Montana Senate Judiciary Committee adopts proxy rules, limits virtual amendments in organizational meeting

Senator Barry Usher, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, opened the committee's 2025 organizational meeting and moved members through introductions and administrative rules. The committee voted to accept proxies under prior precedent and set procedures to manage hearings and executive action.

The action matters because the Judiciary Committee routinely receives a high volume of bills; setting clear proxy and amendment rules affects how quickly and predictably legislation will move through hearings and executive action this session. Chair Usher said he wants to limit individual question time to keep the docket moving and to ensure members can attend floor sessions on time.

During the meeting, staff attorney Julianne Burkhart said the typical practice is for members to sign at least six proxies and to leave them with vice chairs, who manage proxies and designate caucus proxies when needed. Burkhart told the committee that her office will draft most committee amendments but that she needs 24 hours' notice to prepare them for executive action. "The primary rule with respect to amendments is that I will need the request 24 hours before you need the amendment," Burkhart said.

Senator Theresa Mansella moved that the committee "utilize the proxies in the manner that we have set into prior precedents," and the chair called a voice vote. The motion passed unanimously. The committee also agreed informally to limit virtual amendments to non-substantive, grammatical changes and to allow one deferral per bill while an amendment is still in development.

Members reviewed additional procedures for daily operations: the chair said a whiteboard listing the day's bills would be posted and that members should use a provided folder to keep bill materials; committee staff will place bill folders on members' desks each morning. The chair also announced a two-hour online sign-up window for remote witnesses and that public Zoom testimony would appear with names only (no video) to avoid disruptive or offensive backgrounds.

Lobbyists and stakeholder representatives introduced themselves during the meeting; Bruce Spencer, an attorney and Helena lobbyist, said he expects to appear frequently and offered to assist members with information. Burkhart also noted she would attend any subcommittee meetings members form and could facilitate research or connect members with subject experts.

The chair closed the meeting with logistical reminders about an early morning field trip and set the next meeting for Thursday at 9:00 a.m. Senator Andrea Olsen then moved to adjourn, and the committee adjourned. The meeting established the committee's baseline procedures for proxies, amendments and remote testimony for the 2025 session.