[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6303997,"mediaKeyId","2469377-5ad34651f82a9fcfeb801479b6b50387","parentId",2469377,"title","Committee approves bill clarifying receipt and time‑stamping of governor’s veto messages","audioSeconds",1106,"startMs",3720000,"endMs",4826000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2469377-5ad34651f82a9fcfeb801479b6b50387&start=3720&end=4826","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2469377-5ad34651f82a9fcfeb801479b6b50387/thumbnail_3720000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6303997/Montana/Committee-approves-bill-clarifying-receipt-and-timestamping-of-governors-veto-messages","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303997-08b50c3d8eabc3ad7198e2e133a8b21b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447807&Signature=hCbD2G6H5UOOlV~XJHtD-qxsufk-THHfJqITjmr7HPLguGnA4NIE7p5ccZ8jsCEkRPeNDHZEoA4sWYEoCzjpZRDaouIzo0QMdXSNB4Wh13-KH47r3a3dA-eZdeiagT0Xa9Zm8Xg1jxJlEvbNa989aK46savGK3oUp3mbv8rU6yRQ7pcqJ36-LtmmmOlMw1sYqbnkMO4rDoHnKtPZ2XGH4XeCoB5~SCrifYftKpdXtYavtgHRgMWLHo4czzegzZxPOzmvATF6xIzbcrQd62~~lsBAfql2i7bplKf8hX-0VwXwYsV5dcqt4fB00muHBZhO8mPsh68ohhLqUiyp3MJoVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-01T00:00:00Z","article","Senators passed Senate Bill 344 in executive action after discussion about a prior legal dispute over where a vetoed bill was located and how the receipt was recorded.

Sponsor Senator Hertz introduced the bill as a targeted fix to ensure that when the governor returns a bill without approval, the governor may deliver the bill and message to either the chief clerk of the House or the secretary of the Senate and that the receiving officer must time‑stamp and record the receipt. Supporters said the language would prevent the procedural confusion that led to last session’s court involvement.

Senators described the prior dispute as a legal “black hole” that generated a writ of mandamus and court orders. Senator Fuller and others said the bill would make the process clear by requiring physical delivery and an immediate time stamp so the legislature and public know when a veto was received. Legislative Services staff confirmed the proposed language would place a clear statutory duty on clerks to accept and record delivery.

The Judiciary and court procedure implications were discussed at length; several senators said the bill does not solve every possible constitutional edge case but would “come pretty darn close” to fixing the problem that produced litigation last session. The committee adopted the motion that Senate Bill 344 do pass by voice vote and will send the measure to the full Senate.

Why it matters: supporters said SB 344 would remove uncertainty about the timing and location of veto receipts and thereby reduce the chance of future lawsuits about whether the legislature received a veto in time to act.

Next steps: the committee approved the bill by voice vote and it will be placed on the Senate floor calendar for further consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Legislative Administration 2025-03-01","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 344, aimed at removing ambiguity about when and how the governor’s veto is delivered and time‑stamped, passed the committee by voice vote after senators said it would close the legal “black hole” that prompted recent litigation.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6304002,"Committee passes bill to clarify handling of governor’s veto messages",3894,8000,3902000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2469377-5ad34651f82a9fcfeb801479b6b50387&start=8&end=3902","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2469377-5ad34651f82a9fcfeb801479b6b50387/thumbnail_8000.jpg","/articles/6304002/Montana/Committee-passes-bill-to-clarify-handling-of-governors-veto-messages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304002-857a95b8a373716cc7a266accdeda738/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447807&Signature=C0Eqlh0IqsaxHD1F6fMbbk4o6QK0A56tkvUwB4q1a4NY4FfsIzxedH22HIHo6g8r-pRBwS2TulmIlm6gSrG3S~LxEukJyV9s1myIJhCaBzqGlZ5WFeJqbqwrRDYKtShO6zc1WtOmsVjX1arnMb7LF3eF~E779UeK6ZUap~55gafEl2T4HFNOiihLjKbHHnp8xABL0g3Cm1TIqizp2QKFrTqDje5bfnWR1jIaKZkfK7kIa1Ue~K2BRdTGcEapuAyE4jfPUYSdelsKa-9u0wmv75ZjL65MHlzhuU7G7kACPJMcVw85eNBlYburea5fz4iw43jMJPpuSmQxfNYuQSwjyw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Legislative Administration Committee approved Senate Bill 408 after the sponsor described it as a proactive fix to clarify how the legislature records governor vetoes and related documents.

