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House Energy advances cryptocurrency bill and task force; resolutions pass amid debate on task‑force membership
Summary
The committee took executive action on several items: SB 265 (Financial Freedom and Innovation Act) was concurred in (10–4); SB 3 30 (Montana Blockchain and Digital Innovation Task Force) passed as twice-amended after votes on membership and duties (final roll call 8–6); HJ 20 and HR 3 passed (14–0 and 10–4 respectively) with HR 3 amended to add advocacy to the President.
The House Energy Committee moved quickly through executive business after a brief recess, taking votes on bills and resolutions.
SB 265, described to the committee as the Financial Freedom and Innovation Act revising cryptocurrency laws and addressing network tokens, was moved to concur and passed on a roll-call vote reported as 10 ayes and 4 noes. Representative Carter was named as the floor carrier.
Senate Bill 3 30 — creating a Montana Blockchain and Digital Innovation Task Force — underwent multiple amendments and debate. An amendment (0002.001) that increased legislative participation drew support but left some members concerned it did not ensure balance or sufficient minority representation; the committee approved that amendment (reported 13 ayes, 2 noes). Representative Zolnikov moved a conceptual amendment allocating legislative appointments between majority and minority leaders; that conceptual amendment passed by voice and was reported as 14 ayes, 0 nos. Members debated task-force duties, staffing by the Department of Administration and the meaning of "shall" in the bill's duties language. The twice-amended bill then passed on executive action by roll-call (reported 8 ayes, 6 noes) and will go to the House floor.
The committee also passed House Joint Resolution 20 (requesting the federal government increase hours at Montana–Canada customs ports of entry) by roll-call (14 ayes, 0 no). House Resolution 3, urging Montana's congressional delegation to protect Montanans' personally identifiable information, was amended to include advocacy to the President, carried the amendment, and passed as amended by roll-call (10 ayes, 4 noes).
Committee staff previewed Monday’s schedule and adjourned the session.
