Rep. Valerie Moore

Maddy summaryHB 116 aimed to allow attorneys, particularly public defenders, to appear remotely in court proceedings. The bill would have required all courts to establish a consistent process for these remote appearances. Public defenders would have been permitted to appear remotely for "nonsubstantive hearings," such as arraignments or bond hearings, where the case's final outcome isn't decided. However, a court could still order an attorney to appear in person if there was "good cause," such as a lack of technological resources, and provided advance notice.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 161 establishes a new "vending machine account" within the state's special revenue fund for the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). This account will receive a percentage of income collected by DPHHS from vending machines located on federal and state properties that are not operated by blind vendors. The money in this account is statutorily appropriated to DPHHS, meaning the department can use these funds for specific program purposes consistent with federal law without needing further legislative approval. The bill is effective starting July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 442 revises reporting requirements for certain professional occupations. The bill eliminates the requirement for both the Medical Legal Panel and the Chiropractic Legal Panel to send the outcomes of their decisions to professional licensing boards. It also removes the mandate for insurers to report alleged professional negligence to the Board of Medical Examiners. These changes primarily affect how information regarding professional conduct is shared between legal panels, insurers, and state licensing agencies for medical and chiropractic professions.

Maddy summaryHB 426 clarifies Montana's rules for real estate appraisal management companies by restricting ownership by individuals or entities with a history of serious violations in appraiser licensing. It requires companies applying for registration to certify that all owners (directly or indirectly) have never had an appraiser license revoked for serious violations, and mandates that owners undergo background checks. The bill also updates application processes to align with federal requirements. This directly affects new and existing appraisal management companies seeking state registration, ensuring owners meet stricter background standards before operating.