Maddy summarySB 138 requires Montana school districts with at least a half-time principal to formally include in policies or teacher agreements the authority for educators to maintain a positive classroom environment and temporarily exclude disruptive students for up to 24 hours. Teachers must direct excluded students to a principal or designee, and students cannot return until a return plan - developed by the principal and potentially involving behavioral contracts, parent communication, or meetings - is provided to the teacher. The bill explicitly requires all provisions to comply with federal disability laws (IDEA, ADA, Section 504) and the Family Educational Rights Act. This bill, which died in the Senate on May 23, 2025, would have applied to school years starting July 1, 2025.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 103 increases the fee collected by the clerk of district court for issuing an execution or order of sale on a lien foreclosure. The fee is raised from $5 to $25, a $20 increase. This additional $20 will be deposited into the county district court fund. The bill primarily affects individuals and entities involved in lien foreclosure proceedings who must pay this court fee, as well as the funding for county district court operations.
Maddy summarySB 264 amends Montana law concerning motor vehicle exhaust noise. This bill eliminates a specific legal defense for motor vehicle operators cited for exceeding the 95-decibel noise limit. Previously, a driver could not be convicted if they had reasonable grounds to believe their vehicle complied with the noise standard. With this change, that defense is no longer available to those charged with a violation.
Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 81) formally confirms the Montana Governor's appointment of Chris Dorrington as Director of the Department of Transportation. It does not create new policy but approves the Governor's existing appointment, as required by state law (sections 5-5-302 and 2-15-111, MCA). The Senate’s approval, adopted on April 8, 2025, allows Dorrington to assume the role at the Governor’s pleasure. This is a routine procedural step for confirming executive appointments, not a substantive legislative change. The resolution directly affects the Department of Transportation’s leadership structure.
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution confirms the Montana Governor's appointments to the Transportation Commission, including five members: Scott Aspenlieder, Loran Frazier, Shane Sanders, Noel Sansaver, and Kody Swartz, with terms ending in 2027 or 2029. The resolution serves as a required procedural step for the Senate to formally consent to the Governor's nominations, as mandated by Montana law (sections 5-5-302 and 5-5-303, MCA). It does not create new policy or affect public regulations, but finalizes the commission's membership as submitted by the Governor.