Senate rules resolution

69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1
2 INTRODUCED BY T. MCGILLVRAY
3 BY REQUEST OF THE (S) RULES
4
5 A RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA ADOPTING THE SENATE RULES.
6
7 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
8 That the following Senate Rules be adopted:
9RULES OF THE MONTANA
10SENATE
11CHAPTER 1
12Administration
13S10-10. Officers of the Senate. The officers of the Senate include a president, a president pro
14 tempore, a majority leader, a minority leader, and majority and minority whips.
15S10-20. Term of officers. The term of office for the officers and employees of the Senate established
16 by rule is until the succeeding Legislature is organized. This rule may not be construed to mean that short-term
17 session staff will be full-time employees during an interim.
18S10-30. President, President pro tempore, and other officers. (1) The Senate shall, at the
19 beginning of each regular session, and at other times as may be necessary, elect a Senator as President and a
20 Senator as President pro tempore.
21 (2) The Senate shall choose its other officers and is the judge of the elections, returns, and
22 qualifications of the Senators.
23S10-40. Voting by presiding officer. Any Senator, when acting as presiding officer of the Senate,
24 shall vote as any other Senator.
25S10-50. Presiding officer and duties. (1) The presiding officer of the Senate is the President of the
26 Senate, who must be chosen in accordance with law.
27 (2) The President shall take the chair on every legislative day at the hour to which the Senate
28 adjourned at the last sitting.
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 (3) The President may name a Senator to perform the duties of the President when the President pro
2 tempore is not present in the Senate chamber. The Senator who is named is vested during that time with all the
3 powers of the President.
4 (4) The President has general control over the assignment of rooms for the Senate and shall preserve
5 order and decorum. The President may order the galleries and lobbies cleared in case of disturbance or
6 disorderly conduct.
7 (5) The President shall sign or electronically authenticate all necessary certifications of the Senate,
8 including enrolled bills and resolutions, journals, and subpoenas. The President's signature or electronic
9 authentication must be attested by the Secretary of the Senate.
10 (6) The President shall approve the calendar for each legislative day.
11 (7) The President is the chief administrative officer of the Senate, with authority for the general
12 supervision of all Senate employees.
13 (8) The President of the Senate is the authorized approving authority of the Senate during the term of
14 election to that office.
15 (9) The President shall refer bills to committee upon introduction or reception in the office of the
16 Secretary of the Senate.
17S10-60. Succession. (1) In case of the absence or disqualification of the President, the President pro
18 tempore of the Senate shall perform the duties of the President until the vacancy is filled or the disability
19 removed.
20 (2) Whenever the President pro tempore of the Senate is of the opposite political party from that of the
21 President, the following procedure applies:
22 (a) If the President dies while in office, the members of the Senate have the right to immediately
23 nominate and elect an acting President of the same party.
24 (b) If the President is absent for 2 or more legislative days or at any time after the 85th legislative day
25 or at any time during special session of the Legislature and wants to appoint an acting President during the
26 President's absence, the President may do so, or the members of the Senate have the right to immediately
27 nominate and elect an acting President of the President's caucus.
28 (c) An acting President of the Senate has the powers of the President and supersedes the powers of
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 3 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 the President pro tempore.
2S10-70. President-elect. The President-elect nominated by the appropriate party caucus has the
3 responsibility and authority to assume the duties of President of the Senate.
4S10-90. Majority Leader. The primary functions of the majority leader usually relate to floor duties. The
5 duties of the majority leader may include but are not limited to:
6 (1) being the lead speaker for the majority party during floor debates;
7 (2) arranging legislation on the Committee of the Whole agenda in the order in which the bills will be
8 considered, unless otherwise ordered by the Senate or Committee of the Whole;
9 (3) helping the President develop the calendar;
10 (4) assisting the President with program development, policy formation, and policy decisions;
11 (5) presiding over the majority caucus meetings;
12 (6) serving as chair or designee of the rules committee; and
13 (7) other duties as assigned by the caucus.
14S10-100. Majority Whip. The duties of the majority whip may include but are not limited to:
15 (1) assisting the majority leader;
16 (2) ensuring member attendance;
17 (3) counting votes;
18 (4) generally communicating the majority position; and
19 (5) other duties as assigned by the caucus.
20S10-110. Minority Leader. The minority leader is the principal leader of the minority caucus. The
21 duties of the minority leader may include but are not limited to:
22 (1) developing the minority position;
23 (2) negotiating with the majority party;
24 (3) directing minority caucus activities on the chamber floor;
25 (4) leading debate for the minority; and
26 (5) other duties as assigned by the caucus.
27S10-120. Minority Whip. The major responsibilities for the minority whip may include but are not
28 limited to:
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 4 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 (1) assisting the minority leader on the floor;
2 (2) counting votes;
3 (3) ensuring attendance of minority party members; and
4 (4) other duties as assigned by the caucus.
5S10-130. Senate employees. (1) In addition to the employees appointed by the President, the Senate
6 shall employ staff recommended by the leadership as necessary to perform the functions of the Senate.
7 (2) The Secretary of the Senate shall designate a secretary to take and prepare electronic audio
8 recording logs of committee meetings for each standing committee. A committee secretary is immediately
9 responsible to the chair, but shall work under the overall direction of the Secretary of the Senate, subject to
10 authority of the committee chair.
11 (3) The President, majority leader, and minority leader may each appoint a private secretary.
12S10-140. Secretary of the Senate and duties. The Secretary of the Senate works under the direction
13 of the President. The responsibilities of the Secretary of the Senate include:
14 (1) performing the duties prescribed by law or other provisions of these rules;
15 (2) compiling and maintaining the calendar for approval by the President;
16 (3) keeping the leadership informed on the progress and workload of the Senate;
17 (4) transmitting bills with appropriate messages to the House of Representatives as instructed by action
18 of the Senate;
19 (5) keeping and maintaining records of the Senate; and
20 (6) supervision of the Senate employees, except as otherwise provided.
21S10-150. Sergeant-at-Arms duties. Under the direction of the President and the Secretary of the
22 Senate, the Sergeant-at-Arms shall:
23 (1) maintain order as directed by the President or chair of the Committee of the Whole;
24 (2) enforce the lobbying rules of the Senate;
25 (3) supervise the employees assigned to the Sergeant's office;
26 (4) receive, distribute, and maintain supplies, equipment, and other inventory of the Senate, along with
27 records of purchase and disposal in accordance with law;
28 (5) issue floor passes to qualified applicants as provided in S20-55; and
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 5 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 (6) perform duties as required by other rules and the Senate.
