[{"_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",6116602,"mediaKeyId","2732652-009c4e3abd83385b393bc09bbb8527e1","parentId",2732652,"title","Bill to shift school-election filing and ordering windows prompts discussion about resolution timing and trustee-term clarity","audioSeconds",809,"startMs",3998000,"endMs",4807000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2732652-009c4e3abd83385b393bc09bbb8527e1&start=3998&end=4807","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2732652-009c4e3abd83385b393bc09bbb8527e1/thumbnail_3998000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6116602/Montana/Bill-to-shift-school-election-filing-and-ordering-windows-prompts-discussion-about-resolution-timing-and-trustee-term-clarity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116602-18bab4be79f9d33bb16f304360bff1f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001131&Signature=i81VzdBB9YQCeyQhdNJqMBbne8Yye3TOh65dI0~qhVQkxrRhozUd7eoVSc92Ehiofx8t2~d~p~SmGCnl8v10LdGAC5LtY~EED09agkqDPS~4g82GEJ8W2IaU1RQgNoFb7kZe5XSIHtpJJPtLwIdeTJpBuCnIMT9jl5V2ME5HualRivHrSyJcP-MUeVnYjwIfGUmt73-sMzqLZ1UBcG5WBqIFvpfl5xD~0jfh00EbcsPp9uzF1w7dTiz~xm2ObRAguxj7fdnXFVwfkVwpE50xYp~saaPhc7aFHATRWPNzvNbKY1R4kUDqcip8rLYlahvnSalWwXLUbwPrpDGV-5inZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-21T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Carrie Seegens Crowe presented House Bill 406 on behalf of Representative Fiona Nave, describing the measure as a targeted adjustment to pre-election calendar windows for school elections and special school-district elections. The bill would adjust candidate filing and resolution deadlines, move certain calling/amendment windows and change ballot-certification timelines so election administrators have more lead time when preparing ballots.

Sponsor presentation: The sponsor described the bill as a practical cleanup requested by county clerks and recorders who run school elections. Key elements cited by the sponsor include allowing candidate declarations no later than 5 p.m. on the 65th day before the election; permitting the calling of school elections no sooner than 145 days and no later than 85 days before a regular school election; allowing trustees or other entities to amend the resolution until 70 days prior to a regular election; and requiring a 70-day lead for calling certain special elections.

Supporters from county elections offices said the bill gives clerks significantly more time to prepare and print ballots. Regina Plettenberg, Ravalli County election administrator representing the Montana Association of Clerk and Recorders, and Connor Fitzpatrick, Lewis and Clark County elections division supervisor, described tight current timelines that force last-minute printing and overtime. Fitzpatrick said the change would give printers adequate proofing time and reduce overtime and rush costs.

Opposition and concern: Nicole Thuot, who described herself as a pro-opponent (supporting the bill’s goals but opposing a specific amendment), urged removing a committee amendment that had been added in executive action. Thuot explained that trustee elections can include a mix of trustee-term lengths, outlying representative seats and appointed-to-fill vacancies; she warned that a late resolution and the amended language could leave insufficient time to correct or clarify ambiguous resolutions that define which specific trustee terms are up for election. Thuot requested reverting to language that required the initial resolution before candidate filing opens, with the ability to amend later, to give county officials time to spot and fix term-description errors.

Committee deliberations noted the parties’ long-running work to align school and county election processes. Several members asked the sponsor and stakeholders to continue the conversation and pledged to work toward a clear, implementable amendment. The vice chair offered to cosponsor and carry an amendment removing the disputed executive-action change so the bill language better reflects the shared operational needs of counties and school districts.

The committee closed the hearing and did not immediately adopt a final amendment on the floor; members urged continued negotiation on the amendment language before moving the bill forward.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate State Administration - Friday, Mar 21, 2025 14:58 - 16:43","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 406 would shift several filing, resolution and ballot-certification windows for school elections; county election officials testified the change would reduce rushed printing and staff overtime, while school-election stakeholders urged clearer timing for trustee-term resolution language.","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},6116607,"Committee hears supporters say emergency door-lock devices help shelter-in-place response; bill would create limited exception in fire code",219,2998000,3217000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2732652-009c4e3abd83385b393bc09bbb8527e1&start=2998&end=3217","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2732652-009c4e3abd83385b393bc09bbb8527e1/thumbnail_2998000.jpg","/articles/6116607/Montana/Committee-hears-supporters-say-emergency-door-lock-devices-help-shelter-in-place-response-bill-would-create-limited-exception-in-fire-code","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116607-0faa3a6e3dc7782508425f4218a291e6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001131&Signature=VaCS6dtvtcIsqSFKzeeKY4AXWvIz9T5fQX7eOCBkovZJX7sNns1O1Mja7qc98IdWKbQ1HfvTMknGvAg4~ANWlr1DWVJLQ~xVxLcCLKaSHfHS7uPy6N1SfUsyd472cIwsRSLLQzmby3UxyJbN2E6h0YaZOmCUxQK24igxyga95hmtBUXAyjo1tXDFNtLyhF~Dm62aUAPZlxK9DSinwWkleFpGU3OEEXJz6PnnnKVWU7SvMACa1W0pTK6yklyG~-MvbAswxKEvSCeJY~M8ZTToc6jQJwTAThQ1BsiLcQWwWFu3FlogQaAkxW0xg8N8YWH8cyJ6uvHSgxYwfL4nIwHABg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Amy Regier (House District 6) presented House Bill 651, which would create a limited exception in the state fire code to allow certain supplemental emergency door locks for use during shelter-in-place emergencies such as active-shooter events.

