The Senate Public Health Committee opened a hearing March 21 on Senate Resolution 11, a concurrence for the governor's appointment to the Montana Board of Athletic Trainers.

Hannah Slusser, representing the governor's office, asked the committee to confirm Tracy Hauser and described the five-member board's intended composition: “1 physician, preferably with a background in sports medicine, 1 public member and 3 athletic trainers.” Kevin Bragg, bureau chief for professional licensing at the Department of Labor and Industry, also urged confirmation.

Sarah Swanson, commissioner at the Department of Labor and Industry, told the committee that a bill pending in the legislature would consolidate several small, low-volume boards — including athletic trainers — with related professions such as physical therapy and occupational therapy. She said the board has about 181 licensees and that the consolidation work will require “a lot of rulemaking” during the interim; she cited Tracy Hauser's varied experience as valuable for that effort.

Tracy Hauser, testifying in support of her confirmation, told the committee she has worked as an athletic trainer for nearly 30 years in college, professional, secondary-school and clinical settings and asked for confirmation to the board.

Support also came from Riley Ungaretti, president of the Montana Athletic Trainers Association, who said Hauser had been serving on the board since July 2024 and recommended her confirmation. The committee did not take a final vote at the hearing; the item was closed for later consideration.