2S10-160. Legislative interns. Each Senator may designate one person of legal age to serve as an
3 intern during the session. Exceptions to this policy may be approved by the Rules Committee. The Senator
4 shall register an intern with the Secretary of the Senate and arrange for the purchase of a name tag with the
5 Sergeant- at-Arms.
6S10-170. Senate journal. (1) The Senate shall keep and authenticate a journal of its proceedings as
7 required by law and the rules.
8 (2) The Secretary of the Senate will supervise the preparation of the journal by the journal clerks.
9 (3) In addition to the proceedings required by law to be recorded, the journal must include:
10 (a) committee reports;
11 (b) every motion, the name of the Senator presenting it, and its disposition;
12 (c) the introduction of legislation in the Senate;
13 (d) consideration of legislation subsequent to introduction;
14 (e) roll call votes;
15 (f) messages from the Governor and the House of Representatives;
16 (g) every amendment, the name of the Senator presenting it, and its disposition;
17 (h) the names of Senators and their votes on any question upon a request by two Senators before a
18 vote is taken; and
19 (i) any other records the Senate directs by rule or action.
20 (4) The Secretary of the Senate shall provide information that may be necessary for the preparation of
21 the daily journal for printing by the Legislative Services Division. Upon approval by the President, the daily
22 journal must be reproduced and made available.
23 (5) Any Senator may examine the daily journal and propose corrections. Without objection by the
24 Senate, the President may direct the correction to be made.
25 (6) The President shall authenticate the original daily journal, from time to time, and the Secretary of
26 the Senate shall, as appropriate, deliver it to the Legislative Services Division to be prepared for publication and
27 distribution in accordance with law.
28CHAPTER 2
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 6 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1Decorum
2S20-10. Questions of order -- appeal. The President of the Senate shall decide all questions of order,
3 subject to an appeal by any Senator seconded by two other Senators. A Senator may not speak more than
4 once on an appeal without the consent of a majority of the Senate.
5S20-20. Violation of rules -- call to order -- appeal. (1) If a Senator, in speaking or otherwise, violates
6 the rules of the Senate, the President shall, or the majority leader or minority floor leader may, call the Senator
7 to order, in which case the Senator called to order must be seated immediately.
8 (2) The Senator called to order may move for an appeal to the Senate, and if the motion is seconded by
9 two Senators, the matter must be submitted to the Senate for determination by majority vote. The motion is
10 nondebatable.
11 (3) If the decision of the Senate is in favor of the Senator called to order, the Senator may proceed. If
12 the decision is against the Senator, the Senator may not proceed.
13 (4) If a Senator is called to order, the matter may be referred to the Rules Committee by the minority or
14 majority leader. The Committee may recommend to the Senate that the Senator be censured or be subject to
15 other action. Censure consists of an official public reprimand of a Senator for inappropriate behavior. The
16 Senate shall act upon the recommendation of the Committee.
17S20-30. Questions of privilege -- restrictions. (1) Questions of privilege in order of precedence are
18 those:
19 (a) affecting the collective rights, safety, dignity, or integrity of the proceedings of the Senate; and
20 (b) affecting the rights, reputation, or conduct of individual Senators in their capacity as Senators.
21 (2) A Senator may not address the Senate on a question of privilege between the time:
22 (a) an undebatable motion is offered and the vote is taken on the motion;
23 (b) the previous question is ordered and the vote is taken on the proposition included under the
24 previous question;
25 (c) a motion to lay on the table is offered and the vote is taken on the motion; or
26 (d) a bill sponsor closes on the bill and the question is called by the presiding officer with a vote taken
27 on the motion.
28S20-40. Recognition by chair. A Senator desiring to speak shall indicate to the presiding officer and,
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 7 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 once being recognized, shall speak. When two or more Senators indicate a desire to speak at the same time,
2 the presiding officer shall determine the order of the speakers.
3S20-50. Floor privileges. (1) When the Senate is in session no person is permitted in the chambers
4 except:
5 (a) legislators;
6 (b) legislative officers and employees whose presence is necessary for the conduct of business of the
7 session;
8 (c) representatives of the media with a floor pass; and
9 (d) former legislators (not currently registered as lobbyists).
10 (2) The President may make exceptions for visiting dignitaries.
11 (3) Beginning 1 hour before and ending one-half hour after adjournment, no person is permitted in the
12 chambers except those authorized as exceptions under subsection (1) or (2).
13S20-55. Representatives of the media -- floor pass. (1) Representatives of the media are not
14 permitted in chambers without a valid floor pass.
15 (2) The Sergeant-at-Arms, at the direction of the President, controls when and where individuals with a
16 floor pass will be granted access to chambers. An individual with a floor pass is not guaranteed access to the
17 floor and may be denied future access for violating rules of decorum.
18S20-60. Communications to Senate. A communication to the Senate must be addressed to the
19 President and must bear the name of the person submitting it. The President shall decide if the communication
20 bears including in the calendar.
21S20-70. Distribution of materials on floor -- exception. (1) Subject to subsection (2), material may
22 not be distributed on the Senators' desks in the chamber unless the material bears the signature of the bearer
23 and a Senator and has been approved by the President.
24 (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to material written by staff at the request of a Senator and placed on
25 the Senator's desk.
26CHAPTER 3
27Committees
28S30-10. Committee appointments. (1) There is a Committee on Committees consisting of six
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 8 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 members of the majority party. If the Senate is evenly divided between parties, the committee shall consist of
2 six Senators, three from the majority party and three from the minority party.
3 (2) The Committee on Committees shall, with the approval of the Senate, appoint the members of
4 Senate standing committees, joint committees, and interim committees. Prior to making committee
5 assignments, the Committee on Committees shall take into consideration the recommendations of the minority
6 leader for minority committee assignments.
7 (3) The minority leader shall designate the ranking minority member for each standing committee.
8 (4) The President of the Senate shall appoint all conference committees and select committees, with
9 the advice of the majority leader and minority leader.
10 (5) The Senate may change the membership of any committee on 1 day's notice.
11S30-20. Standing committees -- classification. (1) The standing committees of the Senate are as
12 follows:
13 (a) class one committees:
14 (i) Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs;
15 (ii) Executive Branch Review;
16 (II) Finance and Claims;
17 (III) Judiciary; and
18 (IV) Taxation;
19 (b) class two committees:
20 (i) Highways and Transportation;
21 (ii) Local Government;
22 (iii) Natural Resources;
23 (iv) Public Health, Welfare, and Safety; and
24 (v) State Administration;
25 (c) class three committees:
26 (i) Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation;
27 (ii) Education and Cultural Resources;
28 (iii) Energy, Technology, and Federal Relations; and
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 9 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 (iv) Fish and Game; and
2 (d) on-call committees:
3 (i) Ethics;
4 (ii) Legislative Administration; and
5 (iii) Rules.