“House Bill 651 allows the use of certain door lock devices during emergency situations while doing so in a way that respects the need of emergency personnel to gain entry into the building and the people within it,” Rep. Amy Regier told the committee.

Proponents included manufacturers and public-safety organizations. Shelby DeMars, representing Nightlock, described product criteria written into the bill and said devices would be for emergency use only, must allow egress from the inside without a key, and must not interfere with existing fire-exit hardware; the bill requires approval by the local fire department, law enforcement agency or code official before use in a building. Dan Smith, executive director of the Montana Police Protective Association and a former longtime police officer, said, “the longer we can keep the bad guy out in the hall and not in the rooms, the better,” and the association recommended a do-pass. Carter Marsh of the Montana Professional Firefighters said firefighters train on rescue task force responses and that keys or other access methods would allow emergency responders to enter secured rooms.

Several witnesses described how the devices are intended to be deployed: a bracket mounted to the door/frame and a removable locking bar that can be engaged from inside a room; responders would have keyed or mechanized means to remove the device. Committee members asked about per-door costs and deployment logistics; proponents estimated Nightlock-branded devices in a low-dollar-per-unit range for the mechanical product component, with a broader range depending on product type and installation.

No opponents testified in person or online. An informational witness from the state—Steve Biamonte, director of security for the Capitol Complex—attended and offered to answer questions about the capital’s security needs. Representative Regier closed by asking the committee to give the bill a do-pass.

The committee record shows broad support from law enforcement, firefighters, rural-education representatives and manufacturers, and no in-room opposition at the hearing.","House Bill 651 would create a narrow exception in the fire code allowing supplemental emergency door lock devices for shelter-in-place events if local authorities approve. Law enforcement, firefighters, school and security officials testified in support; no opponents testified in committee.",{"_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},6116612,"Committee considers amendment to move COPP candidate-certification deadline earlier for municipal races",182,2582000,2764000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2732652-009c4e3abd83385b393bc09bbb8527e1&start=2582&end=2764","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2732652-009c4e3abd83385b393bc09bbb8527e1/thumbnail_2582000.jpg","/articles/6116612/Montana/Committee-considers-amendment-to-move-COPP-candidate-certification-deadline-earlier-for-municipal-races","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116612-30de6bd8d43772b6887ef79d543ff7ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001131&Signature=aNbcMApq0GC21WsXB0NvE6meO8a5DtJ1zB0e7H5B0oQvY6w1ss~pwmVFcI1i5vtPzE1vSl7cUl9d7WyLsqhYrLdYz5Ko2uVBw~3FgorE9U2vjQF6lm4y60QVTN9Ih5F~Je4vdTtLAF1Sv4hIrS7wQCtgfUqS~aAptWQW5R2Xeryasr8t80xsS1J6NRYoBMt4uzPfBd6EH7VkrdotIomKvUkl5PZrLVADCnYx4U0pdDWiW9wcy~uIRWpWUMq7ISrwszj7yASAH3f54GYTo4CWnD0Mk-IO1SlOy8ec93I4ShKXdysKV2tCQEJ5O1F-k71yC0WDxUP0XBwRbXsN62EsaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Julie Darling (House District 84) presented a bill the committee identified as House Bill 455 to change the Commissioner of Political Practices (COPP) certification deadline for municipal candidates. The sponsor asked the committee to adopt an amendment that moves the COPP certification/notification date so local election offices receive certifications earlier.

“...we changed it to municipal general election and then provide notification no later than 5 days after the candidate filing date,” Representative Julie Darling told the committee while introducing the amendment and asking the committee to consider it in executive action.

County elections supervisors and county clerks who administer ballots described practical problems with the previously proposed certification date. Connor Fitzpatrick, Lewis and Clark County elections division supervisor, said large counties — Gallatin among them — had warned that a September 30 certification date was too late to allow for ballot printing and mailing. Fitzpatrick recommended moving the certification date earlier (the amendment shifted the target from about September 30 to September 24) so counties have the time necessary to finalize ballots and avoid reprints.

Kim Truejill and Deborah Belford from the Commissioner of Political Practices’ office attended as informational witnesses and made staff available for questions. No opponents testified in person or online during the committee hearing. Representative Darling closed by asking the committee to concur in the bill with the proposed amendment.

