Rep. Caleb Hinkle

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 8 is a procedural bill that recognizes and details a historical account of racism and bigotry within the Democratic Party. The resolution outlines various historical events, figures, and policies associated with the party, from its founding in 1828 through the early 20th century. It describes connections to institutional slavery, the Indian Removal Act, Jim Crow laws, and support for the Ku Klux Klan. This resolution serves as a historical reflection and does not enact new policy.

Maddy summaryHB 524 aimed to remove boardinghouses and roominghouses from certain state public health and safety requirements currently applied to hotels and motels. The bill proposed revising definitions within the Montana Code Annotated to exempt these types of residential establishments from those specific lodging regulations. This change would alter the regulatory oversight for operators of boardinghouses and roominghouses, distinguishing them from other commercial lodging facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 675 aimed to establish a private right of action against individuals who promote, conduct, or perform in drag king or drag queen shows. This would allow minors, their parents or legal guardians, and adults who attend such performances to sue performers or promoters. If successful, plaintiffs could be awarded actual damages, attorney fees, and $5,000 in statutory damages. The bill also introduced and amended state law definitions for "drag king," "drag queen," and "drag story hour," characterizing these performances with an emphasis on sexual energy, eroticism, and provocative content.

Maddy summaryHB 327 proposes a legislative referendum that, if approved by Montana voters, would authorize the state legislature to establish a program to return excess state revenue to resident income taxpayers. This bill grants the legislature the ability to create such a program, outlining considerations like the amount of revenue that triggers refunds, how they are calculated, and eligibility requirements. The proposed act would be submitted to qualified electors for approval at the November 2026 general election.

Maddy summaryHB 284 establishes the Montana University System Investigation Committee, composed of six legislators. This committee is tasked with investigating civil rights violations and acts of censorship within the Montana University System. It will gather testimony from students about their experiences or observations at public universities and colleges. The committee will then make findings and recommendations, which will be reported to various state and federal officials. The bill appropriates $13,500 for committee expenses and the committee will conclude its work by December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 328 revises hunting license regulations for Montana residents aged 75 and older. This bill allows these senior hunters to use a general elk license to harvest an antlerless elk, commonly known as a cow elk. This provision applies during any season in hunting districts where youth under 15 are also permitted to harvest antlerless elk. This expanded use of the general elk license for antlerless elk is specifically allowed on privately owned land.

Maddy summaryHB 650 revises state bonding laws by expanding the definition of "project" to include facilities that provide broadband service. This change allows municipalities and counties to issue bonds to fund projects aimed at delivering broadband services. Specifically, it targets areas where existing broadband speeds are below 100 megabits per second download and 20 megabits per second upload. The bill provides a mechanism for local governments to finance the development of high-speed internet infrastructure in underserved locations.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution from the Montana Legislature recognizes the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States of America's Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026. It commends organizations like the Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution for their educational outreach and encourages Montanans to celebrate this historic milestone.

Maddy summaryHB 214 allows Montana to prosecute individuals for state criminal offenses even if they are in federal immigration detention for immigration violations. It directly affects people detained under federal immigration authority who commit crimes in Montana. The bill's key provision permits state prosecutors to initiate criminal cases against these individuals and requires Montana to hold them until their state trial concludes before transferring them to federal custody. This law, signed by the governor on April 7, 2025, amends state procedures to coordinate state criminal proceedings with federal immigration processes.

Maddy summaryHB 215 eliminates requirements for gender and racial balancing in appointments to Montana's state executive boards, commissions, committees, and councils. It removes the existing law (Section 2-15-108, MCA) that mandated appointing authorities to pursue "gender balance and proportional representation of minorities" and eliminated the secretary of state's monthly reporting on appointments/vacancies and the governor's annual progress reports to the legislature. The bill directly affects all state-appointed boards and commissions by removing diversity goals and reporting obligations. This changes how appointments are made, focusing solely on qualifications without mandated demographic considerations. The law took effect after Governor's signature on April 7, 2025.