6 (2) A class 1 committee is scheduled to meet Monday through Friday. A class 2 committee is
7 scheduled to meet Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. A class 3 committee is scheduled to meet Tuesday and
8 Thursday. Unless a class is prescribed for a committee, it meets upon the call of the chair.
9 (3) The Legislative Council shall review the workload of the standing committees to determine if any
10 change is indicated in the class of a standing committee for the next legislative session. The Legislative
11 Council's recommendations must be submitted to the leadership nominated or elected at the presession
12 caucus.
13S30-40. Ex officio members -- quorum. (1) A quorum of a committee is a majority of the members of
14 the committee. A quorum of a committee must be physically or remotely present at a meeting to act officially. A
15 quorum of a committee may transact business, and a majority of the quorum, even though it is a minority of the
16 committee, is sufficient for committee action.
17 (2) The President, the majority leader, and the minority leader are ex officio nonvoting members of all
18 committees in order to establish a quorum. As ex officio nonvoting members of a committee, the President,
19 majority leader, and minority leader have the privileges of a committee member pursuant to S30-70(13)(a),
20 (13)(c), and (13)(d).
21S30-50. Chair's duties. (1) The chair of a committee is the presiding officer of that committee and is
22 responsible for:
23 (a) maintaining order within the committee room and its environs;
24 (b) scheduling hearings and executive action;
25 (c) supervising committee work, including the appointment of subcommittees to act on a formal or
26 informal basis;
27 (d) authenticating committee reports by signing them and submitting them promptly to the Secretary of
28 the Senate. The chair shall sign business reports reflecting action taken in each committee meeting that enable
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 10 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 the preparation of committee audio recording logs.
2 (e) enforcing fire code occupancy requirements.
3 (2) The Secretary of the Senate shall arrange to have the audio recording log copied in an electronic
4 format. An electronic copy will be provided to the Legislative Services Division.
5S30-60. Meetings -- notice -- purpose -- audio recording log. (1) All meetings of committees must
6 be open to the public at all times, subject always to the power and authority of the chair to maintain safety,
7 order, and decorum. The date, time, and place of committee meetings must be announced.
8 (2) Notice of a committee hearing must be made by posting the date, time, and subject of the hearing
9 online and in a conspicuous public place not less than 3 legislative days in advance of the hearing. This 3-day
10 notice requirement does not apply to hearings scheduled:
11 (a) prior to the third legislative day;
12 (b) less than 10 legislative days before the transmittal deadline applicable to the subject of the hearing;
13 (c) to consider confirmation of a gubernatorial appointment received less than 10 legislative days
14 before the last scheduled day of a legislative session; or
15 (d) due to appropriate circumstances.
16 (3) When a committee hearing is scheduled with less than 3 days' notice, the committee chair shall use
17 all practical means to disseminate notice of the hearing to the public.
18 (4) Notice of conference committee hearings must be given as provided in Joint Rule 30-30.
19 (5) A committee or subcommittee may be assembled for:
20 (a) a public hearing at which testimony is to be heard and at which official action may be taken on bills,
21 resolutions, or other matters;
22 (b) a formal meeting at which the committees may discuss and take official action on bills, resolutions,
23 or other matters without testimony; or
24 (c) a work session at which the committee may discuss bills, resolutions, or other matters but take no
25 formal action.
26 (6) All committees meet at the call of the chair or upon the request of a majority of the members of the
27 committee.
28 (7) A committee may not meet during the time the Senate is in session without leave of the President.
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 11 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 Any Senator attending a meeting while the Senate is in session must be considered excused to attend business
2 of the Senate subject to a call of the Senate.
3 (8) All meetings of committees must be recorded and the audio recording log must be available to the
4 public within a reasonable time after the meeting. The official record of the committee meeting is the audio
5 recording of the meeting and the audio recording log must contain at least the following information:
6 (a) the time and place of each meeting of the committee;
7 (b) committee members physically or remotely present, excused, or absent;
8 (c) the names, cities, and states of persons appearing before the committee, whom each represents,
9 and whether the person is a proponent, opponent, or other witness;
10 (d) all motions and their disposition;
11 (e) the results of all votes; and
12 (f) all testimony and exhibits.
13 (9) If a bill is heard in a joint committee, it must be referred to a standing committee. The standing
14 committee is not required to hold an additional hearing but shall take executive action and may report the bill to
15 the Committee of the Whole.
16 (10) A bill or resolution may not be considered or become a law unless referred to a committee and
17 returned from a committee.
18 (11) A bill may be rereferred at any time before its passage.
19S30-70. Procedures -- member privileges. (1) The chair shall notify the sponsor of any bill pending
20 before the committee of the time and place it will be considered.
21 (2) A standing or select committee may not hear legislation unless the sponsor or one of the
22 cosponsors is physically or remotely present or unless the sponsor has given written consent.
23 (3) (a) Subject to subsection (3)(b), the committee shall act on each bill in its possession:
24 (i) by reporting the bill out of the committee:
25 (A) with the recommendation that it be referred to another committee;
26 (B) favorably as to passage; or
27 (C) unfavorably; or
28 (ii) by tabling the measure in committee.
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 12 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 (b) At the written request of the sponsor made at least 48 hours prior to a scheduled hearing, a
2 committee shall finally dispose of a bill without a hearing. Except as provided in S30-60(9), a bill may not be
3 reported from a committee without a hearing.
4 (4) The committee may not report a bill to the Senate without recommendation.
5 (5) In reporting a measure out of committee, a committee shall include in its report:
6 (a) the measure in the form reported out;
7 (b) the recommendation of the committee;
8 (c) an identification of all proposed changes; and
9 (d) a fiscal note, if required.
10 (6) If a measure is taken from a committee and brought to the Senate floor for debate on second
11 reading on that day without a committee recommendation, the bill does not include amendments formally
12 adopted by the committee because committee amendments are merely recommendations to the Senate that
13 are formally adopted when the committee report is accepted by the Senate.
14 (7) A second to any motion offered in a committee is not required in order for the motion to be
15 considered by the committee.
16 (8) The vote of each member on all committee actions must be recorded and reported in the committee
17 audio recording log. All motions may be adopted only on the affirmative vote of a majority of the members
18 voting.
19 (9) A motion to take a bill from the table may be adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
20 members physically or remotely present at any meeting of the committee.
21 (10) An action formally taken by a committee may not be altered in the committee except by
22 reconsideration and further formal action of the committee.
23 (11) A committee may reconsider any action as long as the matter remains in the possession of the
24 committee. A bill is in the possession of the committee until a report on the bill is made to the Committee of the
25 Whole. A committee member need not have voted with the prevailing side in order to move reconsideration.
26 (12) The chair shall decide points of order.
