Committee hears routine update to let Montana adopt the latest federal military rules

Representative Pete Elverum, sponsor of House Bill 66, told the House State Administration Committee that the measure would update statutory references to allow Montana to adopt the most current federal military laws and regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice as of 2025. "This is a necessary change that we make each session," Elverum said, asking the committee for a do pass.

Major General J. Peter Hronek, adjutant general and director of the Department of Military Affairs, described HB 66 as a recurring housekeeping bill that amends section 10‑1‑104 of the Montana Code to allow the Montana National Guard to use the most current applicable federal military laws and regulations. He said the statute is written to adopt only federal laws and regulations consistent with the Montana Constitution, other Montana laws and department rules, and recommended the committee give the bill a due pass. Lieutenant Colonel Todd Wayne and Janae Grotable of Department of Military Affairs staff were available to answer questions.

There was no fiscal note reported and no opponents appeared in person or online. With proponents from the National Guard and veterans organizations emphasizing continuity for service members and administrative clarity, the committee closed the hearing on HB 66 and moved to other agenda items.

The hearing record lists HB 66 as requested by the Department of Military Affairs; no formal vote on HB 66 was recorded in the transcript excerpted here.

The committee’s next step would be the bill’s placement for executive action; the hearing concluded with proponents’ and informational witnesses’ availability for follow‑up questions.