[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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",6100405,"mediaKeyId","2813607-37716c5becb4f9149365f193ae1ee332","parentId",2813607,"title","Senate concurs in psychology interstate compact to ease cross-state telepsychology; proponents stress access, opponents raise concern","audioSeconds",619,"startMs",3317000,"endMs",3936000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813607-37716c5becb4f9149365f193ae1ee332&start=3317&end=3936","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813607-37716c5becb4f9149365f193ae1ee332/thumbnail_3317000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6100405/Montana/Senate-concurs-in-psychology-interstate-compact-to-ease-cross-state-telepsychology-proponents-stress-access-opponents-raise-concern","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100405-daf2b6c9a7e67e7dd3271c2cf4422dd6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137770&Signature=O5b-Baf4skYtBb-GpmoedN2J6B50OoQEa72Ok4mtjQ8jcy54aW3xmGOxkPHCVEp7JJXn7GDsSQKu3bE0tdZ213zl~zlc2MFcP77JW0Ov639P0phBFzU7RdAhpDC-Dvtn8IFC0FEgfznWTttXcJb9vti82RwFQfsf7OUfSoPypFz8IZHIJxXL6BU4shbrVVFLHijF2vaZ~KWptBh7yQsrxwvkl8jcO8Q6hw2IZ4cRT9vERfyzsfr4V~lK8ssMqpgebaRwv63Oj-HJlqT7sg5NO3zyoFY4q-Mf51cObbFk72GV6H09HXXuubhMmdqR0DFhPotnT5IUYzFFooWYBVMTAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-28T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Novak urged concurrence in House Bill 241, which would adopt the psychology interstate compact and allow licensed psychologists to provide telepsychology services across member states while recognizing a provider’s home-state licensure and setting conditions for temporary practice.

Novak said the compact increases access to care during an ongoing mental-health crisis and that 42 other states have enacted the compact or similar legislation. She added that psychologists practicing under the compact would be licensed in Montana and therefore subject to Montana mandatory-reporting duties and other obligations. \"They would actually be licensed in Montana. So they're under all the same parameters of every other licensee in Montana,\" Novak said in response to a question about mandated reporting.

Some senators voiced broader objections to interstate compacts in principle and expressed a preference for in-person care. Senator Emmerich said compacts are problematic and argued Montana should rely on locally trained providers; Senator Fuller questioned teletherapy’s ability to capture nonverbal cues.

Supporters stressed continuity of care when patients move across state lines and the utility of telehealth for specialty care that is otherwise scarce in rural areas. Senator Novak added that telehealth is already widely used in Montana and that the compact would allow continuing care when a patient moves.

The clerk recorded 46 yeas and 4 nays; the Senate concurred in HB 241 on second reading.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Floor Session - Friday, Mar 28, 2025 12:59 - 16:00","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate concurred in House Bill 241, adopting the psychology interstate compact to facilitate telepsychology and temporary practice across states, by a 46-4 vote. Supporters said it improves continuity of care, particularly for rural and mobile patients; some senators expressed constitutional objections to compacts or preferred in-person care.","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},6100410,"Senate narrows who may demand to see electrician licenses on jobsites; bill concurred 32-18",467,2475000,2942000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813607-37716c5becb4f9149365f193ae1ee332&start=2475&end=2942","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813607-37716c5becb4f9149365f193ae1ee332/thumbnail_2475000.jpg","/articles/6100410/Montana/Senate-narrows-who-may-demand-to-see-electrician-licenses-on-jobsites-bill-concurred-32-18","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100410-8254a2c421155cf71f12c4d79a74f72a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137770&Signature=og4wL7zgcc1G3OS4d8c~TPXKzscUOxsCrnrotAsUBDK~X2XEOZSM9-aAdDhS9OLlTf5bqUEeuKJe7-tokj2NMVbzsbH3uilYIR2AiUHGOnjlJs37CEuCVAAc2Zgy0kMXo-ZrrouTRZSTAwyRrRs4pHDzJqbvj67gTPBLpEjIdkG33ISToQjXEom9rx2Jgf-uPzmEMXNoYKF8qKlne9p6RK5qqdgOXPHiO-J3tifVcDEvLV~i1hTyqi2JqHo6OEX3fTBOXxsiePbWxNhm8xW3eUQimr0rKdo-oKm8Nr~iQhOJFvQ6Wt3vP4AEZUf0OB1m-5Im2s1zkeKp4o3twj8SEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Tzczak carried House Bill 206, a bill that changes who may enter a job site or private home and request to see an electrician’s license. The bill passed on second reading with a 32-18 vote.

