[{"_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",6100409,"mediaKeyId","2813605-6f84380357f9ebd0b2308f885de8635c","parentId",2813605,"title","Votes at a glance: Key House bills the Montana Senate acted on March 28","audioSeconds",6180,"startMs",1146000,"endMs",7326000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813605-6f84380357f9ebd0b2308f885de8635c&start=1146&end=7326","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813605-6f84380357f9ebd0b2308f885de8635c/thumbnail_1146000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6100409/Montana/Votes-at-a-glance-Key-House-bills-the-Montana-Senate-acted-on-March-28","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100409-94c136c6d21895ddca8ce6b4b02361a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145873&Signature=b0CdJeT7wyCjbsILUMjyT6QbsDV~pdUHIsNVd5p-50XYl9fX5Wq5FIfaIaeG~~tGt8omTc0mGHmxO3GmKotrIUZd3NDcvv6TIfqMOAZgElOCKV6YK6UR57uK5LFkik~vj81Q7P6z~Brb64vIymQC-CGrkQHlsAgeIkKcHkMeNrSjqphtVY5j~dtLevsp-X-pe6jGER0cVP3-CQh2rIfPFBAyak4vrLepCpSE1GMFNSaRbjrQFCuZrK8d4bVefU73fJSGI9Nkipj4QdCIkpo3schjD-L~d~Lz9ijSenUwTcCGigpyJTLthJoh5scq~o~glONQ49wVqsgXX9WhkNc1hw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-28T00:00:00Z","article","The Montana Senate on March 28 considered a large number of House measures. Below is a concise summary of formal actions taken on second reading during the floor session. Each listing notes the recorded Senate action and vote tally as announced by the Clerk.

- House Bill 158 — Extends working-retiree provisions under the teachers’ retirement system: Concurred in on second reading; Clerk announced 50 ayes (unanimous vote recorded for the chamber's quorum reporting).

- House Bill 186 — Increases the size of the Board of Pardons and Parole and provides transition provisions; sponsor said the change reflects workload increases: Concurred in on second reading, recorded vote 42 ayes, 7 nays.

- House Bill 198 — Prohibits contracts that restrict specified health-care providers from practicing (non-compete restrictions for mental/behavioral health providers highlighted): Concurred in on second reading, recorded vote 49–0.

- House Bill 228 — Revises reporting requirements for actual costs of legislation that have projected fiscal impacts (twice-yearly reporting): Concurred in on second reading, recorded vote 50–0.

- House Bill 238 — Standardizes processes for mental and physical evaluations for professional licensees on health boards: Concurred in on second reading; unanimous or near-unanimous concurrence recorded.

- House Bill 253 — Requires the Department of Public Health and Human Services to disclose aggregate hospitalization and death counts in a public health emergency: Concurred in on second reading (vote recorded; proxy votes noted).

- House Bill 254 — Eliminates fingerprint background-check requirement for certain professional employer organization (PEO) applicants (limited to PEO CEOs): Concurred in on second reading, recorded vote 36 ayes, 13 nays.

- House amendments to Senate Bill 11 — Revisions to local government ballot-issue procedures and signature-gathering rules: House amendments concurred in on second reading, recorded vote 48–1.

- House Bill 223 — Would have required motor vehicle insurance policies to cover reasonable towing, recovery and debris-cleanup costs for commercial tow operators. The Senate voted 24–26 against concurrence; majority leader moved and the Senate approved a motion to indefinitely postpone HB 223 (39 ayes to 9 nays to indefinitely postpone).

Other bills read and passed on third reading earlier in the session were recorded as passed by the Senate; committee reports adopted and other first- and second-reading actions were announced by the Clerk during adjournment.

