This Senate resolution (SR 34) confirms Governor Greg Gianforte's appointment of John Sampsel of Stanford, Montana, to serve on the Livestock Loss Board. It directly affects the Livestock Loss Board by adding Sampsel as a member for a term ending January 1, 2027. The resolution is purely procedural, following Montana law (MCA § 5-5-302) that requires legislative confirmation of such appointments. No new policies or funding are created - this simply validates the governor's existing appointment.
Senate Resolution 32 confirms the Governor's appointment of Julia Maxwell to the Board of Public Education. The resolution, adopted by the Montana Senate on April 1, 2025, formally approves her appointment to serve a term ending February 1, 2028, as submitted by the Governor on January 16, 2025. This procedural resolution has no substantive policy changes - it solely ratifies a gubernatorial appointment to an existing board.
This procedural resolution (SR 53) formally confirms Governor's appointment of Lisa Schmidt to the Montana Board of Public Education. It approves her service as a board member through February 1, 2031, as required by state law. The resolution does not create new policies or affect legislation - it solely validates the governor's existing appointment.
This is a procedural resolution confirming Governor's appointment to the Board of Public Education. It formally approves Hannah Nieskens' appointment as a board member, with a term ending February 1, 2032, as submitted by the Governor on January 16, 2025. The resolution does not create new policy or change existing laws - it solely confirms an existing appointment under Montana law. The Senate adopted this resolution on April 1, 2025, completing the confirmation process.
This procedural resolution (SR 45) confirms three appointments made by Montana's Governor to the Board of Veterinary Medicine. It formally approves Joshua Donald, Tia Nelson, and Garrett Ryerson for terms ending in 2026 or 2027, as submitted by the Governor on January 16, 2025. The resolution serves only to confirm the Governor's appointments to this existing board, with no new policies or regulations created. It directly affects the appointed board members and the veterinary profession regulated by the board.
Senate Resolution 35 confirms Governor's appointment of Frederick Moore of Miles City to the Montana Board of Livestock for a term ending March 1, 2029. This procedural resolution formally approves the governor's appointment as required by Montana law (section 5-5-302, MCA), without creating new policy or affecting broader regulations. It directly affects the Board of Livestock by adding a confirmed member to its membership.
SB 418 prohibits Montana local governments from banning home-based businesses entirely. It amends Section 7-1-111 of the Montana Code to explicitly state that municipalities cannot prohibit such businesses, though they may impose "reasonable" regulations (like zoning or noise limits). The bill directly affects homeowners operating small businesses from their residences, such as crafts, consulting, or childcare services. It does not override state licensing requirements or allow businesses to bypass local building codes, focusing solely on removing outright prohibitions. The bill is currently tabled in the House Local Government Committee.
Montana's SJ 3 is a joint resolution urging the U.S. Congress to revise federal commercial driver's license (CDL) requirements. It specifically requests that Congress exempt small haulers (e.g., pickup trucks carrying nonhazardous materials) and school bus drivers from needing CDLs, citing burdens on small businesses and rural school districts. The resolution does not change any laws but formally asks Congress to adjust federal rules to reduce these requirements. Montana's delegation and relevant federal committees will receive copies of the resolution.
Montana's SJ 9 is a symbolic joint resolution urging the U.S. Congress to address federal debt and deficit concerns. It declares that current federal fiscal policies harm Montanans and Americans, citing rising national debt ($36.3 trillion in 2025), interest costs, and inflation. The resolution specifically requests Congress adopt "disciplined fiscal rules" like a balanced budget amendment and asks all states to send similar resolutions to federal lawmakers. It does not create new laws but serves as a formal communication to Montana's congressional delegation and other states.
HB 434 clarifies that interactive teller machines (ITMs) do not count as physical bank branches under Montana law. The bill defines an "interactive teller machine" as an unstaffed, automated facility where customers can independently perform core banking transactions or connect remotely with bank staff. This change specifically amends Montana Code sections 32-1-109 and 32-6-103 to exclude ITMs from the definition of "branch," directly affecting banks operating these machines and the Division of Banking that regulates them. The law, signed by the governor on April 7, 2025, provides regulatory certainty for banks using ITMs without requiring additional physical branches.
HB 257 updates Montana's critical infrastructure protection laws by explicitly adding broadband and wireless communications infrastructure (including internet cables, cell towers, and related equipment) to the list of protected facilities. The bill expands definitions in Section 82-1-601 to include these networks under "critical infrastructure facility," while Section 82-1-602 clarifies criminal penalties for trespassing or damaging such facilities. Trespassing with intent to harm these newly protected facilities now carries felony charges (up to 18 months in prison or $4,500 fines), and damage exceeding $1,500 becomes a felony (up to 30 years in prison or $150,000 fines). This law directly affects anyone entering or damaging internet, phone, or cable infrastructure sites, with stricter penalties for intentional harm.
HB 165 eliminates the requirement for notarization when transferring ownership of older or low-value vehicles in Montana. It directly affects residents transferring vehicles that are 30 years old or older, worth $1,000 or less, or specific types like campers or boats, when the original title is lost. The bill revises vehicle title procedures to allow applicants to self-certify a vehicle's value using a bill of sale instead of obtaining a notarized document, while keeping other requirements like bonds for higher-value vehicles intact. The Motor Vehicle Division can no longer mandate notarization for these affidavits.