27 (13) The privileges of committee members, present physically or remotely, include the following:
28 (a) to participate freely in committee discussions and debate;
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 13 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 (b) to offer motions;
2 (c) to assert points of order and privilege;
3 (d) to question witnesses upon recognition by the chair;
4 (e) to offer any amendment to any bill; and
5 (f) to vote, either by being present or by proxy, using a standard form.
6 (14) Any meeting of a committee held through the use of telephone or other electronic communication
7 must be conducted in accordance with Chapter 3 of the Senate Rules.
8 (15) A committee may consolidate into one bill any two or more related bills referred to it whenever
9 legislation may be simplified by the consolidation.
10 (16) Committee procedure must be informal, but when any questions arise on committee procedure,
11 the rules or practices of the Senate are applicable except as stated in the Senate Rules.
12S30-80. Public testimony -- decorum -- time restrictions. (1) Subject to Joint Rule 30-05, remote or
13 in-person testimony from proponents, opponents, and informational witnesses must be allowed on every bill or
14 resolution before a standing or select committee. All persons, other than the sponsor, offering testimony shall
15 register on the committee witness list or by electronic means.
16 (2) (a) Any person wishing to offer testimony to a committee hearing a bill or resolution must be given a
17 reasonable opportunity to do so, orally or in writing, subject to time constraints. Written testimony may not be
18 required of any witness, but all witnesses may submit a statement in writing for the committee's official record.
19 (b) A person who is an employee of the state or a political subdivision of the state that is offering
20 testimony on behalf of the state or political subdivision shall state in the person's oral or written testimony the
21 specific entity or state officeholder that they are representing.
22 (3) The chair may order actions to maintain order in the committee meeting. During committee
23 meetings, visitors may not speak unless called upon by the chair. Restrictions on time available for testimony
24 may be announced.
25 (4) The number of people in a committee room may not exceed the maximum posted by the State Fire
26 Marshall. The chair shall maintain that limit.
27 (5) In any committee meeting, the use of cameras, television, radio, or any form of telecommunication
28 equipment is allowed, but the chair may designate the areas of the hearing room from which the equipment
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 14 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 must be operated. Cell phone use is at the discretion of the chair.
2S30-100. Absentee or proxy voting. Standing and select committees may by a majority vote of the
3 committee authorize Senators to vote in absentia. Authorization for absentee or proxy voting must be reflected
4 in the committee audio recording log.
5S30-140. Reconsideration in committee. A committee may at any time prior to submitting a report to
6 the Secretary of the Senate reconsider its previous action on legislation.
7S30-150. Committee requested legislation. (1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (1)(b), at least
8 three-fourths of all the members of a standing committee must have voted in favor of the question to allow the
9 committee to request the drafting and introduction of legislation.
10 (b) The Finance and Claims Committee may request the drafting and introduction of legislation by a
11 majority vote of all of the members of the committee.
12 (2) The chair of a committee shall introduce, or shall designate a member of the committee to
13 introduce, legislation requested by the committee. The introduced bill must be referred to the requesting
14 committee.
15S30-160. Ethics Committee. (1) The Ethics Committee shall meet only upon the call of the chair after
16 the referral of an issue from the Rules Committee or the Legislator Conduct Panel or to consider a request for a
17 determination pursuant to subsection (4). The Rules Committee may be convened to consider the referral of a
18 matter to the Ethics Committee upon the request of a Senator. The Rules Committee shall prepare a written
19 statement of the specific question or issue to be addressed by the Ethics Committee. Except for a referral from
20 the Legislative Conduct Panel, the issues referred to the Ethics Committee must be related to the actions of a
21 Senator during a legislative session.
22 (2) The matters that may be referred to the Ethics Committee are:
23 (a) a violation of:
24 (i) 2-2-103;
25 (ii) 2-2-104;
26 (iii) 2-2-111;
27 (iv) 2-2-112; or
28 (v) Joint Rule 10-85;
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 15 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 (b) the use or threatened use of a Senator's position for personal or personal business benefit or
2 advantage; or
3 (c) any other violation of law by a Senator while acting in the capacity of Senator.
4 (3) If there is a recommendation from the Ethics Committee, the recommendation is made to the
5 Senate.
6 (4) A Senator may seek a determination from the Ethics Committee concerning the possibility of a
7 personal conflict of interest.
8CHAPTER 4
9Legislation
10S40-10. Types of legislation. The only types of legislation that may be introduced in the Senate are
11 those that have been drafted and approved by the Legislative Services Division and signed by a Senator as
12 chief sponsor. The types of legislation allowed include:
13 (1) bills of any subject, except appropriations;
14 (2) joint resolutions, which may be used for any purpose specified in Joint Rule 40-60; and
15 (3) simple resolutions, which may:
16 (a) adopt or amend Senate rules;
17 (b) provide for the internal affairs of the Senate;
18 (c) express confirmation of the Governor's appointments; or
19 (d) make recommendations concerning the districting and apportionment plan as provided by Article V,
20 section 14(4), of the Montana Constitution.
21S40-20. Introduction -- first reading. (1) Upon receiving a bill or resolution from a Senator, the
22 Secretary of the Senate shall assign an appropriate sequential number, which constitutes introduction of the
23 legislation. Legislation properly introduced or received in the Senate must be announced across the rostrum
24 and public notice provided. This announcement constitutes first reading, and no debate or motion is in order
25 except that a Senator may question adherence to rules. Acknowledgment by the Secretary of the Senate of
26 receipt of legislation transmitted from the House commences the time limit for consideration of the legislation.
27 All legislation received by the Senate may be referred to a committee prior to being read across the rostrum.
28 (2) Bills and resolutions preintroduced as provided in Joint Rule 40-40 may be assigned to committee
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 16 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 by the President, posted online, and printed prior to the legislative session. The Legislative Services Division is
2 responsible for ensuring the preintroduction intent from each Senator and presenting the preintroduced
3 legislation to the Secretary of the Senate.
4 (3) Upon referral to committee by the President, the Secretary of the Senate shall publicly post a listing
5 of the bill or resolution by a summary of its title, together with a notation of the committee to which it has been
6 assigned.
7 (4) The sponsor may ask the Legislative Services Division to change or correct a short title used on the
8 bill status system.
9S40-30. Cosponsors and additional sponsors. (1) Prior to submitting legislation to the Secretary of
10 the Senate for introduction, the chief sponsor may add representatives and senators as cosponsors. A
11 legislator shall sign the cosponsor form attached to the legislation in order to be added as a cosponsor.
12 (2) After legislation is submitted for introduction, sponsors may be added on motion of the chief sponsor
13 at any time prior to a standing committee report on the bill or resolution. Forms for adding sponsors will be
14 supplied on request by the Secretary of the Senate.
