The Montana Senate took a series of third‑reading votes early in the session on a package of bills, approving most and rejecting a few.

The roll call covered a mix of procedural, statutory and policy bills. Several measures passed unanimously or by lopsided margins; one notable item failed on a close vote.

Why it matters: Third‑reading votes send bills to the other chamber and mark the Legislature’s first formal, floor‑level outcomes. The tallies below show which measures drew substantial floor support and which split the chamber.

Summary of third‑reading outcomes (floor tally as announced on the record):

- Senate Bill 21 (introduced by Sen. Usher) — passed (outcome recorded on the floor; tally not specified in the transcript excerpt). Evidence: “Senate Veil 21 have been read through several times. ... Well, Senate Bill 21 has passed the Senate.”

- Senate Bill 127 (introduced by Mandela) — failed, 23 ayes, 27 nays.

- Senate Bill 112 (introduced by Zollnikov; listed as “Senate bill 1 12” in the transcript) — passed, 50 ayes, 0 nays.

- Senate Bill 227 (introduced by McKinney; transcript numeric shown as “2 27”) — passed, 49 ayes, 1 nay.

- Senate Bill 242 (introduced by McCain; transcript numeric shown as “2 42”) — passed, 31 ayes, 19 nays.

- Senate Bill 243 (introduced by Bolden; transcript numeric shown as “2 43”) — passed, 47 ayes, 3 nays.

- Senate Bill 245 (introduced by Yackovich; transcript numeric shown as “2 45”) — passed, 49 ayes, 0 nays.

- Senate Bill 246 (introduced by Newman; transcript numeric shown as “2 46”) — passed, 44 ayes, 6 nays.

- Senate Bill 252 (introduced by Fern; transcript numeric shown as “2 52”) — passed, 48 ayes, 1 nay.

- Senate Bill 296 (introduced by Iaccoach; transcript numeric shown as “2 96”) — passed, 50 ayes, 0 nays.

- Senate Bill 312 (introduced by Morgeau; transcript numeric shown as “3 12”) — passed, 43 ayes, 7 nays.

The transcript contains the verbatim roll‑call announcements and the clerk’s tallies used above; those floor record entries are cited in provenance below.

What’s next: Passed bills will be transmitted to the House as the Senate’s action; failed bills must be reconsidered or refiled in later action if sponsors choose.