News you can use
News you can use
Sorted by date Results 26 - 42 of 42
Medical marijuana overhaul on brink of collapse STEPHEN DOCKERY, Associated Press HELENA — Regulation of Montana's booming medical marijuana industry hangs on the brink of collapse as lawmakers rush to find a compromise. Senators missed a deadline for Senate Bill 423 Tuesday because there was no cost estimate following sweeping, last-minute changes to the bill. Now it will need a two-thirds majority Wednesday to clear the chamber. Getting 34 votes could be a tall order given the strong opinions on the issue. Some repeal a...
Montana Senate to vote on medical marijuana overhaul STEPHEN DOCKERY, Associated Press HELENA — Senators were working up against a deadline Tuesday on the latest measure to tighten Montana's medical marijuana laws, potentially setting up a clash with House Republican leaders who favor total repeal of the state's marijuana laws. Lawmakers are rushing to beat a procedural deadline, before extra votes would be required to pass the bill to the House. Senate Bill 423, carried by Senate Majority Leader Jeff Essmann of Billings, w...
HELENA — The House is backing a proposal that seeks to prevent women from being coerced into having an abortion. House Bill 544 would require women to be evaluated at least one hour before an abortion to see if she is feeling pressured or is at risk of having a negative reaction after the operation. The measure would allow patients to sue doctors for $10,000 for failing to screen them. Supporters say the measure would protect women from doctors who might disregard a woman's health or mental state before performing an a...
Bill offering leniency for guns at school stopped STEPHEN DOCKERY, Associated Press HELENA— A House committee stopped a bill Friday to make allowances for bringing guns on school grounds, as concerns over guns at schools trumped worries that students were being treated too harshly for leaving hunting rifles in their cars. House Bill 558, which was tabled in committee, would have no longer made it a requirement to expel a student who brings a gun to school and proposed that guns locked in a vehicle on school grounds do not q...
Senate endorses abortion notification bill STEPHEN DOCKERY, Associated Press HELENA — The Senate has endorsed a bill to require girls under 16 to notify their parents before having an abortion. Senate Bill 97 would require doctors to give 48 hours' notice to parents of girls 15 and younger seeking an abortion. But it also makes some exceptions, such as in the case of an abusive relationship. The bill was endorsed by a 29-21 vote Thursday and faces one usually procedural vote before heading to the House. State Sens. Rowlie H...
Legislature hears latest round of gun bills STEPHEN DOCKERY, Associated Press HELENA — State lawmakers debated the latest batch of Republican-backed gun bills Wednesday, measures that would allow legislators to carry guns in the Capitol, limit police officers' authority to seize weapons and reduce federal authority over Montana firearms. Gun-rights bills often have bipartisan backing from lawmakers who say guns are an important part of Montana life. However, the more permissive proposals now being considered have drawn c...
HELENA — Montana health officials say they will continue issuing medical marijuana cards even if Gov. Brian Schweitzer allows an overhaul bill to become law at midnight. The bill's author says that flies in the face of the measure's intent. The overhaul limits who can be a patient and who can be a pot provider. Schweitzer says he will let the Friday deadline to veto the bill pass. The bill immediately repeals Department of Public Health and Human Services' authority to register patients. The agency can register patients u...
Democrats' job training bill has initial support STEPHEN DOCKERY, Associated Press HELENA — A bill backed by Democrats to create jobs by training military veterans as truck drivers is gaining initial approval in the Senate despite Republican skepticism of such subsidies. The measure heard in a Senate committee Thursday is estimated at around a $650,000 yearly expense to allocate state funds to train veterans and their spouses as truck drivers. The bill also opens up the training services to all unemployed Montanans. R...
