Bill
Bill > SB16
MT SB16
Allowing legislative committees to find contempt for violation of legislative subpoena
summary
Introduced
12/06/2024
12/06/2024
In Committee
01/07/2025
01/07/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
05/23/2025
05/23/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT ALLOWING A LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE TO HOLD IN CONTEMPT A WITNESS WHO REFUSES TO COMPLY WITH A LEGISLATIVE SUBPOENA; AMING SECTION 5-5-109, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.”
AI Summary
This bill modifies Montana state law regarding legislative committees' authority to hold witnesses in contempt for failing to comply with subpoenas. Specifically, the bill updates section 5-5-109 to allow legislative committees from the senate, house, or joint legislative committees to commit a witness for contempt by a majority vote, rather than requiring a resolution to be entered in the journal. The bill applies to two scenarios: when a witness fails to obey a subpoena or refuses to testify, and when a person compelled to produce records fails to obey a subpoena. In both cases, the witness can be found in contempt and is considered guilty of a misdemeanor, which would be punishable under existing state law. The bill also includes an immediate effective date, meaning it will take effect as soon as it is passed and approved.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
(S) Died in Process (on 05/23/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/20251/LC1434 |
| State Bill Page | https://bills.legmt.gov/#/lc/bill/2/LC1434 |
| BillText | https://docs.legmt.gov/download-ticket?ticketId=bb3e5311-8bd5-41b0-9e72-54deba9efdb4 |
| BillText | https://api.legmt.gov/docs/v1/documents/getContent?documentId=266219 |
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