Rep. Connie Keogh

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 361 sought to establish state funding for school districts serving English language learners and provide professional stipends for their teachers. It proposed state matching funds for public school districts that receive federal subgrants for programs supporting students with limited English proficiency. The bill also aimed to provide annual stipends of up to $500 for qualified teachers holding specific certifications in English as a Second Language or culturally and linguistically diverse education. Teachers meeting these qualifications and working in high-poverty or impacted schools could receive an enhanced stipend of up to $1,000, with both the state and school districts contributing to these payments.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution (HJ 67) requests an interim study of how federal funding changes might affect Montana's Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE). The study, to be conducted by the Legislative Finance Committee, will analyze impacts on agency operations, budgets, personnel reductions, and program sustainability due to potential federal funding shifts. It requires findings to be reported to the 70th Legislature by September 2026. As a procedural study resolution, it does not enact policy but seeks to inform future legislative decisions.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 21 (HJ 21) is a resolution from the Montana State Legislature requesting the United States Congress and federal Executive Branch to secure and strengthen Social Security. The resolution asks the federal government to increase Social Security funding without making any cuts to benefits. This action is intended to ensure Social Security benefits are secure for current and future generations for the next 75 years and beyond. It highlights Social Security's importance to over 250,000 Montanans, including retirees, survivors, and individuals receiving disability benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 151 revises education laws related to recruitment, retention, and the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind. The bill makes educational sign language interpreters eligible for the quality educator payment and loan assistance program. It also expands the types of educational entities that can receive incentives for meeting starting teacher pay benchmarks and participate in the teacher residency program. Finally, it allows the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind to transport resident students between their homes and the school using a school bus.

Maddy summaryHB 184 revises various Montana laws to update language pertaining to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. The bill specifically amends multiple sections of the Montana Code Annotated to modify terminology that may diminish the dignity of these individuals. This legislative action aims to ensure more respectful and inclusive language is used throughout state statutes. The changes directly affect the legal framework by updating how individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing are described within Montana law.