Why it matters: These votes move a range of policy areas forward — from retirement rules and corrections board staffing to healthcare provider non-competes, workplace licensing, and government fiscal transparency. Several bills drew unanimous support while a few prompted close or contentious votes requiring further action by the House or potential conference.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Floor Session - Friday, Mar 28, 2025 12:59 - 15:26","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate took up a slate of House bills on March 28; several were concurred in on second reading with varying margins, one bill was indefinitely postponed after a close vote.","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},6100414,"Senate concurs in bill limiting who may enter job sites to request electrician licenses, supporters cite safety and productivity",491,2588000,3079000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813605-6f84380357f9ebd0b2308f885de8635c&start=2588&end=3079","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813605-6f84380357f9ebd0b2308f885de8635c/thumbnail_2588000.jpg","/articles/6100414/Montana/Senate-concurs-in-bill-limiting-who-may-enter-job-sites-to-request-electrician-licenses-supporters-cite-safety-and-productivity","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100414-dc661af8378aacc8f92431ae89bd8adf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145873&Signature=Dz-xbXvhB~hAaCx0FdkXNmIHw27g2j6HHEqxPP51F~pE-15zR0lf9BUvux5jjO~Z2b~bJGUQmOi75ZubZoUM5Q7aFSX98LGIgZl-J0CBflnhqZ7pC-3PclpLvo4Y0wx3-SXgfDpUSnTxiuRGesifLcJxq8FsmmZf1iBbB33qFNY0bXKxA4-cUGvv2w6iS8-eMpH8sGSfUQbg-OjAYjVCx9DIrtF1TVgFRoS0pFWEdgTHQeOpy-8N-L3wI7OWq0tITuvwrFe-PBXzy0prYa7WdYtSUry6YtqgeLrqryxP7FzjEdEYDIVZr3VkBa0uZIMWg9Q-Wgd8S-vQIjqDmalSxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montana Senate on March 28 concurred in House Bill 206, a measure that limits who may enter a job site to request to see electricians’ licenses and clarifies that such checks should be done by authorized inspectors or contractors with an employment-related interest.

Senator Tzczak, the bill’s carrier, told senators the change responds to incidents where unauthorized individuals entered private job sites, distracted workers and created liability and safety concerns. \"You can imagine if you're having a job and anybody can walk onto that job,\" said Senator Logie during debate, calling the bill \"workplace protection.\"

Opponents, including Senator Morgeau, argued the change could reduce compliance and make it harder to catch unlicensed work. Supporters said the state maintains public records of licenses on the Department of Labor website and that certified inspectors remain able to enforce compliance.

On the vote the clerk recorded 32 senators voting aye and 18 voting nay; the Senate concurred in House Bill 206 on second reading.

Why it matters: The bill affects how license verification is performed on private and public job sites, balancing safety and property rights against proactive compliance checks intended to prevent unlicensed work.

Next steps: With Senate concurrence complete the bill returns to the House for consideration of the Senate amendments or proceeds toward final enactment if both chambers agree.","The Senate concurred in House Bill 206, which narrows who may enter electrical job sites to request licenses or verify credentials; proponents framed the bill as workplace-safety and private-property protection while some members said it could reduce compliance checks.",{"_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},6100419,"Senate concurs in psychology compact to enable interstate telepsychology; supporters cite continuity of care",585,3412000,3997000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813605-6f84380357f9ebd0b2308f885de8635c&start=3412&end=3997","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813605-6f84380357f9ebd0b2308f885de8635c/thumbnail_3412000.jpg","/articles/6100419/Montana/Senate-concurs-in-psychology-compact-to-enable-interstate-telepsychology-supporters-cite-continuity-of-care","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100419-9d743c2732ce5a03875630a116b2690e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145873&Signature=as5Yq1n46fuo1mu7HkPIIaLD59pHGrj1Yu~8CKTVziqYTbh-rzhU54HScuIZuGyhCZYAOeeevc7AT4ZzaSOTb~MJWMyiQcO3HI4cT9gK~jNdEO80WteGXXlOUsqR5HxBbj8s~rtPd7KZh-wGTheihyx5TArt3gJyJ6tESUxxmeP6G8fXGQYC8hKN7oBm0nRdem-dhrCrNplxtx2uP2U~VXw~FKmHP-azAgm95umA1pfmDo6RcF~gRXPkjHMnoV86vPYPnnGoaOFaf8p2USdMHsH8F6qcrhf62kveDbRRKQwFXZVMrESaEx8aaiEoasxgumpfE3BHI35ehRSN0vQ9eg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montana Senate on March 28 concurred in House Bill 241, legislation to adopt the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT), a multistate agreement that allows licensed psychologists to provide telepsychology services to residents of other compact states and to practice temporarily in-person in a receiving state.

Senator Novak, the carrier, said the compact \"facilitates the practice of psychology using telecommunication technology\" and noted 42 other states had enacted the compact. Novak said the compact helps maintain continuity of care for patients who move across state lines and expands access to specialty providers for rural Montana communities.

During floor debate Senator Emmerich asked whether providers practicing under the compact would remain subject to Montana’s mandatory reporting obligations; Novak answered yes, saying those psychologists would be licensed in Montana and subject to Montana’s mandated-reporter rules and other licensure requirements.