15 (3) Upon passage of the motion, the names of the additional sponsors will be printed in the journal and
16 the form containing the signatures of the additional sponsors will be forwarded to the Legislative Services
17 Division with the original bill for the inclusion of the names in subsequent printings of the bill or resolution.
18S40-40. Reading limitations. (1) Every bill must be read three times prior to passage, either by title or
19 by summary of title as provided in these rules.
20 (2) A bill or resolution may not have more than one reading on the same day except the last legislative
21 day.
22 (3) An amendment may not be offered on third reading.
23S40-60. Scheduling for second reading. (1) All bills and resolutions that have been reported by a
24 committee or withdrawn from a committee by motion, accepted by the Senate, and posted online and
25 reproduced must be scheduled by the President for consideration by Committee of the Whole.
26 (2) Until the 50th legislative day, 1 day must elapse between receiving the legislation from printing and
27 scheduling for second reading for consideration by Committee of the Whole unless a posted or printed version
28 of an unamended bill is available.
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 17 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 (3) The majority leader shall arrange legislation on the agenda in the order in which the bills will be
2 considered, unless otherwise ordered by the Senate or Committee of the Whole.
3CHAPTER 5
4Floor Action
5S50-10. Attendance -- mandatory voting -- quorum. (1) Unless excused by the President, majority
6 leader, or minority leader, Senators must be physically present every sitting of the Senate and shall vote on
7 questions put before the Senate.
8 (2) A majority of the Senate shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may
9 adjourn from day to day and compel the attendance of absent Senators, in the manner and under penalties as
10 the Senate may prescribe (Montana Constitution, Art. V, sec. 10(2)).
11S50-20. Orders of business. After prayer, roll call, and report on the journal, the order of business of
12 the Senate is as follows:
13 (1) communications and petitions;
14 (2) reports of standing committees;
15 (3) reports of select committees;
16 (4) messages from the Governor;
17 (5) messages from the House of Representatives;
18 (6) first reading and commitment of bills;
19 (7) second reading of bills (Committee of the Whole);
20 (8) third reading of bills;
21 (9) motions;
22 (10) unfinished business;
23 (11) special orders of the day; and
24 (12) announcement of committee meetings.
25 To revert to or pass to a new order of business requires only a majority vote.
26S50-30. Limitations on debate. A Senator may not speak more than twice on any one motion or
27 question without unanimous consent of the Senate, unless the Senator has introduced or proposed the motion
28 or question under debate, in which case the Senator may speak twice and also close the debate. However, a
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 18 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 Senator who has spoken may not speak again on the same motion or question to the exclusion of a Senator
2 who has not spoken.
3S50-40. Procedure upon offering a motion. (1) When a motion is offered it must be restated by the
4 presiding officer. If requested by the presiding officer or a Senator, it must be reduced to writing, presented at
5 the rostrum, and read aloud by the Secretary.
6 (2) A motion may be withdrawn by the Senator offering it at any time before it is amended or voted
7 upon.
8 (3) A motion is carried by a majority of the Senate present and voting unless otherwise stated in the
9 Senate Rules.
10S50-50. Precedence of motions. (1) When a question is under debate only the following privileged
11 and subsidiary motions may be made:
12 (a) to adjourn for the day (nondebatable S50-60);
13 (b) to adjourn sine die (debatable S50-135);
14 (c) for a call of the Senate (nondebatable S50-60);
15 (d) to recess (nondebatable S50-60);
16 (e) question of privilege;
17 (f) to lay on the table (nondebatable S50-60);
18 (g) for the previous question (nondebatable S50-60);
19 (h) to postpone to a certain day;
20 (i) to refer or commit;
21 (j) to amend;
22 (k) subject to subsection (1)(l), to postpone indefinitely; and
23 (l) to postpone indefinitely on a bill or resolution after its failure to receive a majority of those present
24 and voting on second reading.
25 (2) The motions listed in subsection (1) have precedence in the order listed.
26 (3) Subject to subsection (1)(l), a question may be indefinitely postponed by a majority roll call of all
27 Senators physically or remotely present and voting. When a bill or resolution is postponed indefinitely after
28 debate on second reading, it is finally rejected and may not be acted upon again except upon a motion of
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 19 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 reconsideration as provided in S50-90.
2 (4) A motion or proposition on a subject different from that under consideration may not be accepted
3 unless a substitute motion is in order.
4S50-60. Nondebatable motions. The following motions are not debatable:
5 (1) to adjourn for the day;
6 (2) for a call of the Senate;
7 (3) to recess or rise;
8 (4) for parliamentary inquiry;
9 (5) for suspension of the rules;
10 (6) to lay on the table;
11 (7) for the previous question;
12 (8) to limit, extend the limits of, or to close debate;
13 (9) to amend an undebatable motion;
14 (10) to change a vote (S50-200);
15 (11) to pass business in Committee of the Whole;
16 (12) to take from the table;
17 (13) a decision of the presiding officer, unless appealed or unless the presiding officer submits the
18 question to the Senate for advice or decision; and
19 (14) all incidental motions, such as motions relating to voting or other questions of a general procedural
20 nature.
21S50-70. Amending motions -- restrictions. (1) Subject to subsection (2), no more than one
22 amendment and no more than one substitute motion may be made to a motion. This rule permits the main
23 motion and two modifying motions.
24 (2) A motion for a call of the Senate, for the previous question, to table, or to take from the table may
25 not be amended.
26S50-80. Previous question. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), the effect of calling for the
27 previous question, if adopted, is to close debate immediately, to prevent the offering of amendments or other
28 subsidiary motions, and to bring to vote promptly the immediately pending main question and the adhering
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 20 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 subsidiary motions, whether on appeal or otherwise. The motion for the previous question is nondebatable as
2 provided in S50-60(7).
3 (2) When the previous question is ordered on any debatable question on which there has been no
4 debate, the question may be debated for one-half hour, one-half of that time to be given to the proponents and
5 one-half to the opponents. The sponsor of the main motion on which the previous question is adopted may
6 close on the motion regardless of whether debate on the main motion has occurred.
7 (3) A call of the Senate is not in order after the previous question is ordered unless it appears upon an
8 actual count by the presiding officer that a quorum is not physically and remotely present.
9S50-90. Reconsideration -- time restrictions. (1) Subject to subsection (6), any Senator may, on the
10 day the vote was taken or on the next day the Senate is in session, move to reconsider the question. A motion
11 to reconsider is a debatable motion, but the debate is limited to the motion. The debate on a motion to
12 reconsider may not address the substance of the matter for which reconsideration is sought. However, an
13 inquiry may be made concerning the purpose of the motion to reconsider.
