HB 284 Montana House · 2025 Regular Session

Establish an interim committee to investigate civil rights violations and censorship within the MUS

HB 284 establishes the Montana University System Investigation Committee, composed of six legislators. This committee is tasked with investigating civil rights violations and acts of censorship within the Montana University System. It will gather testimony from students about their experiences or observations at public universities and colleges. The committee will then make findings and recommendations, which will be reported to various state and federal officials. The bill appropriates $13,500 for committee expenses and the committee will conclude its work by December 31, 2026.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Signed May 16, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 6 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB0284_X(2).pdf HB0284_X(3).pdf · 4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to correct a clerical error in the committee composition, changing the size from six to eight legislators. This adjustment ensures the committee has the proper number of representatives from both the House and Senate, with specific requirements for minority party representation. The changes also reorganized the text to clarify appointment procedures and added a new section for electing leadership roles.
Scope change
The scope of the committee's composition changed from six members to eight members, increasing the number of legislators involved in the committee's work.
REQUIREMENT

The committee size was increased from six legislators to eight, with the House now contributing four members and the Senate contributing four members.

The requirement for minority party representation was updated to ensure two minority members are appointed from the House and two from the Senate.

A new provision was added requiring the committee to elect a presiding officer and a vice presiding officer.

TECHNICAL

Redundant and conflicting text regarding committee composition was removed to align with the new eight-member structure.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 14, 2025 · House Apr 17, 2025

How they voted

2919
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 50
Apr 14, 2025
D Democratic18
1 Yea 16 Nay 1
88% Nay
R Republican32
28 Yea 3 Nay 1
87% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
43
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Amendments
1
May 12, 2025
Signed into law
(H) Signed by Governor
lower
May 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
May 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
Apr 17, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (59-40-1)
house
Apr 14, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (29-19-2)
senate
Apr 14, 2025
Introduced
(S) Returned to House with Amendments
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Judiciary
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Judiciary
upper
Mar 3, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Judiciary
upper
Feb 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Judiciary
lower
Feb 17, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Judiciary
lower
Jan 23, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Judiciary
lower
Jan 22, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Caleb Hinkle
Caleb Hinkle
RRepublican
MT
68