DNA evidence bill proposes longer storage time STEPHEN DOCKERY, Associated Press HELENA — DNA crime scene evidence needs to be stored for up to 30 years to protect wrongfully convicted criminals, according to supporters of a bill moving through the Montana Legislature. The measure would allow people convicted of murder or rape to request that the biological evidence from their cases be preserved for up to 30 years after conviction. Bill supporters say there are hundreds of wrongfully convicted people in jail and the c...
Senate panel hears bill to abolish death penalty STEPHEN DOCKERY, Associated Press HELENA — State lawmakers are again considering a proposal to abolish the death penalty in Montana for life in prison without parole. If passed, the measure would go into effect immediately and change the sentences of two inmates currently on death row in Montana. Senate Bill 185 sponsored by Democratic state Sen. David Wanzenried of Missoula drew emotional testimony from supporters and opponents of the measure Tuesday before the Senate J...
Committee considers election residency bill STEPHEN DOCKERY, Associated Press HELENA — Lawmakers heard a proposal Monday in the House State Administration Committee to give the state ethics chief greater authority to investigate alleged violations of residency requirements for legislative candidates. House Bill 349 sponsored by Republican Rep. Lila Evans of Browning would increase the Commissioner of Political Practices' funding and ability to investigate those complaints. Commissioner Jennifer Hensley said residency c...
Wolves find few friends in the Montana Capitol STEPHEN DOCKERY, Associated Press HELENA — As the Legislature moves into the second half of the session, the gray wolf is proving to be one creature with few friends in the Capitol. Lawmakers are advancing a slate of bills that call for decreasing protections for the gray wolf, while Democratic Gov. Brian Schweitzer encouraged ranchers and state agents last month to kill wolves in defiance of the federal Endangered Species Act. This year's bills against wolf protection underscore...
Eds: Adds quotes, context Gov. asks leadership for more accurate finances STEPHEN DOCKERY, Associated Press HELENA — Gov. Brian Schweitzer called for more accurate financial estimates from the Legislature's Republican leadership in a public meeting with the lawmakers Thursday morning. The Democratic governor told House Speaker Mike Milburn and Senate President Jim Peterson that he believes Republicans are using inaccurate revenue estimates to draft the state's budget. He asked if bad numbers might be behind their workers c...
Committee considers cell phone ban while driving STEPHEN DOCKERY, Associated Press HELENA — State lawmakers are considering a proposal to ban cell phone use while driving in Montana, except for hands-free devices such as headsets. Senate Bill 251 sponsored by Democratic Rep. Christine Kaufmann of Helena would levy a $100 fine for using a cell phone to text or talk while driving. The infraction would not go against the driver's record. The Senate Highways and Transportation Committee is holding a hearing on the bill on T...
Legislative panel hears gun rights bills STEPHEN DOCKERY, Associated Press HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The House Judiciary Committee heard a proposal Wednesday that would require companies to allow their employees to keep guns in their vehicles while at work, one of several gun rights bills the panel considered. The committee also held hearings Wednesday on proposals to expand concealed carry rights in cities and allow the use of silencers when hunting. Gun rights laws are often favored by the Legislature, and many gun measures h...
Legislative panel hears gun rights bills STEPHEN DOCKERY,Associated Press HELENA — Lawmakers are considering a bill that would require companies to allow their employees to keep guns in their vehicles while at work. The House Judiciary Committee also held hearings Wednesday on proposals to expand concealed carry rights in cities and allow the use of silencers when hunting. House Bill 368 would let employees keep guns in their vehicles on the company's property during the workday as long as the vehicle is locked. Gun advocacy...
AP Photo/The Independent Record, Eliza Wiley Rep. Alan Hale, R-Boulder Valley, listens to instructions during the meeting of the House Natural Resources Committee in Helena. Bar owner Hale said in a speech on the House floor this week that DUI laws are harmful to small businesses. The Republican from Basin implied that people need to drive home after drinking at their local bars. Montana lawmaker's speech perpetuates boozy image STEPHEN DOCKERY, Associated Press HELENA — A lawmaker's speech railing against drunken driving r...