Tzczak said the current law allows many people to request licenses at job sites, which can lead to unauthorized people entering private property, harassment of workers and safety issues. \"What the statute is currently written is leading to job site harassment, private property liability issues and loss of production,\" the carrier said.

Under the change, those authorized to request an electrician’s license on a job site would include local inspectors and state electrical inspectors from the Department of Labor and Industry, and, on larger commercial sites, contractors working on the same project may verify colleagues’ credentials. Supporters said the public can already see license and permit information on the department’s website and that on-site checks by random visitors are unnecessary and sometimes unsafe.

Opponents argued the bill could reduce compliance by making it harder to spot unlicensed work. Senator Morjot said it might decrease enforcement options and urged caution; Senator Benton, a cosponsor of concerns, said his construction co-owner electrician confirmed unauthorized visitors had come to job sites to check licenses and that the bill protects job-site safety.

The clerk recorded 32 yeas and 18 nays; the bill was concurred in on second reading and will proceed to the House for further action.","The Senate concurred in House Bill 206 by a 32-18 vote. The bill narrows who may enter a worksite and request to see an electrician's license, limiting it to local or state electrical inspectors and, in some cases, other contractors on a shared job site, according to sponsors.",{"_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},6100415,"Senate deadlocks on tow-operator payment bill; critics call language flawed, senators later indefinitely postpone measure",675,6801000,7476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813607-37716c5becb4f9149365f193ae1ee332&start=6801&end=7476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813607-37716c5becb4f9149365f193ae1ee332/thumbnail_6801000.jpg","/articles/6100415/Montana/Senate-deadlocks-on-tow-operator-payment-bill-critics-call-language-flawed-senators-later-indefinitely-postpone-measure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100415-c893e1ecf9cc8eed9abeabf7d346619c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137770&Signature=MnwDx4hY~Yi7TGzH-6nM7mUc2vkKrRLe2X5pE0oYPUVfVBashUijixlmN-~xQ4cpwZ4B8vvZj5aO3lsuQlJy9Rr1d1ZZhseRSz5tt3yKpA-e-irZ0UMTDIO9Qlw14a3gq6eWZZUa6LE-LMkk0zv3QuPjNvdw44NvidGG7ExxHMXV9D20TsLA4T99Oj-eG-FS~3KLBrWBMX-KtjLsPpArLVLqALy0wcdsq2LAi1peG0mhWWzysGycEf8CAbOizk7G3z4uvZ3HboOdsQQyQ7L9n1pg-nwr8Ls-YgJirChas2~vHK0~ocFkvZzBNaRhyh8fEtfKCYln-mL4T6QQ0Ja6Sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Dunwell, the bill’s carrier, introduced House Bill 223 as a measure intended to ensure tow-truck operators receive payment for towing, recovery and debris cleanup after crashes. Dunwell said the bill \"provides reasonable costs for the cost of towing, recovery, and cleaning up debris after crashes\" and argued tow companies frequently go unpaid and lack efficient administrative remedies.

Opponents, including Senator Olson, called the bill poorly drafted and warned it could \"cannibalize\" policy limits — meaning that specific coverage for towing could exhaust policy limits that otherwise would pay for vehicle or personal-injury claims. Olson urged alternatives such as a commissioner’s guidance letter or administrative fixes and said the bill could create new problems while addressing a real issue.

Other senators raised fiscal concerns. Senator Emmerich argued it would add another rider and increase premiums; Senator Temple said the highway patrol did not support the bill as drafted. Supporters, including Senator Phelan and Senator Usher, said insurance companies already have obligations and that bad-faith actors needed to be addressed.

