Senate Bill 527 drew a short hearing and public comment focused on the cost and ethical dimensions of funding in vitro fertilization through taxpayer-supported programs.

Senator Laura Smith, who represents parts of Jefferson and Lewis and Clark counties, opened the hearing and asked the committee to table the bill. ‘‘I request that this bill be tabled,’’ Smith said, signaling she would not press for immediate action amid concerns raised by opponents and inaccuracies she did not plan to address in that hearing.

Public opponents urged the committee not to use public funds for elective IVF care and raised ethical objections. A Ravalli County speaker, identified in the transcript as Loosenhuy, said that while he liked ‘‘pink bikes’’ and the niceties of life, ‘‘the question is, is this the role of government? Should government provide nice pink bikes?’’ He characterized IVF as an elective service that should not be a taxpayer responsibility.

Robin Sertell, testifying for Montanans for Life, focused on ethical and cost concerns and on specific provisions of the bill. ‘‘…doing it at taxpayer expense is burdensome for the taxpayers who are already stretched thin in Montana,’’ Sertell said. She raised concerns about section 3 of the bill and described what she called lifetime-care implications and large fiscal impacts, citing industry figures and alleging that the IVF industry performs selection practices she opposed.

There were no proponents noted in the room during the hearing and informational witnesses were not present. Senator Smith closed by reiterating her tabling request.

Executive action recorded later in the committee shows the motion to table SB 527 was made and ordered; the transcript records the chair’s instruction and the motion to table SB 527 was moved to the table during executive action.

What’s next: The committee disposed of SB 527 by tabling it at executive action. Because the sponsor requested tabling, the bill will not advance from this committee at this time.

Speakers and testimony are recorded in the committee transcript.