The committee recording shows proponents from county elections offices and the COPP staff supporting the amendment as a practical measure to synchronize municipal candidate certification with local ballot-printing schedules. The committee closed the hearing with the sponsor’s request for concurrence with the amendment.","Representative Julie Darling and county elections officials asked the committee to adopt an amendment moving the Commissioner of Political Practices’ municipal candidate-certification date earlier to allow counties time to print ballots; supporters including county election supervisors urged concurrence with the sponsor amendment.",{"_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},6116615,"Senate State Administration committee quickly concurs with four election, retirement and administrative bills",73,349000,422000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2732652-009c4e3abd83385b393bc09bbb8527e1&start=349&end=422","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2732652-009c4e3abd83385b393bc09bbb8527e1/thumbnail_349000.jpg","/articles/6116615/Montana/Senate-State-Administration-committee-quickly-concurs-with-four-election-retirement-and-administrative-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116615-15d4672b7e585ef62922e3f1192388de/orig.mp4?Expires=1771001131&Signature=OD~UJycBs1pZ-tTPURbFKQI2kN1dhdNCOnSf28hmI4SpGSd7fRzb81pynVdMM-~tHksszi-w~SqdSZzvyehxj7eTlbERozUuAEwB9dL7spvxaW2zZySjI-YvF23xIxwwl9JkTVYXXtE~gLl~OLWvTlLaNRKIJYI3HXrV3LfYDsVdGoyBGdpYypSSAg-bD-WPvce8sX2YhZtUERhSEjAYH1cVOHqR~8KjSRxfb9XQAT4nNUKjK6jOznB1OLBhobax-aFfmi6xmUPqyEkyzzc9-m2553IL8TX88uvB4MhnBW8ooD1R0zXE9KOfDBaitLDNH5V46p9e68TzoKVY~VdpSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montana Senate State Administration Committee on the afternoon of the 20th took executive action and concurred in four House bills that the committee described as procedural or clarifying in nature.

Committee members voted to concur in House Bill 193, House Bill 67, House Bill 248 and House Bill 293. Committee staff provided brief summaries before voice or roll-call votes. Three bills passed by unanimous voice vote; House Bill 293 passed on roll call with one recorded “no.”

House Bill 193 was moved for concurrence by the vice chair and passed unanimously by voice vote after committee members described it as straightforward. No amendments were offered in committee. Committee staff recorded that there were no substantive discussion points that changed the bill text before the vote.

House Bill 67, described by committee staff as a broad technical revision affecting the Teachers’ Retirement System, “clarif[ies] the reporting duties of employers, clarif[ies] elective membership deferral for certain positions, clarif[ies] active membership and dormant member status, clarif[ies] the purchase of deferred elective service, revises mandatory distribution provisions to conform with federal law, and clarif[ies] disability retirement allowance calculations,” passed by unanimous voice vote.

House Bill 248, described briefly by staff as changes to election registration cancellation law, also passed by unanimous voice vote.

House Bill 293, described as revisions to law requiring appointed election administrators to report to a county governing body, drew more discussion. One senator announced he would vote no; a subsequent roll-call recorded a majority in favor and one no. The committee delegated carrying responsibilities for the bill to a senator who volunteered to carry it to the Senate floor.

Votes at a glance
- House Bill 193 — Motion to concur moved by vice chair (as recorded in committee); passed by unanimous voice vote (committee recorded as unanimous). No amendments. Outcome: concurred/approved.
- House Bill 67 — Described by staff as technical revisions to the Teachers’ Retirement System; no amendments; passed by unanimous voice vote. Outcome: concurred/approved.
- House Bill 248 — Described by staff as revisions to election registration cancellation procedures; no amendments; passed by unanimous voice vote. Outcome: concurred/approved.
- House Bill 293 — Revision requiring appointed election administrators to report to county governing bodies; drew committee discussion about the relationship between elected clerks and appointed administrators; vote passed on roll call with one recorded no. Outcome: concurred/approved.

Committee staff handled the bill explanations and confirmed which bills had no amendments. Several members who spoke during discussion emphasized the need to preserve lines of accountability in election administration when appointment powers are used. The committee took the executive actions early in its scheduled meeting, citing floor activity in the House that shifted timelines earlier in the afternoon.

The committee did not record detailed roll-call tallies for the three voice-vote bills in the hearing record; the committee announced when a bill passed unanimously and recorded a roll-call for House Bill 293.","In executive action the Senate State Administration Committee concurred with four bills — House Bills 193, 67, 248 and 293 — advancing each to the full Senate. Three passed by voice vote as described in committee; one drew a recorded no vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill to shift school-election filing and ordering windows prompts discussion about resolution timing and trustee-term clarity

Committee hears supporters say emergency door-lock devices help shelter-in-place response; bill would create limited exception in fire code

Committee considers amendment to move COPP candidate-certification deadline earlier for municipal races

Senate State Administration committee quickly concurs with four election, retirement and administrative bills