Sen. Wendy McKamey

Maddy summarySB 499 updates Montana's voter list maintenance rules to specifically require election administrators to verify permanent address changes (not temporary ones) using U.S. Postal Service data. It mandates sending address confirmation notices to voters who've changed their permanent address and moving non-responsive voters to an inactive list after 30 days. This affects voters who move permanently but don't update their address with the U.S. Postal Service, particularly those receiving absentee ballots. The bill also requires biennial address confirmations for absentee ballot voters to continue receiving ballots at their updated permanent address.

Maddy summarySB 8 would allow Montana voters to register online through the Secretary of State’s website, eliminating the need for paper forms. Applicants must provide a Montana driver’s license number (or alternative ID like a passport), confirm their information is accurate, and consent to using their driver’s license signature. The system would verify details against DMV records; mismatches would trigger rejection with written notice. Online registration would pause 30 days before elections and resume the day after. The bill was introduced but died in committee in 2025 (no effective date achieved).

Maddy summarySB 287 creates the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust to manage volatile state revenues, including transferring funds to new specialized accounts like Montana Water Development, Better Local Bridges, and Early Childhood. It modifies property tax assistance by requiring homeowners to certify primary residences (with penalties for false claims) and directing county credits to eligible homeowners. The bill establishes rules for distributing trust interest income to state accounts, limits volatile revenue transfers during budget deficits, and revises pension fund transfers. These changes directly affect state finance agencies, local governments, and homeowners applying for property tax credits. The bill also creates a Montana Housing Trust and updates reporting requirements for state funds.

Maddy summarySB 47 requires Montana's legislative committees to review proposed statewide ballot initiatives after a court determines they are legally sufficient. This bill directly affects initiative proponents (who submit proposals), the secretary of state (who administers ballot processes), and legislative committees (who must now conduct a mandatory review). The key mechanism adds a new step: if a court finds an initiative legally valid, the secretary of state must refer it to legislative committees for review before finalizing ballot language. This changes the existing process, which previously only required attorney general review after court approval. The bill aims to strengthen legislative oversight of ballot measures before they appear on voter ballots.

Maddy summarySB 497 establishes laws for professional wellness programs aimed at addressing career fatigue in healthcare providers, including physicians, nurses, and dentists. The bill grants civil immunity to members and consultants of these wellness programs for actions performed within their duties. It revises reporting requirements, stating that participation in a wellness program alone does not obligate reporting a healthcare provider to their licensing board, unless there is a good faith determination of incompetence or danger. Additionally, the bill provides an evidentiary privilege, generally protecting the proceedings and records of these programs from discovery in civil actions or admission in licensing actions.

Maddy summarySB 7 revised the retirement eligibility criteria for members of the Highway Patrol Officers' Retirement System (HPORS) and the Sheriffs' Retirement System (SRS). It removed the requirement for members hired on or after July 1, 2023, to reach age 50 in addition to completing 20 years of service to be eligible for retirement benefits. This change would allow all members, regardless of hire date, to qualify for service retirement after 20 years of membership service. The bill was intended to apply retroactively to those hired on or after July 1, 2023, and take immediate effect.

Maddy summarySB 227 revises the laws governing various professional licensing boards, including those for medicine, optometry, and veterinary medicine. The bill eliminates the requirement for individual boards to maintain their own seals, instead standardizing the process for authenticating official documents. It also clarifies the responsibilities of these boards and removes redundant or conflicting provisions in their existing organizational statutes. This aims to streamline administrative procedures for professional licensure across the state.

Maddy summarySB 498 revises the preparation procedures for primary elections, specifically for election judges before counting votes. The bill clarifies that the requirement for election judges to separate and count each political party's ballots separately applies only to counties where ballots are solely counted by hand. Other duties, such as reconciling total party ballots, listing party candidates, and bundling party ballots separately, remain in effect for all primary elections. This adjustment affects election judges and administrators by narrowing the scope of certain ballot preparation steps in primary elections.

Maddy summarySR 83 is a procedural resolution that confirms the Governor's appointment of Major General J. Peter Hronek as the Director of the Department of Military Affairs, also known as the Adjutant General. The Senate voted to concur with this appointment.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 242 revises election laws to enhance uniformity in ballot design and appearance across the state. It mandates the Secretary of State to adopt statewide uniform rules for ballot forms, addressing elements like how ballots are corrected and provisions for write-in candidates. The bill requires that all candidate names on a ballot must appear in the same font size and style. Additionally, it specifies that the words "official ballot" must be printed directly on the ballot, ensuring no part of the mark appears on the stub.