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Bill would realign appointment districts to match 2021 redistricting map
Summary
Representative Lynn Bennett said HB 279 updates statutes that set appointment districts for several boards so the Western and Eastern appointment districts reflect 2021 redistricting; Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras supported the change and emphasized it would not unseat current members.
Representative Lynn Bennett presented House Bill 279, which would update the statutory districts used to appoint members to boards such as the Board of Public Education, Board of Regents, Coal Board, and Hard Rock Mining Board to match the 2021 redistricting map. Bennett said the current statutory districts—established by code—now leave District 1 underrepresented (about 54% of the state's population per 2020 Census figures cited) and District 2 overrepresented; HB 279 would align the appointment districts to current maps and include a transition clause so seated members would not be displaced.
Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras testified for the governor’s office in support, describing the bill as red-tape relief and explaining a small change (keeping all of Ponderay County in District 2) was intended to avoid administrative confusion for appointment staff. She said the shift would apply only to future appointments and would not remove currently seated members.
Committee members asked about potential county impacts (e.g., Glacier County) and whether it would be simpler to reference district lines rather than counties to avoid future amendments after redistricting; the lieutenant governor said either approach could be accommodated through amendment but the chosen approach seeks stability amid possible future redistricting.
Bennett closed urging support so membership on the affected boards more evenly reflects Montana’s population. The hearing closed on HB 279 with proponents present and no opponents recorded.
