[{"_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",6621330,"mediaKeyId","2803074-a189ef24cf616e92d43165bd6af426e7","parentId",2803074,"title","Votes at a glance: Summary of bills and roll-call outcomes, Montana Senate, March 27","audioSeconds",819,"startMs",6388000,"endMs",7207000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803074-a189ef24cf616e92d43165bd6af426e7&start=6388&end=7207","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803074-a189ef24cf616e92d43165bd6af426e7/thumbnail_6388000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6621330/Montana/Votes-at-a-glance-Summary-of-bills-and-roll-call-outcomes-Montana-Senate-March-27","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621330-f2fdff8cfab57a8a9045af5bd05a2f3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916938&Signature=NZaO7PSlvul8IgAW5GfU3bV0Gd5R4pDYv2EM7-mx~GsU9LaEYrvIpiRW5MWeKzMMH1zpRQvhK2XIVZuQ1yAq0HpfMZzXX~TJli8edKXFpIMnIjz4N8LUd9cElOIC64ulE9E2yvnsYZ~9wx44C2lOL5zo3-DgCV2PJuU2Uh3-cnRJbjQNIK7amuJimLBCqmyuZcRwlUZn7AFASkjsbxxKV3jSeV8ECj4IT8SzxrgWgItQrEoQERQ0rH1OLlvBI~KLhveBMeTGeZ60O58WOCmgS6GBNn-0l05IhSa5GQ0K7YraUD1L3ZndH8mMIB0ENLe~XY6c8O70wyJOz-boYsUHeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-27T00:00:00Z","article","The Montana Senate recorded roll-call results on multiple bills and resolutions on March 27. Below is a concise listing of each measure, a short description (if provided on the floor), and the recorded roll-call tally from the transcript.

Votes at a glance

- Senate Bill 301 — Passed by the Senate. Vote: 50–0.
- Senate Bill 74 (marijuana-related) — Passed. Vote: 38–12.
- Senate Bill 337 (prepaid property-tax exemption for subdivision development) — Passed. Vote: 34–16.
- House Bill 48 (exempt wastewater ponds from dam safety act) — Passed. Vote: 45–5.
- House Bill 58 (revised distributions/mine remediation act) — Passed. Vote: 47–3.
- House Bill 59 (board of water well contractors) — Passed. Vote: 50–0.
- House Bill 135 (statute of repose for real estate appraisers) — Passed. Vote: 44–6.
- House Bill 143 (definition of treating physician; includes physician assistants) — Passed. Vote: 50–0.
- House Bill 178 (government use of AI systems) — Passed. Vote: 50–0.
- House Bill 173 (victim and youth court act revisions) — Passed. Vote: 32–18.
- House Bill 179 (election law: inactive voter status) — Passed. Vote: 50–0.
- House Bill 189 (petroleum storage tank cleanup eligibility) — Passed. Vote: 50–0.
- House Bill 219 (revised hunting laws re contests/prizes) — Passed. Vote: 31–19.

Several other bills and committee reports were read and adopted on the floor; where the transcript records a roll-call tally above, the vote is listed. If the transcript gave only a committee recommendation without a full final passage on the floor, that recommendation was noted elsewhere in floor business.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Floor Session - Mar 27, 2025 13:00 - 16:00","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate recorded votes on multiple bills March 27. This roundup lists each measure the transcript shows received a floor vote or committee recommendation and the recorded tally.","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},6621335,"Senate advances property-tax reform bill to slow growth in taxable value; bill passes committee on second reading 38–12",530,5427000,5957000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803074-a189ef24cf616e92d43165bd6af426e7&start=5427&end=5957","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803074-a189ef24cf616e92d43165bd6af426e7/thumbnail_5427000.jpg","/articles/6621335/Montana/Senate-advances-property-tax-reform-bill-to-slow-growth-in-taxable-value-bill-passes-committee-on-second-reading-3812","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621335-a2921ce96d95acf5b9bb1c544f61a64d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916938&Signature=W1jVgja4fCOERtiYVu5zQqSGglWdLWUM9xKMJJx4EP3RFQ~ge8UpE48et-~zeqMqV1ODhawh2rnb17xUmqNSdZUxyxCUot4uZ-JvUit5rJXnCF1YYFyQV996zXJPbKSTNPnvTLCbCRMsXHyBTgXGOVrV03wE7175Rht3cNXd4hA9h7KdsDeazAz-3GHToVJ~8OwHdyTdil1rC74kyxpRMrQS3DqGo1t-42z2pLmCr2nbBgsKhTJFTHSxaVugtdI-RK6C2OaQfFEN6k~nzEWnQuSdXiQn5eL2CJzdK4ZbAKWYb1Jn1SBMSxab9u3w9J66vsBGOmNpc1zPm6No8q7-NA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 117 passed on second reading in the Montana Senate by a 38–12 vote on March 27 after floor debate addressed how the bill would change property-tax calculations and provide a local reserve for large-taxpayer departures.