14 (2) A motion to reconsider must be disposed of when made unless a proper substitute motion is made
15 and adopted.
16 (3) A motion to recall a bill from the House of Representatives constitutes notice to reconsider and must
17 be acted on as a motion to reconsider. A motion to reconsider or to recall a bill from the House of
18 Representatives may be made only under Order of Business No. 9 and, under that order of business, takes
19 precedence over all motions except motions to recess or adjourn.
20 (4) When a motion to reconsider is laid on the table, a two-thirds majority is required to take it from the
21 table. When a motion to reconsider fails, the question is finally and conclusively settled.
22 (5) If a motion to reconsider third reading action is carried, there may not be further action until the
23 succeeding legislative day.
24 (6) If the Senate has adjourned for more than 2 days, then a motion to reconsider action taken on the
25 last day the Senate was in session is in order on the day the Senate reconvenes or on the following legislative
26 day.
27S50-95. Rereferral. (1) Legislation that is in the possession of the Senate and that has been reported
28 from a committee with a do pass or be concurred in recommendation may be rereferred to a Senate committee
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 21 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 by a majority vote.
2 (2) (a) With the consent of the majority leader, the minority leader, and the bill sponsor, legislation that
3 has passed second reading, has been rereferred to the Finance and Claims Committee pursuant to subsection
4 (1), and is reported from committee without amendments may be placed on third reading.
5 (b) The third-reading agenda must specify that the legislation rereferred and reported from committee
6 under subsection (2)(a) was rereferred to the Senate Finance and Claims Committee and reported from the
7 committee without amendments as passed on second reading.
8 (3) The individual making the rereferral motion shall announce the bill number, short bill title, and the
9 name of the sponsor of the bill immediately before it may be considered for rereferral.
10S50-100. Dividing a question -- segregation excluded. A Senator may request to divide a question if
11 it includes two or more propositions so distinct in substance that if one thing is taken away a substantive
12 question will remain. A vote is not required on a request to divide a question, but the chair may rule that a
13 question is not divisible. The ruling of the chair may be appealed as provided in S20-10 and S20-20. For an
14 appeal of a ruling of the presiding officer, the question for the Senate must be stated as, "Shall the ruling of the
15 chair be upheld?". A motion to segregate pursuant to S50-140(4) is not a request to divide a question.
16S50-110. Rules for questions or bills requiring other than a majority vote. (1) Except as provided
17 in subsection (2), if a question or bill requires more than a majority vote for final passage, a majority vote is
18 sufficient to decide any question relating to the question or bill prior to third reading.
19 (2) Any vote in the Senate on a bill proposing an amendment to the Montana Constitution under
20 circumstances in which there exists the mathematical possibility of obtaining the necessary two-thirds vote of
21 the Legislature will cause the bill to progress as though it had received the majority vote. This rule does not
22 prevent a committee from indefinitely postponing or tabling a bill proposing an amendment to the Montana
23 Constitution.
24 (3) If a bill has been amended in the House of Representatives and the amendments are accepted by
25 the Senate, the bill must again be placed on third reading in the Senate to determine if the required number of
26 votes has been cast.
27S50-120. Committee reports to Senate -- reconsideration. (1) Reports of standing committees must
28 be read on Order of Business No. 2, and, if there is no objection to form, are considered adopted. Subject to
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 22 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 subsection (4), debate may not be had on any report.
2 (2) On an adverse committee report, the sponsor may respond to the chair of the committee making the
3 report.
4 (3) Any Senator seeking a reconsideration of the Senate's action on the adoption of a committee report
5 shall do so on Order of Business No. 9 by motion to reconsider as provided in S50-90. Any Senator may make
6 the reconsideration motion and need not have voted on the prevailing side. This rule applies notwithstanding
7 any joint rule to the contrary. Subject to S50-90(6), the reconsideration motion must be made within 1 legislative
8 day of the adoption of the committee report and is not in order if the bill has been considered in Committee of
9 the Whole.
10 (4) (a) Subject to subsection (4)(b), the Rules Committee and conference committees may report at any
11 time, except during a call of the Senate, when a vote is being taken, or during Committee of the Whole.
12 (b) The Rules Committee may report during Committee of the Whole on matters referred to the
13 Committee by the Committee of the Whole.
14S50-130. Conference committee -- reports. (1) When a conference committee report is filed with the
15 Secretary of the Senate, the report must be read under Order of Business No. 3, select committees, and placed
16 on the calendar the succeeding legislative day for consideration on second reading. If recommended favorably
17 by the Committee of the Whole, it may be considered on third reading the same legislative day.
18 (2) If both the Senate and the House of Representatives adopt the same conference committee report
19 on legislation requiring more than a majority vote for final passage, the Senate, following approval of the
20 conference committee report on third reading, shall place the final form of the legislation on third reading to
21 determine if the required vote is obtained.
22 (3) If the Senate rejects a conference committee report, the committee continues to exist unless
23 dissolved by the President or by motion. The committee may file a subsequent report.
24 (4) A Senate conference committee may confer regarding matters assigned to it with any House
25 conference committee with like jurisdiction and submit recommendations for consideration of the Senate.
26S50-135. Adjournment sine die. (1) Subject to Article V, section 10(5), of the Montana Constitution, a
27 Senator may move that the Senate adjourn for the session.
28 (2) (a) The motion is debatable and may be made under any order of business except Order of
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 23 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 Business No. 7.
2 (b) Debate on the motion is limited to two proponents and two opponents.
3S50-140. Second reading -- Committee of the Whole report -- segregation -- rejection. (1) The
4 Senate may resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole for consideration of business on second reading, by
5 approval of a motion for that purpose.
6 (2) After a Committee of the Whole has been formed, the President shall appoint a chair to preside.
7 (3) All legislation considered in the Committee of the Whole must be read by a summary of its title. The
8 sponsor shall make an opening statement, proposed amendments must be considered, and then the bill must
9 be considered in its entirety.
10 (4) Prior to adoption of the Committee of the Whole report, a Senator may move to segregate
11 legislation. If the motion prevails, the legislation remains on second reading.
12 (5) When a Committee of the Whole report on legislation is rejected, the legislation remains on second
13 reading.
14S50-150. Committee of the Whole amendments. (1) All Committee of the Whole amendments must
15 be prepared by the staff of the Legislative Services Division, stipulating the date and time of preparation and
16 staff approval, and delivered to the Secretary of the Senate for reading before the amendment is voted on.
17 (2) Each amendment, rejected or adopted, must be referenced in the journal, along with the name of
18 the sponsor and the vote on each.
19S50-160. Motions in Committee of the Whole. (1) All proper motions on second reading are
20 debatable unless specified in S50-60.
