Montana Senate approves a package of House bills; committee of the whole concurs on multiple measures

The Montana Senate on the floor on Monday approved a package of House bills on third reading and, in committee of the whole, recommended concurrence on several additional measures while indefinitely postponing one controversial proposal.

The most consequential Senate floor votes included House Bill 146 (revising hunting license law) which passed 40-10; House Bill 157 (responsible server and sales training) which passed 49-1; House Bill 196 (digital ID certification laws) which passed 48-2; House Bill 214 (federal immigration detention-related provision) which passed 32-18; House Bill 215 (state appointment-related revisions) which passed 33-17; House Bill 249 (digital identifications and alcohol/tobacco/marijuana laws) which passed 46-4; and House Bill 257 (critical infrastructure protection) which passed 49-1.

In committee of the whole on second reading, senators recommended concurrence in House Bill 53 (allowing troop labor to execute certain public projects under constrained circumstances), House Bill 77 (revising child abuse and neglect investigation authorities), House Bill 88 (changes to return of unclaimed property), House Bill 91 (allowing the Department of Revenue to send electronic communications with taxpayer permission), and House Bill 120 (updating the definition of multifamily housing for…