Representative Katie Zolligoff sponsored House Bill 181 and told the committee the measure would give the Montana Highway Patrol explicit jurisdiction over the Capitol complex. "In order to close that loophole and to shine light on all the gray areas in MCA, we are adding the capitol complex to their jurisdiction," Zolligoff said.

Alan Doane of the Montana Department of Justice and Major Chanberry, operations commander for the Montana Highway Patrol, testified in support. Doane offered a printed definition from 2-17-802 for the committee’s review. Major Chanberry said the bill “will more clearly define some of the statutes, primarily so that it can't be used for a righteous arrest or a valid arrest in court. So it'll provide a very good safeguard for that.”

Senator Sue Vinton and Jesse Luther of the Association of Montana Troopers also testified in support, emphasizing the Highway Patrol’s role and presence during legislative sessions.

Questions from the committee addressed operational effects and staffing. Doane explained the bill adds the Capitol complex and other state buildings within a 10-mile radius (with exclusions) to the definition in 2-17-802 so the Highway Patrol’s statutory jurisdiction is unambiguous; Major Chanberry said most troopers assigned to capital security already live in the Helena area and that the patrol has staffed security with a sergeant and up to three troopers (currently two due to vacancies).

No formal vote on House Bill 181 was recorded during the hearing.