21 (2) The only motions in order during Committee of the Whole are to:
22 (a) recommend passage or nonpassage;
23 (b) recommend concurrence or nonconcurrence (House amendments to Senate legislation);
24 (c) amend;
25 (d) subject to subsection (2)(e), to postpone indefinitely;
26 (e) to postpone indefinitely on a bill or resolution after its failure to receive a majority of those present
27 and voting on second reading;
28 (f) pass consideration;
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 24 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 (g) change the order in which legislation is placed on the agenda (nondebatable S50-60(14));
2 (h) rise (nondebatable S50-60(3));
3 (i) rise and report progress and ask leave to sit again (nondebatable S50-60(3)); or
4 (j) rise and report (nondebatable S50-60(3)).
5 (3) The motions listed in subsection (2) may be made in descending order as listed.
6 (4) Except for the President of the Senate or designee, a Senator may not be recognized between the
7 time a bill sponsor closes on the bill and the question is called by the presiding officer with a vote taken on the
8 bill or resolution.
9S50-170. Committee of the Whole -- generally. (1) The Committee of the Whole may not appoint
10 subcommittees.
11 (2) The Committee of the Whole may not punish its members for misconduct, but may report disorder
12 to the Senate.
13S50-180. Voting on second reading -- positive disposition of motions. (1) On Order of Business
14 No. 7, in addition to other methods, a recorded vote may be made in the following manner: the chair may call
15 for a voice vote to accept or reject a question. If the vote is other than unanimous, the chair may ask that the
16 lesser number on the question indicate their vote by an approved method of counting votes. The Secretary will
17 then record the vote. The chair may then rule that unless excused those of the greater number and physically
18 or remotely present have voted on the prevailing side of the question and that their vote be recorded as voting
19 on the prevailing side. If there was a unanimous voice vote, all those physically or remotely present will be
20 recorded as having voted for the question.
21 (2) A motion on second reading must be disposed of by a positive vote.
22S50-190. Third reading procedure. (1) Unless rereferred to a committee by a majority vote after the
23 adoption of the Committee of the Whole report but before adjournment for the day, all legislation passing
24 second reading must be placed on third reading the day following the receipt of the engrossing or other
25 appropriate printing report.
26 (2) On Order of Business No. 8 the Secretary shall read the title and the President shall state the
27 question as follows: "Senate bill number (or other appropriate identification)..... having been read three times,
28 the question is, shall the bill (or other appropriate identification) pass the Senate?"
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 25 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 (3) If an electronic voting system is used, the President shall state "Those in favor vote yes and those
2 opposed vote no" and the Secretary will sound the signal and open the board for voting. After a reasonable
3 pause the presiding officer asks "Has every member voted?" (reasonable pause), "Does any member wish to
4 change his or her vote?" (reasonable pause), "The Secretary will record the vote."
5S50-200. Senate voting -- changing a vote -- objection. (1) A roll call vote must be taken on the
6 request of two Senators, if the request occurs before the vote is taken.
7 (2) On a roll call vote the names of the Senators must be called alphabetically, unless an electronic
8 voting system is used. A Senator may not vote after the decision is announced from the chair. A Senator may
9 not explain a vote until after the decision is announced from the chair.
10 (3) A Senator may move to change the Senator's vote, on any recorded vote, within 1 legislative day of
11 the vote. The Senator making the motion shall first specify the bill number, the date of the vote, and the original
12 vote tally. A vote may not be changed if it would affect the outcome of legislation. The motion is nondebatable.
13 If none of the Senators physically or remotely present object, the change must be entered into the journal.
14 (4) If any Senator objects to the request in subsection (3), the Senator making the request may move to
15 suspend the rules to allow the Senator to change the Senator's vote.
16 (5) An error caused by a malfunction of the voting system may be corrected without a vote within 10
17 minutes of the malfunction.
18S50-210. Absentee votes – restrictions. (1) An excused senator may file an absentee vote
19 authorization form to vote during the excused absence on any vote for which absentee voting is allowed.
20 (2) An excused senator shall sign an absentee vote authorization form that specifies the motion and the
21 desired vote.
22 (3) The absentee vote authorization form must be handed in at the rostrum by the party whip or
23 designated senator before voting on the motion has commenced.
24 (4) The absentee vote authorization may be revoked before the vote by the member who signed the
25 authorization.
26 (5) Absentee voting is not allowed on third reading.
27S50-220. Call of the Senate without a quorum. (1) In the absence of a quorum, a majority of
28 Senators physically and remotely present may compel the attendance of absent Senators by ordering a call of
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 26 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 the Senate. A call of the Senate is not in order if a majority of Senators are physically and remotely present.
2 (2) On a call of the Senate, a Senator who refuses to attend may be arrested by the Sergeant-at-Arms
3 or any other person, as the majority of the Senators present direct. When the attendance of an absent Senator
4 is secured and the Senate refuses to excuse the Senator's absence, the Senator may not be paid any expense
5 payments while absent and is liable for the expenses incurred in procuring the Senator's attendance.
6 (3) During a call of the Senate, all business must be suspended. After a call has been ordered, no
7 motion is in order except a motion to adjourn or remove the call. When a quorum has been achieved under the
8 call, the call is automatically lifted. The call may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the members physically or
9 remotely present.
10S50-230. House amendments to Senate legislation. (1) When the House has properly returned
11 Senate legislation with House amendments, the Senate shall announce the amendments on Order of Business
12 No. 5 and the President shall place them on second reading for debate. The President may rerefer Senate
13 legislation with House amendments to a committee for a hearing if the House amendments constitute a
14 significant change in the Senate legislation. The second reading vote is limited to consideration of the House
15 amendments.
16 (2) If the Senate accepts House amendments, the Senate shall place the final form of the legislation on
17 third reading to determine if the legislation, as amended, is passed or if the required vote is obtained.
18 (3) If the Senate rejects the House amendments, the Senate may request the House to recede from its
19 amendments or may direct appointment of a conference committee and request the House to appoint a like
20 committee.
21S50-240. Governor's amendments. (1) When the Governor returns a bill with recommended
22 amendments, the Senate shall announce the amendments under Order of Business No. 4.
23 (2) The Senate may debate and adopt or reject the Governor's recommended amendments on second
24 reading on any legislative day.
25 (3) If both the Senate and the House of Representatives accept the Governor's recommended
26 amendments on a bill that requires more than a majority vote for final passage, the Senate shall place the final
27 form of the legislation on third reading to determine if the required vote is obtained.
28S50-250. Governor's veto. (1) When the Governor returns a bill with a veto, the Senate shall
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 27 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 announce the veto under Order of Business No. 4.
2 (2) On any legislative day, a Senator may move to override the Governor's veto by a two-thirds vote
3 under Order of Business No. 9.
