Senate joint rules resolution
SJ 1 is a joint resolution adopting the joint legislative rules for the Montana Senate and House of Representatives for the 69th Legislature. The resolution sets the procedural framework for how the Legislature will operate during the session, including rules for remote participation by members, quorum and voting requirements, proxy voting limits, committee testimony, bill drafting and introduction, amendment processing, enrollment, transmittal deadlines, veto procedures, and the handling of joint resolutions and appropriations-related legislation.
A major feature of the resolution is its detailed authorization for legislators to participate remotely under specified conditions, with electronic authentication for remote voting and rules treating remotely participating members as present for quorum and passage purposes. It also updates or restates rules on media access, conflict disclosure, staff use of state communications, anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policy, committee procedures, fiscal notes, and the publication of journals and voting records. Because it adopts the joint rules, it governs legislative procedure rather than changing substantive policy outside the Legislature itself.
SJ 1 affects the internal rules of the Montana Legislature and the procedures used to draft, consider, amend, vote on, and finalize bills and resolutions. It does not amend the Montana Code Annotated directly, but it establishes binding procedural rules for both chambers, including remote participation standards, committee testimony rules, bill transmittal deadlines, fiscal note requirements, and enrollment and veto-response procedures. It also directs legislative staff responsibilities and public access requirements for journals, votes, and committee records.
The overall sentiment appears generally supportive, with the resolution passing both chambers by substantial margins. The Senate adopted it after an initial Rules Committee vote of 12-6, then passed it on second reading 50-0 and third reading 44-5. The House similarly adopted the rules package with strong support, passing second reading 77-22 and third reading 80-19. The vote pattern suggests broad agreement on the need to update and formalize legislative procedures, though not unanimous support.
The main points of contention likely centered on procedural changes affecting how legislators participate and how the chambers conduct business, especially remote participation, proxy voting, and the balance between flexibility and constitutional requirements that members be “present and voting.” Other potentially debated issues include committee testimony rules, media access, and the detailed rules governing bill drafting, deadlines, and leadership control over drafting priorities. The recorded no votes in both chambers indicate some members objected to aspects of the rules package, but no committee transcript is available to identify specific arguments or sponsors of opposition.