On the concurrence vote the clerk recorded 24 yeas and 26 nays; the motion to concur failed. The majority leader then moved to indefinitely postpone House Bill 223; that motion passed 39-9. The file is effectively shelved pending further drafting or agency action.","House Bill 223, which would have required motor vehicle insurance policies to cover reasonable towing, recovery and debris-cleanup costs for commercial tow operators, failed on the floor (24-26) and was then indefinitely postponed by the Senate (39-9). Debate centered on drafting flaws, potential premium impacts and alternative remedies.",{"_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},6100421,"Senate approves three wolf-management bills after heated debate over population targets, methods and tourism impacts",3860,2616000,6476000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813607-37716c5becb4f9149365f193ae1ee332&start=2616&end=6476","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813607-37716c5becb4f9149365f193ae1ee332/thumbnail_2616000.jpg","/articles/6100421/Montana/Senate-approves-three-wolf-management-bills-after-heated-debate-over-population-targets-methods-and-tourism-impacts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100421-a8138b424f5cf007ac3ee13a4b1b2f50/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137770&Signature=eB-dAXe11XJdqWteZq6LCTxFs3CwyCXxNhl54O5838TaTkEZQfrrQLcSE2tzRLv4z2sZwcMHUz87rb-oBUCghXjy1D0qjFNEK4SWyrybqqKpkXcbZ5BmCWdOD0ssDyFC4mJx~nSFN3rrQgnCnz1c4pSp5YYhS6p7Ncx1A1faib~y7CHp3LFikRaUpRQcyGoXIXxBYHYfv1rzztXdnZpXD4L~2EwPNbJStx4WlIU5Z8G2MqkFqUPmVYB4le34ba6FWcjYAPjZpsflc4pkVYgjlzOtdDt7vZaK~CuwlBIFfTTVcitFVJJ0o46PMwDK-jKUFi~TtdL5s81aOvPoIoN0Mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montana Senate on second reading voted to concur in three related wolf-management bills after extended floor debate.

Senator Hertz, the carrier for all three measures, argued the bills respond to population changes since delisting and aim to give the Fish, Wildlife & Parks Commission additional authority to manage wolves, reduce populations where necessary and align hunting seasons with other seasons. \"We just have to balance between the two,\" Hertz said, pointing to maps and federal materials distributed to members showing wolf distribution and elk-population differences across the state.

House Bill 176 directs the commission to set hunting and trapping seasons with the intent of reducing the statewide wolf population to 450 animals where appropriate, while allowing exclusions near Yellowstone National Park. The Senate concurred in HB 176 by a 26-24 vote.

House Bill 258 extends wolf season timing so that wolf hunting aligns with the spring bear season in some areas; the Senate concurred 31-19. House Bill 259 authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Commission to apply different regional management techniques and clarifies that infrared and thermal devices fall under existing allowances for night-vision devices used on private property; the Senate concurred 32-18.

Supporters — including senators who represent rural and western districts — said the bills address ongoing depredations, declining elk numbers in some western areas and local concerns. \"When wolves begin to reduce the food supply that grizzly bears can use and both of them are opportunistic hunters...this is a reasonable approach,\" said Senator Fuller, who supported limits to reduce local impacts.

Opponents warned that the measures risk undermining long-term conservation status and could complicate federal delisting. Senator Gillespie and others said reducing protections or widening harvest could increase the chance that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would relist wolves. Senator Flowers and others noted FWP had opposed one bill, citing concerns about population-estimate models (the integrated patch occupancy model, or IPOM/IPAM) and the difficulty of accounting for pup mortality after adult harvest.

Tourism and reputational concerns also surfaced. Senator Pope recounted inquiries from international tour operators, saying Montana’s wildlife are a draw for visitors and that aggressive harvest policies could affect visitor perceptions.