Opponents raised constitutional and policy concerns about interstate compacts and voiced a preference for Montana-specific regulation, but proponents said the compact preserves state regulatory authority and includes consumer protections. The clerk recorded 46 senators voting aye and 4 senators voting nay; the Senate concurred in House Bill 241 on second reading.

Why it matters: The compact aims to expand access to licensed mental-health care by removing licensing barriers across member states for telepsychology while maintaining state oversight of licensees. Supporters emphasized potential benefits for rural Montanans who lose access to a therapist when they move.

Next steps: With Senate concurrence complete, the measure returns to the House if amendments were made or will proceed toward final enactment if both chambers agree on identical language.","The Senate concurred in House Bill 241, adopting the psychology interjurisdictional compact to permit licensed psychologists to practice telepsychology across member states; proponents argued it improves continuity of care while opponents voiced concerns about interstate compacts and local standards.",{"_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},6100424,"Montana Senate approves three wolf-management bills after lengthy floor debate over population, seasons and methods",691,2580000,3271000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813605-6f84380357f9ebd0b2308f885de8635c&start=2580&end=3271","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813605-6f84380357f9ebd0b2308f885de8635c/thumbnail_2580000.jpg","/articles/6100424/Montana/Montana-Senate-approves-three-wolf-management-bills-after-lengthy-floor-debate-over-population-seasons-and-methods","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100424-efc937a7dca732f039152b6e3acdaa77/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145873&Signature=OlxyvN-ZfGazASQwi9YTv4-fhsuOHdgwn2u1AiouNcxiO2PeAgPT-bWc8dztsJQH3idqG0VQsB6m7v~NbxZv1ngXo5JdBNEpqYKZQqPjkwhb9bIugBcHCKFaILhXeoYv96g4t5MtSDQw-rDPmOA9F9kWJHrWTAtWQeO5cp4YotStaMKLLE3fv4vIzQDghjghQcpMu3zpvRc9XNn3zWsIM2lCOydQpS3vv8HETseplE5GmP8Py1oVve7LBbH49KN81S1ipGPQyG9Wyl3bpb3kXZG5A6UQCpRbezpJydv-pHbNNMQTQmoFH3V2Yvx51eBb9sdMPU56IFA~ItMgtLXcnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montana Senate on March 28 advanced three related measures aimed at expanding state authority to manage gray wolves, approving House Bill 176 on a close vote and concurring in House Bills 258 and 259 on second reading.

House Bill 176 — carried on the floor by Senator Hertz — would revise state wolf-management rules to set a higher population benchmark and permit expanded state discretion in hunting and trapping around certain areas (with exceptions for districts adjacent to Yellowstone National Park). Hertz told senators he sponsored the bills in response to concerns from western Montana residents and livestock producers who say wolves have exceeded original recovery expectations.

Debate was robust. Opponents, including Senator Flowers and several members representing western and tourism-dependent districts, argued that wolf populations have stabilized and that the bills risk undermining the scientific and regulatory framework used by federal agencies. Senator Flowers cited trend data showing stabilized wolf counts and declining livestock losses in recent years and asked why the Senate should \"flip the table over and start all over.\" Several senators warned that weakening state regulatory safeguards could jeopardize delisting or federal protections for other species.

Supporters, including livestock-sector advocates and some rural senators, pushed back that regional wolf densities and local depredation justify expanded management tools. Senator Hertz and others argued the package balances tourism interests with hunting and ranching concerns.

House Bill 258 would extend wolf hunting season into the spring to align with the current spring bear season; supporters argued the change would allow more harvest opportunities. House Bill 259 authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Commission to use different management techniques by region and clarifies that thermal and infrared scopes fall within authorized night-vision tools on private land; proponents said the clarification simply recognized technology already in use for predator control.

Votes and outcomes:
- House Bill 176: Concurred in on second reading, 26–24.
- House Bill 258: Concurred in on second reading, 31–19.
- House Bill 259: Concurred in on second reading, 32–18.

Why it matters: The three bills together make cumulative changes to how Montana manages wolves — changing population thresholds, hunting seasons and allowable methods — and could affect wildlife populations, hunting and tourism dynamics as well as state-federal listings.