Senator Zollnikov, sponsor of SB 117, described the bill as a refinement to Montana’s property-tax code intended to make taxable-value growth more predictable. Zollnikov said the bill would allow jurisdictions to use the average rate of inflation for the prior three years (capped at 4%) when calculating growth rather than the current half-rate method. The sponsor said the change “smooths” increases and helps rural counties with little new development.

SB 117 would also cap the portion of newly taxable value that goes into local budgets for certain property classes (75% for class 4 property in the example given) and create an optional “large taxpayer reserve account” that local governments could fund to backfill budget shortfalls if a large taxpayer left. If a local government creates the reserve and meets deposit requirements, up to 50% of taxable revenue from newly taxable property would be allocated for tax relief; if not, a smaller share (40%) would be available.

Senator Fern praised the bill as addressing foundational property-tax reform and helping smaller, low-growth communities. Senator Pope said his growing communities face difficult fiscal tradeoffs and announced a “soft no” vote because the proposal did not pencil for fast-growth areas like Bozeman and Belgrade.

After closing remarks from the sponsor, the Senate recorded a committee recommendation to pass SB 117; the roll-call recorded 38 ayes and 12 nays.

The measure affects multiple property classes and includes targeted protections for communities that rely on mining and other large taxpayers. Sponsor remarks noted statutory citations in debate regarding abatement treatment for newly taxable values.","Senate Bill 117, a package of property-tax changes to smooth inflation adjustments and reserve new-tax revenue for existing taxpayers, passed second reading in committee 38–12 after sponsors said it would help low-growth rural counties and critics said it may harm fast-growing communities.",{"_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},6621340,"Montana Senate debates Article V call for balanced-budget convention; resolution indefinitely postponed",3621,1755000,5376000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803074-a189ef24cf616e92d43165bd6af426e7&start=1755&end=5376","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803074-a189ef24cf616e92d43165bd6af426e7/thumbnail_1755000.jpg","/articles/6621340/Montana/Montana-Senate-debates-Article-V-call-for-balanced-budget-convention-resolution-indefinitely-postponed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621340-5a2d2e8b267a233d3e43ae965ee3a97d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916938&Signature=Ctb4dvSUu3A1qyN2Y~67wRoosf82QRMbMkSgb~GwFc~uY7JCavixFVwHQY1nwjIw~HdToh83smP3NmaZwIDr87Jt7bxCEXvddm~i1b8CKZVT0vFp0xkcORehB5vGCQIdamLp14PStHVnBL0Q3B-GaCPF2-84ViGTYEUuDXHDemzWwuTPMMVE7wIU5IF6PrnXHEbmX1uY2njQ1EDkopG8qBANySe6JtzCxw1yUAIvgCORlfGcn602aFecsdwyC5sY64~i1A8S11tCYGRWGEOh1v3Tid1d8KBSAo5fI93ty~ZjdE3lq-F9FHi0tLodKrM-dxgVaYswWT-vTqD0907UDA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Joint Resolution 4, a petition asking Congress to call a constitutional convention under Article V for the purpose of proposing a balanced federal budget amendment, drew extended debate on March 27 and was indefinitely postponed by the Senate.

Senator Nolan, sponsor of the resolution, argued the measure is “the only chance the Montana legislature has to take action in the fight to prevent Congress from bankrupting America,” repeatedly citing federal debt figures and framing the resolution as a tool to pressure Congress. Nolan urged support to push for a balanced-budget amendment and said states acting together could compel congressional action.

Opponents, including Senator Phelan and Senator Hertz, warned a convention could be unlimited in scope and could open the Constitution to broader revision. Senator Phelan argued applications under Article V for a convention are not inherently limited to a single topic and warned that a convention could propose broad constitutional changes. Senator Hertz and others described longstanding state limits and noted practical obstacles, including the persistence of declared national emergencies.

