This bill establishes a Judicial Branch Independence Investigation Committee to evaluate the independence and quality of rulings by Montana district court judges and supreme court justices. The committee will consist of nine legislators, including five from the House of Representatives and four from the Senate, who will investigate judges and may set standards to assess the sufficiency of their rulings. The committee is authorized to contract for investigation services, report findings to the law and justice interim committee, and disseminate information broadly within its budget limits. Funded with $473,000 from the general fund, the committee must complete its work by September 15, 2028, and cannot meet during regular legislative sessions. The bill includes provisions for member compensation and becomes effective on July 1, 2025.
This Montana Senate resolution confirms Governor's appointment of Roger Hagan to the Board of Veterans' Affairs. The bill formally approves Hagan's nomination for a term ending August 1, 2025, in accordance with state law. Once confirmed, the resolution is sent to the Secretary of State and Governor to complete the appointment process. This procedural measure does not change policy but validates an existing executive appointment.
This bill confirms Governor's appointment of Jen Dalrymple to the Montana Board of Veterans' Affairs, allowing her to serve on the board until August 1, 2027. The resolution formally approves the appointment submitted by the Governor on January 16, 2025, following state law requirements for Senate concurrence. Once confirmed, the Senate will send copies of this resolution to the Secretary of State and the Governor to complete the appointment process. This action directly affects the composition of the veterans' affairs board and establishes Dalrymple's official role within the state agency.
This bill confirms the appointment of Jeff Meredith to the Montana Board of Investments, a state agency responsible for managing public investments. The resolution formally approves the governor's selection of Meredith to serve a term ending on January 2, 2029. By passing this measure, the Senate completes the legislative process required to finalize the appointment under state law.
This bill creates a statewide program in Montana that pairs new teachers with retired educators from the same school district to provide guidance and support. School districts can choose to participate on a case-by-case basis, allowing retired teachers to offer assistance such as classroom observation feedback, administrative help, and orientation to district policies for up to 36 hours over a three-month period. The program authorizes districts to compensate retired teachers on an hourly basis using a rate derived from the district's base pay, with state funding of $100,000 annually available to reimburse districts for these mentoring hours.
This bill would allow candidates for Montana's Supreme Court to indicate their political party affiliation on nomination forms and have that affiliation appear on primary and general election ballots. It also permits these candidates to publicly announce their party affiliation or campaign endorsements during their campaigns. The changes would modify existing election laws to treat Supreme Court races as partisan elections, requiring party names to appear next to candidates' names on ballots. This legislation directly affects judicial candidates, election administrators, and voters by altering how Supreme Court races are conducted and presented.
This bill confirms the appointment of Dean Folkvord to the Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education. The resolution formally approves the Governor's selection, allowing Dean Folkvord to serve a term ending February 1, 2031. By passing this measure, the Senate completes the legislative process required for the appointee to officially join the board. The document directs the Senate Secretary to send copies of the resolution to the Secretary of State and the Governor. This action affects the composition of the state's higher education governing body and ensures the appointment complies with state law.
This Montana Senate resolution confirms the governor's appointment of Michael Stone to the Board of Veterans' Affairs. The measure formally approves Stone's selection to serve a term ending August 1, 2027, as required by state law. By passing this resolution, the Senate completes the legislative process needed for the appointment to take effect. The document directs that copies be sent to the Secretary of State and the governor to finalize the procedure.
This Montana Senate resolution confirms the governor's appointment of Chauncey Parker to the Board of Veterans' Affairs. The bill formally approves Parker's selection to serve a term ending August 1, 2025, in accordance with state law. Once confirmed, the resolution will be sent to the Secretary of State and the governor to complete the appointment process. This procedural measure does not change policy but validates an administrative appointment to a veterans' oversight board.
This Montana joint resolution expresses support for Utah's legal challenge against the United States government regarding federal land ownership. The bill does not create new laws or policies but instead formally acknowledges Utah's lawsuit seeking to declare unconstitutional the federal policy of permanently retaining unappropriated public lands within Utah's borders. Utah argues that the federal government holds approximately 18.5 million acres of land without a specific purpose, preventing the state from exercising its full sovereign powers like taxation and land management. This resolution serves as a symbolic gesture of solidarity with Utah's legal position rather than establishing any new legal authority or policy changes.
This bill directs Montana's Legislative Council to conduct an interim study on creating an interstate compact for electric transmission infrastructure development. The study will examine legal frameworks, economic impacts, and best practices for cooperative agreements among states to improve energy grid reliability and reduce costs for ratepayers. Key tasks include analyzing how to streamline permitting processes, ensure fair cost-sharing, and incorporate market-based principles while respecting state sovereignty. The study must be completed by September 15, 2026, with final results reported to the next Montana Legislature.
This bill confirms Governor's appointment of Mike Milburn to the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council. The resolution formally approves his selection for a term ending on January 2, 2029, as required by Montana state law. Once confirmed, the Senate will send a copy of the resolution to the Secretary of State and the Governor to complete the appointment process. This action allows the appointee to officially serve on the regional council that coordinates power and conservation planning across the Pacific Northwest.