Senator Daniel Zolikoff, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure aims to open up internal processes and “open up the governor’s veto” with clearer transparency in decision‑making. Zolikoff said he expects courts to require greater openness and preferred the legislature put rules in place “our way.” He asked the committee to hold the bill initially to resolve technical issues and to designate it a revenue bill so costs could be estimated; the committee later moved the bill forward in executive action.

A representative for the Montana Broadcasters Association, Miss Wiggers, told the committee that broadcasters supported the bill but asked it be made a revenue bill so costs of providing public files and records could be accounted for. Wiggers noted that in the past people could access public files by visiting an office in person; new processes might change that access model and create costs.

During executive action a motion that Senate Bill 408 “do pass” was adopted by voice vote; the transcript records a proxy vote (Senator Zolokov recorded as ‘aye’ by proxy). The committee chair said the bill will move to the floor.

Why it matters: the sponsor framed SB 408 as a transparency measure that would reduce legal uncertainty about how veto messages and internal legislative documents are handled. Supporters emphasized public access; staff and proponents asked for a cost estimate and statutory clarity on implementation before final adoption.

Next steps: SB 408 passed the committee by voice vote and will be referred to the full Senate for further consideration.","Senate Bill 408, sponsored by Senator Daniel Zolikoff, was approved in committee. The sponsor described it as a proactive measure to align legislative practice with anticipated court rulings and to increase transparency in handling veto messages.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6304007,"Committee tables bill that would let legislators use alternate email addresses for public business",1459,2357000,3816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2469377-5ad34651f82a9fcfeb801479b6b50387&start=2357&end=3816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2469377-5ad34651f82a9fcfeb801479b6b50387/thumbnail_2357000.jpg","/articles/6304007/Montana/Committee-tables-bill-that-would-let-legislators-use-alternate-email-addresses-for-public-business","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304007-e2536808725135dc2fdd2663b07f352d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447807&Signature=LBh-L3pG1sT-9i1xK3NbgEbSvQXfSOxXOfuCmK4DdFLp2Qfo8r-c8Gnx9Ozp277x7gTbYoceTmNWHj~nF6XXd1dYeFzxAR4A~2pPeXdo~YE9TlccgaMD5f5DRtUWEEmdaODxl81KWP7vt-L7qoBRbwjG0r-2zbA~5703h~rhdfQTdaAWyfYZueSnTSoR6QBKdTzZ8SCRsec7veF7rHggzw3nsur3VOKvXVbSJ7D2~vk7UvSMbEgT0j25~iBpMn60s1HoBMTf-c3OwNckPmJEawXz9ZmA3ICn~Pvz57G1qcR7ednEORacT~1lSeZl9iyqTdl0lM1VwahaD--PY3uWbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 506 drew committee scrutiny over security, archiving and operational costs before the panel voted to table the measure.

Sponsor Senator Morgeau said the bill would let legislators designate a separate, non‑legislative email address for official business while making clear that records received at that address remain subject to Montana’s public‑records requirements. “It’s an option to afford people who want to consolidate and use one,” Morgeau said, describing his campaign/business email as an account he uses for legislative correspondence and saying he had no objection to that account being treated as public record.

Technical staff raised concerns about the bill’s immediate effective date and the cost of changing enterprise systems. Sky Foster, acting chief information officer for the legislative branch, said the branch builds IT systems on the presumption that legislators use official mt.gov email accounts and that reworking those systems would be “quite costly” and time consuming. Foster also noted security policy disallows automatic forwarding of legislative email because forwarding can create spoofing and blacklist risks.

Angie Carter, financial services manager, appeared as an informational witness; staff explained that legislator accounts are created automatically on election day but are not strictly required to be used. Committee members repeatedly cited the archival value of staff‑maintained mt.gov accounts — one senator said an available archive had been “incredibly valuable” for responding to records requests.

During executive action a senator moved SB 506 do pass, and another senator offered a substitute motion to table. The committee approved the substitute motion to table by voice vote; the transcript records at least one proxy vote (Senator Zolokov recorded as “aye” by proxy). No floor referral was ordered; the bill remains tabled in committee.

Why it matters: proponents argued the bill would let some legislators consolidate outreach and make recordkeeping easier for them; staff warned the change could undermine security, archiving and established workflows for public records requests.