Each bill passed on the floor with the tallies recorded by the clerk: HB 176 (26-24), HB 258 (31-19) and HB 259 (32-18). All three measures will return to the House for further action.","The Senate concurred in House Bill 176 (26-24), House Bill 258 (31-19) and House Bill 259 (32-18). Debate split between lawmakers who said wolf numbers in parts of western Montana and impacts on elk and livestock justify state-level management changes, and others who warned of relisting risk, modeling accuracy and effects on tourism.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6100425,"Senate approves change to assault statute to include knowingly providing drugs without consent; debate centers on vaccines and guardianship",882,1159000,2041000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813607-37716c5becb4f9149365f193ae1ee332&start=1159&end=2041","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813607-37716c5becb4f9149365f193ae1ee332/thumbnail_1159000.jpg","/articles/6100425/Montana/Senate-approves-change-to-assault-statute-to-include-knowingly-providing-drugs-without-consent-debate-centers-on-vaccines-and-guardianship","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100425-d0d483a8d59b4d0735931e2ac358972d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771137770&Signature=hFh9lXMOyuNTSn14Wt-z9SjDqW0xXxb9u4UBRUMJ0tvfM0kyk226XU9vY~7Bdk99YD2jxEZyfLwXJ1PrX5zkfdkZtKLyb9HrJ9hgK-qEdnP70uNvDI2nY0cm1VMC07snlu9rqshZ2QuxY1JWVeWBM8LAF0osQ~WSw1IfVxPguUKocRSFx6jK7SkNZnb1C0ABmpsiekAjjoRVX5-sYxYPStoS~~BKNwUVJjzEctq0QgdAHC~~OP1xzOXlBx2MYhmAkILLTl~V93HudfDdZCBO2K7n2kvYblJcf0ugLURw0rhKJxFgwEFq6FjQB0gVrlgFgrFN5JeDdeEK-brnm6UzEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Emmerich moved and the Senate concurred in House Bill 174 on second reading, approving language that makes it an assault to purposely or knowingly provide certain drugs to another person without that person’s express, informed or implied consent or, alternatively, without the express, informed or implied consent of a parent, guardian or medical power of attorney. The motion passed 28-22.

The bill’s carrier, Senator Emmerich, said the change was intended to update the assault statute to cover drugs commonly used to incapacitate victims and to clarify consent rules. \"This bill simply extends the statute...and extends it from 3 years to 5 years\" and, as amended, clarifies that assault applies where someone provides listed drugs without consent, Emmerich said.

The floor debate focused on an amendment that added vaccines to the list of covered substances and the effect of the consent language that includes parents, guardians and holders of medical power of attorney. Senator Bridal said she was concerned the amendment was not on most members’ desks and described the change as a potential “poison pill” that could alter the original bill’s intent. She argued the language could have the effect of requiring an adult to obtain a parent’s consent for drugs such as Ambien if read narrowly.

Senator Emmerich and other supporters described the amendment as intended to protect vulnerable people — including adults who lack decision-making capacity and children — and characterized it as a friendly amendment agreed with the House sponsor. \"We have 2 scenarios here...an adult has the ability to make their own decisions,\" Emmerich said, adding the parent/guardian/power-of-attorney clause addresses those who cannot.

Opponents argued the vaccine language and the parent/guardian clause created unintended consequences. Senator Fuller said the amendment \"completely eviscerated the intent of the bill\" and flagged public-health concerns, describing current outbreaks of whooping cough and measles in Montana during debate and warning that weakening vaccine rules could have public-health effects. Senator Olson and others questioned whether the amendment's language was legally redundant or would create perverse outcomes, and suggested alternatives including returning the bill to its original assault formulation.

Senator Emmerich urged a yes vote, saying the language is broad to protect people who are incapacitated and that the sponsor in the House supported the changes. The clerk recorded 28 yeas and 22 nays; the bill was concurred in on second reading.","The Montana Senate concurred in House Bill 174 on second reading after a 28-22 vote following floor debate over an amendment that extends the assault statute to cover providing listed drugs — and, controversially, vaccines — without an individual's express, informed or implied consent or that of a parent, guardian or medical power of attorney.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate concurs in psychology interstate compact to ease cross-state telepsychology; proponents stress access, opponents raise concern

Senate narrows who may demand to see electrician licenses on jobsites; bill concurred 32-18

Senate deadlocks on tow-operator payment bill; critics call language flawed, senators later indefinitely postpone measure

Senate approves three wolf-management bills after heated debate over population targets, methods and tourism impacts

Senate approves change to assault statute to include knowingly providing drugs without consent; debate centers on vaccines and guardianship