Bill > HB188

This bill modifies the rules for appointing members to interim legislative committees in Montana, introducing several key changes. Under the new provisions, the Speaker of the House must now consult with the minority leader when appointing interim committee members, and the total number of appointments from each chamber must proportionally reflect the partisan composition of that chamber. The bill explicitly prohibits interim committees from having a majority of members from the minority party, which is a departure from previous rules. The legislation also revises the appointment process for the Environmental Quality Council, ensuring that committee membership follows the same new partisan representation guidelines. Additionally, the bill allows for some flexibility in appointments, such as permitting the legislative council to request additional members if the committee workload requires, and it provides that appointments can sometimes include members from parties other than the majority or minority parties under specific circumstances. The bill is immediately effective upon passage and applies retroactively to interim committee appointments made on or before its effective date, ensuring that current committee compositions can be adjusted to align with the new requirements.

Government Affairs

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1398