Sen. Mike Cuffe

Maddy summarySB 226 revises the process for certifying petition signatures by adding specific filing timelines. The bill requires individuals or groups gathering signatures for petitions to submit collected signature sheets and their accompanying affidavits to county election administrators within defined timeframes. These deadlines vary based on how long ago the signatures were gathered. If the signature sheets and affidavits are not submitted by the required deadlines, the county election administrator must reject them.

Maddy summarySB 545 establishes the Danny L. Radish Highway on a section of Highway 37 in Lincoln County. It directs the Department of Transportation to install appropriate signs and update state maps to include this new designation.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises and expands supplemental employer contributions to several state retirement systems, directly impacting state and local government employers and the retirement funds for their employees. For the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), it extends the schedule of increasing supplemental employer contributions through fiscal year 2035 and then sets a higher rate. Additionally, the bill introduces new supplemental employer contribution rates for the Highway Patrol Officers' Retirement System, the Sheriffs' Retirement System, and the Game Wardens' and Peace Officers' Retirement System. These new contributions are intended to help address unfunded liabilities and cover the normal cost of benefits for these specific systems.

Maddy summarySB 57 revises county election canvassing processes to improve accuracy and address discrepancies. The bill requires Boards of County Canvassers to compare the number of votes cast against the number of registered electors and the number of persons who voted. If discrepancies or errors are identified during canvassing, the board must investigate them within two days. As part of this investigation, the board is authorized to require the election administrator to conduct a recount of votes.

Maddy summarySB 490 revises the deadlines for late voter registration in Montana, specifically for federal elections. The bill allows voters to register or update their information until the close of business on the Friday before a federal election, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on the Saturday before, and until noon on election day itself. These changes primarily affect Montana voters who need to register or change their voter information close to a federal election. The bill also clarifies how these new late registration provisions interact with existing rules for "covered voters" (such as military and overseas voters), allowing them to register and vote up to the time polls close on election day.

Maddy summarySB 276 revises Montana's voter identification laws to streamline requirements for casting ballots. It removes the option for voters to claim a "reasonable impediment" when unable to show ID, requiring instead that voters present one of several acceptable forms of identification (such as a Montana driver's license, tribal ID, military ID, or utility bill with address) to receive a regular ballot. For provisional voting, voters must now provide valid ID within 24 hours after the election to have their ballot counted. The bill directly affects all Montana voters participating in person or by mail, updating procedures in sections 13-13-114, 13-13-602, and 13-15-107 of Montana law.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 191 establishes a new licensing system for residential treatment centers in Montana. It grants the Department of Public Health and Human Services the authority to create administrative rules for these centers, covering areas such as staff qualifications, treatment services, insurance, and background checks. The bill requires these centers to obtain accreditation from an entity approved by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, with provisional licenses available during the accreditation process. Finally, it extends eligibility for appropriate educational opportunities to children placed in these newly defined residential treatment centers.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution recognizes the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and honors the military service of Montanans who served in that war. It highlights the contributions of over 75,000 Montanans, including specific regiments, women, and Native American service members, as well as homefront efforts.

Maddy summarySB 305 revises laws related to funeral trusts. It requires that money received for prearranged funeral or related services, which is held in a trust fund, must comply with the prudent investor rule. This means that the financial institutions or entities holding these funds must manage them according to a specified standard for investments, a requirement that cannot be waived. The bill directly affects providers of prearranged funeral services and the individuals who contract for them by setting a new standard for how their trust funds are invested.

Maddy summarySB 58 revises vote count procedures, primarily affecting election administrators and counting boards. The bill mandates that if a counting board cannot reconcile the total number of ballots with the pollbook record and their initial report does not satisfactorily explain the discrepancy, the election administrator must conduct an investigation. This investigation may involve recounting ballots and reviewing accepted ballot records. The election administrator is then required to report the findings of this investigation to the board of county canvassers. This establishes a clear protocol for addressing unexplained ballot count discrepancies.