House Joint Resolution 72 requests an interim legislative study of how the Montana Department of Justice shares personal information from driver records. The resolution frames the study around the Montana Driver Privacy Protection Act and asks lawmakers to examine why information is shared, what data is disclosed, who receives it, how recipients use it, and how the department tracks those disclosures. It also asks whether the sharing is necessary and whether it generates revenue for the Department of Justice.
The study would be assigned by the Legislative Council to an interim or statutory committee, or alternatively to staff, with findings reviewed by a designated committee if staff conduct the work. The resolution sets a deadline for completion before September 15, 2026, and requires the final results, including any findings or recommendations, to be reported to the 70th Legislature. As a study resolution, it does not directly change substantive law, but it could inform future legislation or administrative changes related to motor vehicle record privacy and data disclosure practices.
Impact
HJ 72 would not itself amend the Montana Driver Privacy Protection Act or other statutes, but it would direct a formal interim review of the Department of Justice’s handling of personal information from driver records. The practical impact is to create a legislative fact-finding process on disclosure practices, privacy protections, data recipients, and any revenue associated with sharing records, potentially laying the groundwork for later statutory or policy changes affecting the Department of Justice, government agencies, and private entities that receive driver-record information.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have generally favorable support in the Legislature, as reflected by its strong passage through committee and on the House floor. The Judiciary Committee recommended do pass by a wide margin, and the measure passed second and third reading with substantial majorities. The available record suggests broad interest in reviewing privacy practices, with the bill framed as a protective measure for Montanans’ personal information.
Contention
The main point of contention is the balance between privacy protection and the existing authorized sharing of driver-record information. Supporters emphasize the need to understand and potentially limit disclosure of personal data, while any opposition likely centers on whether the study is necessary, whether current law already provides adequate safeguards, and whether the Department of Justice’s data-sharing practices serve legitimate governmental or business purposes. The vote totals show some dissent, indicating at least a minority of legislators were unconvinced or concerned about the study’s scope or implications.