This joint resolution (LC 2785) requests an interim study to examine how Montana can better utilize school counselors to improve student outcomes. It directs the Legislative Council to form a committee to investigate counselor shortages, current student-counselor ratios, and effective practices used in other states. The committee must collaborate with school counselors, the Board of Public Education, and advocacy groups, and report findings to the 70th Legislature by September 2026. The study focuses on strengthening school counseling programs without making immediate policy changes.
This joint resolution requests an interim study of specialty courts in Montana, specifically examining whether a specialized court for constitutional claims and cases involving state government would reduce burdens on district courts. The study will review Montana's current caseloads in family law, youth care, and criminal cases, analyze models from other states, and assess the feasibility of creating such a court. It requires the Legislative Council to form a committee to complete the study by September 2026 and report findings to the 70th Legislature. The resolution does not create new courts but seeks to evaluate if specialty courts could improve judicial efficiency and access to justice. This is a procedural study request, not a legislative change.
This joint resolution (LC 3987) requests an interim study on Montana's property insurance market, specifically to examine rising costs and coverage challenges. The study, to be completed by September 2026, will evaluate causes of increasing insurance rates, assess their impact on homeowners and businesses, and analyze policy solutions for greater affordability and stability. It directly affects Montanans facing high premiums - particularly in wildfire-prone areas - and businesses struggling with shrinking coverage. The resolution does not create new laws but mandates a formal review to inform future legislative action.
This resolution requires Montana legislators to identify specific existing programs whose funding will be reduced when introducing bills that include new spending. If a bill proposes new expenditures, it must specify which current programs will have funds reallocated to cover the cost, rather than adding new spending without offsetting cuts. The resolution is procedural - it doesn’t change actual budgets but sets a rule for how bills are drafted to promote fiscal accountability. It applies to all House bills containing new appropriations, aiming to ensure every new spending request includes a clear funding source within the same bill.
This Montana joint resolution (LC 2137) requests an interim study on enhancing media literacy through education. It directs the Legislative Council to form a committee to examine current media literacy education practices, gather input from educators and experts, and review successful approaches from other states. The committee must report its findings to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026, but the resolution itself does not enact new laws or directly affect specific groups. The study aims to inform potential future education policy changes.
This joint resolution (LC 4144) requests an interim study to examine kratom's health effects and potential regulation in Montana. The study will investigate kratom's health benefits and risks, distribution patterns within Montana, and how other states regulate the substance. It will also review Montana's current laws and the roles of state agencies like Public Health and Justice, while gathering input from businesses, health officials, and other stakeholders. The committee must complete the study by September 15, 2026, and report findings to the 70th Legislature for potential future action. This resolution does not change existing laws but seeks to inform future policy decisions.
This resolution urges Montana's Fish and Wildlife Commission to protect the traditional November mule deer hunt, particularly the harvest of bucks during the rut (breeding season), which is a longstanding hunting tradition. It specifically recommends retaining the current 5-week November rifle season, resisting moves to shift it earlier to October, and using 2022 survey data showing 71% of hunters support the current season timing. The resolution also proposes limits on antlerless harvest restrictions (e.g., no more than 20% of districts restricted in a season, for no more than two seasons in six years) to maintain hunting opportunities while managing deer populations. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change regulations but seeks to influence the Commission's decisions.
This joint resolution (LC 1612) requests an interim study on wildfire safety in Montana, not a new law. It directs the Legislative Council to form a committee to examine wildfire impacts on communities, land use planning for fire resilience (like defensible space and building materials), current policy barriers, and potential solutions such as incentives for home hardening and updated building codes. The study will assess economic, social, and ecological costs of wildfires versus prevention strategies, with findings due to the 70th Legislature by September 2026. It directly affects future policy decisions for Montana communities facing high wildfire risk, which impacts residents, firefighters, housing affordability, and local economies.
This joint resolution requests an interim study on home-based and family child care providers in Montana. The study, to be conducted by the Children, Families, Health, and Human Services Interim Committee, will examine ways to support sustainable provider development in rural areas, streamline licensing requirements, and identify barriers to accessing home-based care. The committee must complete its work by September 15, 2026, and report findings to the 70th Legislature. This resolution does not change current law but aims to inform future policy based on the study's recommendations.
This joint resolution (LC 4445) requests an interim study by the Legislative Council to examine how Montana's Legislative Branch handles procurement (purchasing goods/services) and how leadership funds for House/Senate leaders are allocated and spent. The study must assess internal controls for procurement, determine training needs for leadership staff, improve public transparency about fund use, and consider updates to the Montana Procurement Act as it applies to the Legislature. The findings must be reported to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026. This is a procedural study request, not a law creating new requirements.
This joint resolution (LC 1824) requests an interim study of Montana's property tax system, which currently uses 18 different property classes with varying tax rates, valuation methods, and exemptions. The study committee must examine tax classes, exemptions, taxpayer settlements with the Department of Revenue, and options to simplify the system by consolidating classes or balancing tax burdens. The committee must complete the study and report findings to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026. This resolution does not change current tax laws but seeks to evaluate the system's complexity for potential future reforms.
This joint resolution (LC 3602) requests an interim study to examine Montana's school safety practices. It directs the Legislative Council to form a committee to assess how Montana implements the U.S. Department of Justice's "Ten Essential Actions for School Safety," involving state agencies like the Office of Public Instruction and Montana Safe Schools Center. The study must analyze existing laws, funding, and cross-agency coordination, with findings due to the 70th Legislature by September 2026. The resolution does not create new laws but aims to identify gaps and best practices for future policy decisions.
