Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Committee Actions topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances SB 555 and HB 502, confirms multiple board appointments; tables SB 556
Summary
The Senate Business, Labor and Economic Affairs Committee confirmed several governor appointees to professional licensing boards, advanced SB 555 (online gambling enforcement) and HB 502 (allied health board consolidation), and tabled SB 556 after a failed roll-call vote.
In a full morning docket, the committee considered multiple bills and dozens of governor appointments. Key outcomes:
- SB 555 (online gambling): Committee adopted an amendment removing cryptocurrency references and passed the bill as amended to the Senate floor. Supporters said the measure targets offshore, unlicensed platforms and protects licensed Montana businesses; DOJ asked for clarified language to avoid erroneously criminalizing cryptocurrency use.
- HB 502 (allied health licensing): Committee voted HB 502 do-pass; the bill consolidates three low-volume licensing boards into a single seven-member Board of Allied Health Professionals and preserves discipline and practice standards.
- SB 556 (ropeway safety): Sponsor Sen. Willis Curdy’s bill to re-establish a Ropeway Safety board failed a 5–6 roll-call do-pass vote and was then tabled. The hearing included debate over jurisdiction, insurance inspection practices, and technical language that the Department of Administration flagged for removal related to independent contractors and sovereign-immunity-like protections.
- Appointments: The committee confirmed numerous governor appointees by voice vote across boards including the Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors (SR 28), State Electrical Board (SR 41), Board of Realty Regulation (SR 44), Board of Plumbers (SR 52) and Board of Architects and Landscape Architects (SR 8).
The committee adjourned and scheduled reconvening the next day at 8:30 a.m. to continue governor appointments and executive action.