4CHAPTER 6
5Rules
6S60-10. Senate rules -- amendment -- adoption -- suspension. (1) A motion to amend or adopt a
7 rule of the Senate must be referred to the Rules Committee without debate. A rule of the Senate may be
8 amended or adopted only with the concurrence of a majority of the Senate and after 1 day's notice.
9 (2) Subject to subsection (3), a rule may be suspended temporarily by a three-fifths vote.
10 (3) During a special session of the Legislature, the rules may be suspended by a majority vote.
11S60-20. Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure. The most recent publication of Mason's Manual
12 of Legislative Procedure governs the proceedings of the Senate in all cases not covered by these rules.
13S60-30. Joint rules superseded. A Senate rule, insofar as it relates to the internal proceedings of the
14 Senate, supersedes a joint rule.
15CHAPTER 7
16Nominations from the Governor
17S70-10. Nominations -- second term reappointments. (1) The Governor shall nominate and, by and
18 with the consent of the Senate, appoint all officers whose offices are established by the Montana Constitution or
19 which may be created by law and for whom appointment or election is not otherwise provided.
20 (2) If during a recess of the Senate a vacancy occurs in any office subject to Senate confirmation, the
21 Governor shall appoint some fit person to discharge the duties of the office until the next meeting of the Senate,
22 when the Governor shall nominate a person to fill the office.
23 (3) If the Governor is reelected to a second 4-year term of office, the Governor shall renominate all
24 retained officers that were previously confirmed pursuant to subsection (1). The Senate confirmation procedure
25 for a retained officer is the same as the confirmation procedure for a new appointment.
26 (4) A retained officer is an individual whose term would have expired at the end of the Governor’s first
27 4-year term if the Governor had not been reelected to a second consecutive term.
28S70-20. Receiving nominations -- requesting bill drafts. (1) Nominations and renominations
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 28 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 received from the Governor must be:
2 (a) received by the President;
3 (b) delivered to the Secretary of the Senate; and
4 (c) read under Order of Business No. 4, messages from the Governor.
5 (2) The Secretary shall distribute a copy of the list of nominations and renominations to each Senator.
6 (3) (a) The President of the Senate shall submit a bill draft request for a resolution for each nominee or
7 each group of nominees read under Order of Business No. 4. These bill draft requests will not count against
8 any bill draft request limit imposed on the President of the Senate.
9 (b) Prior to introduction of the resolution, the President of the Senate shall designate the appropriate
10 committee chair or other member of the Senate to introduce the simple resolution.
11S70-30. Committee process -- separate consideration. (1) (a) The committee shall research each
12 nominee and may request biographical information from the Governor for each nominee if none has been
13 provided.
14 (b) When the resolution has been prepared and introduced, the committee shall hold a hearing on the
15 resolution after appropriate public notice has been given.
16 (2) (a) Except as provided in subsection (2)(b), following the hearings for a group of nominees, the
17 committee shall issue standing committee reports to be considered on second reading, stating the committee's
18 recommendations concerning the nominees.
19 (b) Following the hearings for the group of nominees, if a committee member wishes to have an
20 individual nominee or group of nominees considered by the Senate separately from the group of nominees
21 being considered by the committee, the committee member may prepare an amendment for executive action to
22 strike or add a nominee or group of nominees. If a nominee or a group of nominees is stricken, the committee
23 member that offered the amendment shall make a motion to request a committee resolution for the nominee or
24 nominees to be considered by a separate resolution. A simple majority of the committee is sufficient in order to
25 request a separate committee resolution.
26 (3) Within the Committee of the Whole, if a Senator wishes to have an individual nominee or group of
27 nominees considered by the Senate separately from the group of nominees recommended by the committee,
28 the Senator may prepare a floor amendment to strike or add a nominee or group of nominees. If a nominee or a
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 29 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 group of nominees is stricken, a Senator may make a motion to request that the President of the Senate submit
2 a bill draft request for that the nominee or nominees to be considered by a separate resolution.
3 (4) When the resolution for an individual or group nomination has been prepared and introduced, the
4 committee shall take executive action on the resolution. When a hearing on the separated nomination was held
5 prior to the committee's standing committee report, an additional hearing is not required to be held before the
6 committee takes action on the separate resolution. After the committee's executive action, the committee chair
7 shall issue a standing committee report.
8 (5) The Secretary will read the reports under Order of Business No. 2, reports of standing committees.
9 (6) After the report has been read, the resolution must be placed on Order of Business No. 7 the next
10 legislative day for consideration by the Senate. Motions to approve or disapprove of the resolution are in order
11 and may be debated. Approval upon second reading constitutes confirmation of the Governor's nominee. A
12 motion to reconsider the approval or disapproval of a nomination made on second reading must occur within
13 one legislative day. A motion to reconsider may not be made if the resolution approving a confirmation is no
14 longer in the possession of the Senate.
15 (7) Once the Senate adjourns sine die, all nominations and renominations that were not approved by
16 the Senate are treated as rejected confirmations.
17Appendix A
18 List of Questions Requiring Other Than a Majority Vote
19 The following questions require the vote specified:
20 (1) a motion to lift a call of the Senate pursuant to S50-220(3) (two-thirds of the members physically or
21 remotely present);
22 (2) a motion to suspend rules during a regular session pursuant to S60-10 (three-fifths);
23 (3) a motion to override the Governor's veto pursuant to S50-250 and Article VI, section 10(3), of the
24 Montana Constitution (two-thirds);
25 (4) a motion to approve a bill to appropriate the principal of the coal trust fund pursuant to Article IX,
26 section 5, of the Montana Constitution (three-fourths of each house);
27 (5) a motion to approve a bill to appropriate highway revenue as described in Article VIII, section 6, of
28 the Montana Constitution for purposes other than those described in that section (three-fifths of each house);
69th Legislature - 2025 SR0001.2
- 30 - Authorized Print Version – SR 1
1 (6) a motion to approve a bill proposing to amend the Montana Constitution pursuant to Article XIV,
2 section 8, of the Montana Constitution (two-thirds of the entire Legislature);
3 (7) an appeal of the ruling of the presiding officer pursuant to S20-10 (one Senator, seconded by two
4 other Senators);
5 (8) a motion to approve a bill conferring immunity from suit as described in Article II, section 18, of the
6 Montana Constitution (two-thirds);
7 (9) a motion to approve a bill to appropriate the principal of the tobacco settlement trust fund pursuant
8 to Article XII, section 4, of the Montana Constitution (two-thirds); and
9 (10) a motion to appropriate the principal of the noxious weed management trust fund pursuant to
10 Article IX, section 6, of the Montana Constitution (three-fourths).
11 - END -