are violent crimes, homicides, officer involved shootings ... our narcotics teams ... and our deputy fire marshals ... do arson investigations on a regular basis," Johnson said, arguing that quick response and preparedness are central to public safety.

John Kaleczyc, a DCI agent and local union president, supported the bill but urged an amendment to broaden eligibility so the agency administrator has flexibility to assign eligible agents as needs change. Kaleczyc described scenarios such as rising computer-crimes or sextortion cases that could require prompt overnight response and argued the current draft could limit departmental flexibility.

Committee members asked about the number of vehicles and fiscal impact. Johnson said about 60 vehicles are currently used under similar provisions ("33 in narcotics, approximately 13 in major case") and estimated the proposal would add roughly 15–17 additional vehicles if the committee adopts the union's broader amendment. Johnson and others noted that vehicle use is part of an employee—s compensation package and that fuel and maintenance are included.

Proponents urged a do-pass recommendation; no opponents spoke at the hearing and committee members requested follow-up information on callout frequency and data to justify how eligibility categories were chosen.

Ending: The hearing closed without a committee vote; proponents asked the committee to pass the bill with or without the suggested amendment.