Rep. Braxton Mitchell

Maddy summaryHB 201 establishes new disclosure requirements for individuals paid to gather signatures for petitions. These "paid signature gatherers" must verbally inform anyone they approach about their paid status and wear a badge stating this information. Additionally, they are required to disclose the state of their legal residence.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 7 (HJ 7) is a resolution from the Montana Legislature that congratulates Donald J. Trump on his inauguration as President of the United States. It expresses confidence in his leadership, offers best wishes for his term, and reaffirms Montana's commitment to partnering with the federal government. Copies of the resolution are to be transmitted to President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Montana's Congressional Delegation.

Maddy summaryHB 430 repeals existing state laws that outline the process for counties to establish and operate public weighing scales. This bill eliminates the legal framework that allowed counties to own and manage these scales, as well as the rules regarding their capacity, design, and associated fees. It also removes the provisions for appointing and regulating public weighers at such facilities. Consequently, counties will no longer have the statutory authority to create or manage public scales.

Maddy summaryHB 401 prohibits the manufacture, sale, holding, offering for sale, or distribution of "cell-cultured edible product" within Montana. This refers to meat produced via cell culture rather than from a slaughtered animal. The bill directly affects consumers by preventing access to these products and businesses by making such activities unlawful. Violations can lead to misdemeanor charges for individuals, including imprisonment, and disciplinary actions or license suspensions for retail food establishments. The department is also given authority to adopt rules to implement this prohibition.

Maddy summaryHB 400, titled the "Free to Speak Act," prohibits public schools and the state from taking disciplinary or adverse actions against students and employees. This protection applies if they decline to state their own pronouns or to address another person using a name, pronoun, or title that is inconsistent with that person's sex or not their legal name. The bill allows individuals harmed by such violations to bring a civil lawsuit seeking injunctive relief, monetary damages, and attorney fees. This act aims to protect specific speech choices for students and employees within public education and interactions with the state.

Maddy summaryHB 443 repeals existing state laws that require county governments to license transient retail merchants. This means traveling salespeople or temporary vendors will no longer need to obtain a license from counties to conduct business. The bill removes specific sections of the Montana Code Annotated that defined these merchants, outlined license requirements, fees, application processes, and enforcement provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 344 establishes a new type of driving under the influence (DUI) offense. This offense applies to both noncommercial and commercial drivers found to have a specified amount of prohibited substances, other than alcohol or marijuana, in their blood or other bodily fluids while operating a vehicle. The bill amends existing laws regarding drug concentration standards, driver rehabilitation program eligibility, and penalties for driving with a suspended or revoked license to incorporate this new offense.

Maddy summaryHB 267, also known as "Bobby's Law," creates the new crime of aggravated vehicular homicide while under the influence. This bill applies to individuals who negligently cause another person's death while operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Upon conviction, offenders face mandatory imprisonment ranging from 3 to 30 years, a fine between $10,000 and $50,000, or both. A key provision is that the imposition of this sentence cannot be deferred, meaning it must be served immediately upon conviction. The bill also updates existing statutes to include this new offense as a "serious crime" and to reflect the non-deferrable sentencing.

Maddy summaryHB 248 revises election laws concerning voter registration cancellation. The bill amends the reasons an election administrator must cancel a voter's registration. It now includes "an obituary" as a source for reporting an elector as deceased, in addition to existing methods like death certificates. Additionally, it specifies that an elector's registration will be canceled if they fail to respond to confirmation mailings, are placed on the inactive list, and subsequently do not vote in two consecutive federal general elections. These revisions directly affect the conditions under which an elector's registration is removed from active rolls.

Maddy summaryHB 179 revises Montana's election laws concerning inactive voter status. This bill clarifies the specific actions that will move a voter from the inactive list to the active list. It explicitly states that signing a petition for a statewide ballot issue will not reactivate an inactive voter. Instead, inactive voters must vote, update their address in writing, or complete a reactivation form with the county election administrator to be moved to the active list. This affects registered voters who are currently on the inactive list.