Rep. George Nikolakakos

Primary HB 605

Vetoed · Montana House · Lead sponsor

Revise criminal laws related to strip searches

Maddy summaryHB 605 proposed revisions to criminal laws concerning strip searches for individuals entering correctional facilities. The bill would have allowed a person to be subjected to a strip search if they were to be housed in a jail or correctional facility for more than 12 hours. This provision would have created an exception to the existing requirement that individuals arrested for traffic or non-felony offenses can only be strip-searched if there is reasonable suspicion they are concealing a weapon, contraband, or evidence. The change would have permitted strip searches based on the anticipated length of detention, regardless of the initial offense type or specific suspicion for the search.

Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill removes reasonable suspicion requirement for strip searches in correctional facilities, reducing defendant rights and weakening existing protections.90% confidence

Vetoed May 13, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 708

Signed into law · Montana House · Lead sponsor

Allow all persons serving in the reserves to be eligible for certain CDL waiver

Maddy summaryHB 708 expands eligibility for Commercial Driver's License (CDL) waivers to include individuals serving or honorably discharged after serving full-time in a reserve component of the U.S. armed forces. It amends state law by redefining "current or former military service member" to specifically include these reserve component members. This allows qualifying service members to apply for a waiver of the CDL skills test, knowledge test, or both. To be granted a waiver, applicants must meet specific criteria related to their military driving experience and maintain a clean driving record.

VeteransSupports VeteransExpands CDL waiver eligibility for reserve veterans, improving employment access - a direct benefit supporting veteran workforce integration.95% confidence

Signed into law May 13, 2025 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 553

Signed into law · Montana House · Lead sponsor

Generally revise military higher education act

Maddy summaryHB 553, titled "Generally revise military higher education act," updates laws related to higher education for military members. It requires faculty at educational institutions to provide eligible students with a make-up opportunity for coursework, assignments, exams, or finals missed due to inactive duty training or annual training. Faculty must give at least 15 business days for students to complete this make-up work, consistent with accreditation requirements. The bill also defines "inactive duty training" and "annual training" to support these provisions, affecting members of the U.S. armed forces reserve components or the Montana national guard enrolled in higher education.

EducationSupports EducationEnsures military students can complete missed coursework via make-up opportunities, enhancing educational access for this group within higher education.90% confidence

Signed into law May 8, 2025 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 53

Signed into law · Montana House · Lead sponsor

Revise law allowing for troop labor to execute projects

Maddy summaryHB 53 amends Montana's public contract law to explicitly allow military personnel from the Department of Military Affairs to perform construction or improvement projects on state buildings or grounds without requiring competitive bidding. This change directly affects state military projects, removing the $150,000 bidding requirement that normally applies to such work. The bill adds a new exception to the existing law (Section 18-2-301, MCA) that previously excluded inmate labor and specific historic preservation work at Bannack but did not cover military labor. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2028, aligning with the law's inflation adjustment cycle for the bidding threshold.

Signed into law Apr 7, 2025 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 830

Signed into law · Montana House · Lead sponsor

Optional alternative property tax payment schedule for primary residences

Signed into law May 22, 2023 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 947

Signed into law · Montana House · Lead sponsor

Revise election laws

Signed into law May 19, 2023 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 189

Signed into law · Montana House · Lead sponsor

Revise property tax assistance program

Signed into law May 19, 2023 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 82

died · Montana House · Lead sponsor

Create Montana national guard enlistment incentive program

died May 8, 2023 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 829

died · Montana House · Lead sponsor

Establish a Montana workforce housing tax credit

died May 3, 2023 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 429

died · Montana House · Lead sponsor

Require notification of mobile home park sale with a right to purchase

died May 3, 2023 0 co-sponsors Track