Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Airline Credits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Montana sponsor seeks to make airline travel credits non‑expiring, proposes fee amendment
Summary
Sen. Daniel Zolomikov introduced Senate Bill 553 to prevent airline travel credits from expiring and proposed removing a $1 per‑ticket fee meant to fund anti‑human‑trafficking work. No public witnesses testified; committee closed the hearing after brief sponsor remarks.
Sen. Daniel Zolomikov (R‑SD22) opened the Business and Labor Committee’s hearing on Senate Bill 553, saying the bill would make airline travel credits or refunds never expire, similar to Montana’s protections for gift cards.
Zolomikov told the panel that people often receive credits that must be used within a year and described situations—weather delays or scheduling changes—where a passenger has no practical way to use that credit within 12 months. “If you buy the cheapest ticket, I have to go to the counter and show my ID… So it seems kind of anti… the lowest income people,” he said, urging the committee to consider fairness for lower‑income travelers.
The senator also identified two amendments: one would strike a $1 per‑ticket fee that, under current language, would be directed to the Department of Justice to combat human trafficking; Zolomikov said the fee “is how this bill is still alive” but expressed reluctance to add costs to airfare. At the same time he asked to rename an interim committee from “Energy and Telecom” to “Energy and Technology” to better align policy work with technology issues.
No proponents, opponents or informational witnesses appeared in the room or online during the brief hearing. The chair closed the hearing without substantive debate from others.
The committee did not take a vote and did not set a deadline or next step on SB 553 at the close of the session.
What's next: The bill’s sponsor requested a “do pass” recommendation; the committee has not yet scheduled a work session or recorded any formal action on SB 553.
