By Clayton Murphy| UM Legislative News Service HELENA — A long-drawn ethics investigation into Sen. Jason Ellsworth, R-Hamilton, came to a head on April 1 when Majority Leader Tom McGillvray moved to revoke nearly all of the former Senate president’s privileges, including a lifetime ban from the chamber. McGillvray’s motion passed the two-thirds requirement at 44 to 6—a decisive victory after
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By Clayton Murphy | UM Legislative News Service HELENA — Montana judges could be required to take child abuse and domestic violence trainings if a bill in the Montana Legislature passes the House. Sen. Dennis Lenz, R-Billings, is carrying Senate Bill 318, which supporters are calling “Brody’s Law.” Lenz said the bill will help judges deal with the suspects in abuse
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By Clayton Murphy | UM Legislative News Service Parents, guardians and teachers could be reimbursed for education expenses through a new income tax credit if a bill in the Senate passes. Senate Bill 549 would reimburse up to $1,250 for tuition, materials, exam fees, transportation and other services like tutoring and therapies, among others. The current fiscal note estimates a yearly
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By Clayton Murphy | UM Legislative News Service, University of Montana School of Journalism HELENA — At a quick and quiet committee hearing in February, a Bozeman mother of two took the podium, telling the committee about her husband, now held in a prison 1,200 miles away. “We were only able to visit him once in Deer Lodge before it felt like
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By Emma White | UM Legislative News Service, University of Montana School of Journalism Montanans Impassioned About Proposed Resolution to Release Federal Wilderness Study Lands HELENA – A proposed resolution to release federal wilderness study lands sparked nearly two hours of passionate testimony in the Senate Energy Committee on March 25. Sen. Tony Tezak, R-Ennis, the sponsor of Senate Resolution 14, argued
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By Emma White | UM Legislative News Service, University of Montana School of Journalism HELENA – After a series of tight votes in the Senate, the House Education Committee is now considering a bill that would create a reporting system for Indian Education for All funds in Montana’s public schools in an effort to increase transparency. During the last legislative session,
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By Emma White | UM Legislative News Service, University of Montana School of Journalism A proposed resolution to release federal wilderness study lands sparked nearly two hours of passionate testimony in the Senate Energy Committee on March 25. Sen. Tony Tezak, R-Ennis, the sponsor of Senate Resolution 14, argued Montana’s federal wilderness study lands are unmanaged areas rich with resources made inaccessible
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By Emma White | UM Legislative News Service, University of Montana School of Journalism A bill working its way through the Montana Legislature would close loopholes in the Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act and strengthen online data protections for children over the age of 13. Sen. Daniel Zolnikov, R-Billings, is carrying Senate Bill 297, which passed the Senate with unanimous support before
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By Emma White| UM Legislative News Service, University of Montana School of Journalism HELENA – The House Business and Labor Committee heard testimony in support of a bill on March 24 aimed at minimizing wait times for psychiatric medications because of insurance prior authorization struggles when there is a shortage of the medication. Prior authorization happens when an insurance company requires approval
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By Emma White | UM Legislative News Service, University of Montana School of Journalism HELENA – In a House committee in late February, a lawmaker passed a tiny cylindrical object around the room, saying it is the key to Montana’s future energy security. The cylinder was a model for one nuclear pellet, which Rep. Gary Parry, R-Colstrip, says is equivalent of 157
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