Next steps: SB 506 was tabled in executive action; staff recommended additional technical work and a review of security, archiving and enterprise messaging dependencies before the committee take further action.","Senate Bill 506, which would permit legislators to designate non‑.mt.gov email accounts for legislative correspondence subject to public‑records rules, drew technical and security concerns from IT staff and was tabled in executive action.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6304012,"Senate advances bill to restore optional tribal‑state relations training for legislators",1902,412000,2314000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2469377-5ad34651f82a9fcfeb801479b6b50387&start=412&end=2314","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2469377-5ad34651f82a9fcfeb801479b6b50387/thumbnail_412000.jpg","/articles/6304012/Montana/Senate-advances-bill-to-restore-optional-tribalstate-relations-training-for-legislators","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6304012-9c922d2995cf64eb6c7482ede50bfe0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447807&Signature=Q0bBVLv7opEpSuDkTonHkH6KmWs1SdwiQMvV2QaxnfxdhvBSh~bKisl8~lTFBtT96boy5-HbxIgYrGZaNzG~qGB-JpgXrzkRidPv3cSOwAJB1ni8GMCjojEhy0p8nh2CYEkbB1bD9HTMw9JjGnpzC4E7ac2xvZp63JpF~qg7QpcJKuUYG-T9v7wXU1YeBqda3klXieRVZG65R5oDxNkpnmzGsF~5mNOZCT5HFMBI7ffUeOrySxP-7rVv3FsZLxwYj1VW8HMUrTnNPfGoKVfPvcAbTDO5rfW8fKRfYUAk3RbfKND1QR2gFD0MgAhZDrdWFNtfBJhBHb9eySGGyqM3fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators heard extensive testimony on Senate Bill 311 on the measure that would add “state‑tribal relations” to the optional training Legislative Services may provide to legislators.

The bill’s sponsor, Senator Morgeau, said the change is simple and voluntary: it would require that legislative orientation materials include an option for training about Montana’s tribal nations, treaties and government‑to‑government relationships. “It’s just to build a really simple ensure this happens,” Morgeau said in his opening remarks, adding that attendance would be voluntary.

Supporters told the committee the training would give legislators baseline facts ahead of drafting and debate. Patrick Yawake, who testified on behalf of the Blackfeet Tribe, the Fort Belknap Indian Community and Rocky Boy, said SB 311 would provide “factual information pertaining to Montana tribal nations and our inherent sovereignty” and help avoid costly lawsuits. “Having this knowledge prior to debate would save on real taxpayer dollars that go to lawsuits that could have been prevented with the education,” Yawake said.

Legislative staff described how the program would be delivered. Joel Howe of the Legislative Services Division said his office already coordinates many orientation sessions and could make tribal relations training “readily available,” while continuing to invite outside experts when specialized legal or cultural expertise is required.

Several senators asked whether the proposed training could move beyond neutral, factual instruction into advocacy. Senator Emmerich warned that voluntary training can become de facto required and expressed concern about staff being asked to present “social, economic and cultural issues” in a way that could be seen as partisan. Senator Dunwell and others pressed proponents on how the training would reach both reservation and urban tribal members and on whether it would address statewide impacts of legislation. Senator Fuller and other supporters countered that the intent is informational not advocacy, and that existing handbooks and university Indian law resources would provide neutral content.

The sponsor repeatedly offered to narrow the bill if that would reassure colleagues, including removing contested subsections and leaving a single line in statute that training may include state‑tribal relations. Morgeau asked to hold the bill until Monday to consult with the Director of Indian Affairs and Legislative Services about implementation details.

The hearing record contains multiple suggestions for amendments — including dropping a subsection described as advocacy or limiting the statutory language to require only that legislative training may include tribal relations — but the committee did not take final action on the measure during this session.

Why it matters: proponents argued the training would reduce legal risk, improve lawmakers’ understanding of tribal governments in Montana and strengthen government‑to‑government relationships. Opponents cautioned that statutory language should not require staff to present material that could be perceived as advocacy and urged tighter drafting or removal of specific subsections.

Next steps: the sponsor asked to hold the bill temporarily to discuss language and operational details with the Director of Indian Affairs and Legislative Services.","Lawmakers heard hours of testimony on Senate Bill 311, which would direct Legislative Services to include optional tribal‑state relations training for legislators; proponents said it would reduce legal disputes and improve policymaking, while some senators urged narrowing the language to avoid perceived advocacy.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves bill clarifying receipt and time‑stamping of governor’s veto messages

Committee passes bill to clarify handling of governor’s veto messages

Committee tables bill that would let legislators use alternate email addresses for public business

Senate advances bill to restore optional tribal‑state relations training for legislators