HB 512 mandates that all new school buses purchased on or after January 1, 2026, must be equipped with lap-shoulder belts for each passenger. School districts using these buses would be required to adopt and enforce a seat belt usage policy and ensure belts are properly maintained. The bill provides exceptions for school districts that cannot afford such buses, following a public vote. Additionally, it limits the liability of the state, counties, and school districts in personal injury cases where passengers fail to use or improperly use the belts, provided an enforceable policy is in place.
This resolution confirms Governor's appointment of Dean Folkvord to the Board of Regents of Higher Education. It directly affects the Board by formally approving Folkvord's appointment for a term ending February 1, 2031. The resolution follows Montana law requiring Senate confirmation of gubernatorial appointments to this board. As a procedural confirmation, it does not change policies or create new obligations.
This Senate Resolution (SR 70) confirms Governor's appointment of Heather Hoyer to the Board of Regents of Higher Education for a term ending February 1, 2032. It is a procedural resolution formally approving the governor's appointment, as required by Montana law (section 5-5-302, MCA). The resolution does not create new policy or affect any specific legislation - it simply validates an existing appointment to the state's higher education governing board.
This is a procedural resolution confirming Governor's appointment of Raina Mortenson to the Board of Regents of Higher Education for a term ending July 1, 2025. It does not create new policy but formally approves the governor's appointment as required by Montana law (Section 5-5-302, MCA). The Senate adopted this resolution on April 5, 2025, to complete the confirmation process. This action directly affects the Board of Regents' composition and the governor's authority to appoint board members.
SR 26 is a Senate resolution confirming Governor's appointments to Montana's Historical Society Board of Trustees. It formally approves six individuals (Kim Briggeman, Tim Fox, Peter Johnson, William Jones, Rachel Reckin, and Candi Zion) for terms ending in 2028 or 2029, as required by Montana law (MCA § 5-5-302). This procedural resolution does not create new policy but validates the governor's appointments for the board, which oversees state historical preservation efforts. The Senate adopted the resolution on April 1, 2025.
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.
HB 24 clarifies Montana's kindergarten instructional hour requirements, directly affecting public school districts and kindergarten programs. It specifies that half-time kindergarten must provide 360 hours and full-time kindergarten 720 hours annually, aligning with existing sections of Montana law (20-1-301, 20-7-117). The bill amends related statutes to ensure these hour requirements are explicitly defined for funding and compliance purposes. Signed into law by the Governor on April 7, 2025, it establishes clear standards for kindergarten programming without altering funding formulas or creating new penalties.
HB 118 revises Montana's participation in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (Section 20-1-230, MCA). It clarifies the Compact Commission's authority to set annual assessments based on the number of military-connected students in Montana and updates references to U.S. Code. The bill directly affects military children (K-12) and their families moving between states, as well as Montana schools and education agencies. Key mechanisms include standardizing enrollment processes, ensuring seamless transfer of education records, and supporting placement without disadvantage due to frequent moves or deployments. The changes aim to remove barriers to educational continuity for military-connected students across state lines.
This Senate Resolution (SR 9) confirms five appointments made by Montana's Governor to the Montana Arts Council. It specifically approves the appointments of Angella Ahn (Bozeman), Corky Clairmont (Ronan), Cathryn McIntyre (Glasgow), Jay Pyette (Havre), and Steve Zabel (Bozeman), each to serve until February 1, 2028. The resolution follows standard procedure for confirming executive appointments to state councils under Montana law. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new policy but formally approves existing appointments.
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