Next steps: The bills, having been concurred in on second reading, will return to the House for consideration of the Senate amendments, or be resolved in conference if the chambers do not agree.","The Senate concurred in House Bill 176 and voted to concur on House Bills 258 and 259, advancing measures that change wolf population targets, expand hunting seasons and allow additional management techniques including thermal and infrared scopes; the bills drew sharp divisions on wildlife, livestock and tourism impacts.",{"_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},6100427,"Montana Senate backs assault-by-drug measure after heated debate over added language on vaccines and common medicines",988,1166000,2154000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2813605-6f84380357f9ebd0b2308f885de8635c&start=1166&end=2154","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2813605-6f84380357f9ebd0b2308f885de8635c/thumbnail_1166000.jpg","/articles/6100427/Montana/Montana-Senate-backs-assault-by-drug-measure-after-heated-debate-over-added-language-on-vaccines-and-common-medicines","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6100427-6fa95f6c494c0d575220054614f6b391/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145873&Signature=Psuty24IJstYKKMHFakZvbd16lvjGIBmqIbS6usgWZsfatCUSci6s~Aiw-LRLn5DBWCvgQHL9SS~hgTPHJD8SqmBGWWYHQFqBQJsf4ZzZ4~OlOiF3ZAFAZEem0xfWkNM2Eq2YbGHZ-YPygZjNJev8TewEW8pIiLhkYqLGGobDoBTJPNRauTIr-PuZYKQ8rkN1moeCPaCVrQ-KHikV1qWoUP-UB3Ut1rg1U8dJelP44Zs5ncLtD7WDBlqjCpK8bUFBMJhc17x6IbO9Q2JrgbpTqDokhaVMaZQyNRVcZ8Myc1Myls7igY7~o5EgSQueQWdbeCMnEprUGCh80hCJr96kw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montana Senate on March 28 voted to concur in House Bill 174, a measure creating an assault offense for knowingly or purposely providing certain drugs to another person without consent, after more than an hour of debate over an amendment that expanded the list of covered substances.

The bill's carrier, Senator Emmerich, told the committee the measure \"simply extends the statute\" and that it was intended to protect people who are rendered incapacitated by drugs. Emmerich said the updated language covered situations when a person receives a drug without \"express, informed, or implied consent,\" or without consent from a parent, guardian or medical power of attorney.

Opponents argued the amendment’s language had unintended consequences. One member of the floor asked whether the amendment would mean adults needed parental permission for routine drugs like Ambien, saying the amendment “effectively now have made it so I need to ask my parent if I can take an Ambien.” Supporters, including Emmerich, said the amendment was intended to cover scenarios in which an adult cannot provide consent (for example, incapacitated adults or those with a guardian or power of attorney) and to protect minors and vulnerable adults.

Other senators raised policy and public-health concerns. Senator Newman noted the bill had been brought back to the floor with the amendment after being tabled in committee and said the change \"muddied and lessened\" the bill’s effectiveness. Senator Fuller urged colleagues to reject what he called a \"red herring\" and argued an adult who gives medication without another adult’s consent should be accountable.

Senator Emmerich repeatedly defended the amendment as protecting individuals from having medication administered without consent, and he said the bill's sponsor in the House supported the change. Supporters pointed to examples of people being \"slipped a drug\" and urged the Senate to pass the bill to make those acts punishable.

On the vote the clerk recorded 28 senators voting aye and 22 voting nay; the Senate concurred in House Bill 174 on second reading.

Why it matters: The amendment to HB 174 prompted a wide-ranging debate that touched on consent, public health and ordinary medical practice. Supporters said the change closes a gap that allows people to be drugged without consent; opponents warned the language as amended could sweep in lawful medical care and common prescription drugs if not clarified. The bill will go back to the House for the sponsor to accept or negotiate the Senate amendment.

Next steps: If the House accepts the Senate amendments the bill proceeds toward final enactment; otherwise the chambers may seek resolution in conference.

","The Montana Senate concurred in House Bill 174 on second reading after members debated an amendment that extended the new assault offense to include a wide list of drugs — language opponents said unintentionally criminalized routine administration of medicines and vaccines without clarifying minors or medical exceptions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Key House bills the Montana Senate acted on March 28

Senate concurs in bill limiting who may enter job sites to request electrician licenses, supporters cite safety and productivity

Senate concurs in psychology compact to enable interstate telepsychology; supporters cite continuity of care

Montana Senate approves three wolf-management bills after lengthy floor debate over population, seasons and methods

Montana Senate backs assault-by-drug measure after heated debate over added language on vaccines and common medicines