The Montana Legislature convened on March 15, 2025, for a Senate Ethics Committee meeting, focusing on discussions surrounding potential conflicts of interest and the qualifications of individuals involved in state contracts. The meeting featured a detailed examination of communications and relationships between former President Senator Ellsworth and a contractor, Agile Analytics.

The session began with a presentation from a representative of Agile Analytics, who outlined their extensive experience in communications and management. The representative emphasized their qualifications for the position, citing a history of overseeing large operations and engaging with various stakeholders, including government entities.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to addressing concerns raised about the relationship between the contractor and Senator Ellsworth. Committee members questioned the representative about their involvement in a federal court case related to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and how it might relate to the awarding of the Agile Analytics contract. The representative firmly denied any wrongdoing, stating that the case was settled without any findings of misconduct and characterized the inquiries as attempts to discredit them.

The discussion further clarified that while there was a professional and personal relationship between the contractor and Senator Ellsworth, it did not constitute a conflict of interest regarding the contract award. The representative asserted that there were no personal benefits exchanged that would necessitate disclosure, reinforcing their stance on the integrity of the contracting process.

As the meeting concluded, the committee members acknowledged the importance of transparency in government contracts and the need for clear guidelines on disclosures. The discussions highlighted the ongoing efforts to uphold ethical standards within the Montana Senate, ensuring that all relationships and contracts are scrutinized to maintain public trust. The committee plans to continue reviewing policies related to ethics and conflicts of interest in future sessions.