Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Committee Procedure Energy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Energy committee authorizes open‑title committee bill request ahead of NextEra hearing
Summary
Committee voted to request a generally revised energy‑laws committee bill to give the panel a vehicle if issues arise during a NextEra hearing on proposed Eastern Montana wind projects. The motion passed by voice vote; members said a committee bill signals strong committee buy‑in and sets a higher internal approval threshold.
Senators on the Energy Committee voted Feb. 18 to request an open‑title, generally revised energy‑laws committee bill so the committee would have a legislative vehicle if policy issues emerge from a scheduled hearing with NextEra on proposed Eastern Montana wind projects.
Senator Wagner moved the request, saying the committee may want a vehicle available after the hearing. Senator Bogner and others explained that making the request places the issue in a committee context and requires a later supermajority vote to add policy language, which provides broader buy‑in.
Senator Pope said he supported the motion because it gives the committee an opportunity to act together if the hearing warrants policy changes and noted the three‑quarters threshold is a “nice high hurdle” for committee consensus. After brief discussion, the committee approved the motion by voice vote; senators voting in favor answered “aye.”
Committee staff clarified that a committee bill shows a strong committee commitment, meets procedural deadlines and can be used if a policy response is needed after the NextEra informational hearing, which the committee scheduled for an upcoming Tuesday in Room 303.
The committee also discussed pursuing a separate committee bill to consider potential revisions to the Public Service Commission process; senators said that too should be a committee effort requiring broad support if pursued.