Debate featured extended historical and legal argument: several senators cited the Federal Constitution’s Article V and a 2014 Congressional Research Service report on Article V conventions; others referenced national-emergency statutes and past state efforts. Sponsors suggested the resolution would provide leverage to compel Congress to act and proposed a 10-year “debt brake” to phase in adjustments.

After multiple rounds of floor remarks, the Senate recorded a vote to indefinitely postpone the resolution: 23 senators voted in favor of advancement; 27 voted against, resulting in indefinite postponement.

The floor debate included a mix of fiscal arguments (debt, interest payments, inflation) and constitutional-process concerns (scope of an Article V convention, ratification thresholds); the indefinite postponement leaves the matter dormant in the Senate.","Senate Joint Resolution 4, which would petition Congress to call an Article V convention to propose a balanced federal budget amendment, drew several hours of floor debate and was indefinitely postponed by a 23–27 vote.",{"_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},6621345,"Montana Senate concurs to extend school lead remediation funds for two years",426,993000,1419000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2803074-a189ef24cf616e92d43165bd6af426e7&start=993&end=1419","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2803074-a189ef24cf616e92d43165bd6af426e7/thumbnail_993000.jpg","/articles/6621345/Montana/Montana-Senate-concurs-to-extend-school-lead-remediation-funds-for-two-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621345-2678f3fecdaf30bc26b4dba81e76f2f0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770916938&Signature=GUVrvSIG2CXp23c706pJIt7GjvLieaFStxLI9e~JDZ5ro~5fyoKbJEYbOjt5lT3DsXd2HY7ADGebWXify7b5Z8Dctm8dLFkn~LXEKGv674ZIPN-A-d3foYo2rrITgsFC1GAwHw~8bRw9J4oXErqEdMTUwu2HW29we0473al74YBfkJEmcqchjLWu3D0Y400ewnJXYJkFo0MSQ1U72SNAzszUBxndHQoZimOaXPugYbFVuU2L0Bc2fxuGxMDz~rT7uIxRxm7RcjyXeHuILbf~TMYURc8GWIJBY7wwZw6NLgbvDou4FUuT9DWM0oOFONydh4X~l5df30qKnC7tvkH~Lg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montana Senate on March 27 concurred with House Bill 234, a measure to allow continued use of the remainder of $3,700,000 originally appropriated for a lead-in-drinking-water mitigation reimbursement program for Montana schools. The motion was offered by Senator Elsz and passed on a roll call of 48 yeas and 1 nay.

House Bill 234 would permit the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) lead mitigation reimbursement program to continue to reimburse schools for work to replace fixtures, purchase supplies and pay labor up to a maximum of $100,000 per school facility. Senator Elsz said the intent is “to allow for the continued use of the remainder of $3,700,000” for two additional years so districts can complete testing and remediation.

The bill’s sponsor told senators the program has reimbursed 36 schools to date and that about $626,000 has been spent so far. Elsz told the chamber that testing and implementation took longer than expected, and that program uptake was affected because school districts often had to spend up front and, in some districts, had to exhaust federal COVID-relief dollars first before becoming eligible for the state reimbursement.

Senator Kelly Bolden described encountering a taped drinking fountain in a Missoula elementary school hallway and urged colleagues to notify districts that the program exists. “The drinking fountain is wrapped in a garbage bag with, like, duct tape around it,” Bolden said, adding that many schools still show fixtures above the action level for lead.

Senator Vinton asked whether the item had been through Finance and Claims; Senator Lehi (chair of Finance and Claims) confirmed the bill already had that review. The sponsor closed debate before the unanimous roll call tally.

Implementation details recorded during debate: the program provides up to $100,000 per facility, 36 facilities have been reimbursed so far, and roughly $626,000 of the appropriation has been spent; the sponsor said 74% of Montana’s roughly 591 school facilities have at least one fixture that exceeded the lead action level.

The Senate’s concurrence sends the reauthorization forward for final processing so DEQ can continue reimbursing eligible school projects for another two years.","The Montana Senate concurred with House Bill 234 to allow continued use of a remaining $3.7 million in state funds for a school lead-in-drinking-water reimbursement program for two years; the motion passed 48–1 after senators described wrapped drinking fountains and slow program uptake.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Summary of bills and roll-call outcomes, Montana Senate, March 27

Senate advances property-tax reform bill to slow growth in taxable value; bill passes committee on second reading 38–12

Montana Senate debates Article V call for balanced-budget convention; resolution indefinitely postponed

Montana Senate concurs to extend school lead remediation funds for two years