Sen. Pat Flowers

Maddy summaryThis is a procedural resolution (not a law) requesting an interim study of how Montana's legislature handles procurement (buying goods/services) and how leadership funds for House/Senate leaders are allocated and spent. The study, due by September 2026, will examine procurement processes, training needs for leadership staff, public transparency, and potential changes to the Montana Procurement Act as it applies to the legislature. It does not change current laws or create new requirements. The resolution died in committee on May 23, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 63 prohibits hunters from using electronic motion-tracking devices that track game animal movement and relay location information to the hunter during hunting activities or within the same calendar day. It also bans sharing such animal locations with others to aid hunting. The law specifically exempts radio-tracking collars on hunting dogs from this restriction. Violations could result in fines up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or loss of hunting privileges. The bill amends Montana's hunting code to clarify these restrictions, effective upon passage.

Maddy summarySB 460 would have required Montana's Department of Environmental Quality to ensure protection of surface and groundwater from open-cut mining operations. The bill amended state law to specifically mandate the department adopt rules for permits, records, and inspections, and to enforce water quality and quantity standards during mining activities. This would directly affect open-cut mining operations statewide by imposing new regulatory requirements on their water protection measures. The bill did not advance beyond committee and died in the 2025 legislative session.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 28 requests an interim study by the Legislative Council on ethics processes for the Montana Legislature. The study will focus on developing a procedure for adjudicating ethics issues within the legislature and identifying any overlaps or gaps in authority with the Commissioner of Political Practices. It will also consider necessary revisions to the existing code of ethics and legislative rules. The final results, including recommendations, are to be reported to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 64 clarifies how legislators are compensated and reimbursed for expenses when the legislature is not in session. It establishes new guidelines for their salary, meal allowances, mileage, and lodging costs when they are engaged in authorized legislative business, such as committee meetings. The bill differentiates between remote participation and in-person attendance, with in-person compensation and expenses tiered based on the round-trip distance a legislator travels from their residence to the meeting location. It also outlines additional compensation for consecutive days of legislative business and specifies that legislators are not compensated for extended stays due to non-legislative activities.