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Senate committee report adopted; multiple bills concurred or passed on second reading
Summary
The Senate adopted a committee-of-the-whole report and voted to concur in or pass a long list of bills on April 1, including House Bill 292 (anti-SLAPP) and a package of confirmations and finance-related measures.
The Montana Senate adopted the committee-of-the-whole report and recorded a series of votes on April 1, recommending passage or concurrence for multiple bills and confirming dozens of gubernatorial nominations.
Notable floor actions included the concurrence of House Bill 292 (the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act, an anti-SLAPP measure) by a committee tally of 49-1 on second reading; the concurrence of House Bill 117 (criminal justice data warehouse priorities) by 48-2; and confirmation votes on multiple Senate Resolutions (SR19, SR26, SR31, SR32, SR34, SR35, SR45, SR53) to approve governor-appointed board members. The committee report adopted by the Senate listed dozens of bills recommended for concurrence and passage; the Senate adopted that report by voice/record (49-0 reported where noted).
Sponsors outlined policy rationales on the floor. Senator Mansella described HB292 as safeguarding Montanans from meritless lawsuits that chill public participation. Senator Usher said HB117 would fund software development, project management staff and $500,000 to begin integrating courts into a criminal justice data warehouse to improve data-driven policymaking. Several property-tax, broadband, veteran-assistance and environmental bills also passed second reading.
The committee report and the subsequent third-reading actions reflect a heavy workload as committees and the full Senate push toward legislative deadlines. The Senate recorded passage of numerous house bills on third reading later in the day and adjourned until April 2.
Votes at a glance (selected items): - House Bill 292 (Uniform Public Expression Protection Act): second reading concurrence reported 49-1; concurred in. - House Bill 117 (Criminal justice data warehouse priorities): concurrence reported 48-2; concurred in. - House Bill 127 (Fire suppression account reporting/appropriations technical change): concurrence reported 35-15; concurred in. - House Bill 250 (Out-of-district attendance cleanup): concurrence reported 47-0. - House Bill 392 (Child Digital Protection Act): concurrence reported 46-4. - Senate Bill 327 (motor vehicle fee technical bill): passed second reading 50-0. - Senate Bill 339 (oil and gas tax redistribution for well plugging): passed second reading 50-0. - Senate Bill 424 (Disabled Veteran Property Tax Assistance expansion): passed second reading 50-0.
The Clerk recorded formal tallies for many floor actions; the full list of committee recommendations and third-reading outcomes will appear in the Senate journal.
