Sine Die of the 68th Legislature
 | Author:
Julie Dooling, House District 70 Representative
MT State Representative |
Sine Die of the 68th Legislature
Julie Dooling
House District 70 Representative
The 68th Montana Legislative Session ended Tuesday, May 2nd amid a flurry of last-minute surprises. The week before we were told that Sine Die would be called most likely on Friday, May 5th, but at the earliest, we could Sine Die on Wednesday.
When we heard that the Senate had unexpectedly called Sine Die Tuesday afternoon, we were caught off guard. Both the Majority and Minority Leadership and our incredible staff scrambled to compose several boards of the remaining bills that needed to be heard and voted on the floor, to wrap up business. We concluded the session’s work and the motion for Sine Die was made around 9 p.m.
Unfortunately, in the Senate’s haste to call Sine Die, nearly 40 bills were inadvertently killed because they didn’t properly clear the Legislative process. One of those bills was my study resolution HJ 32 – “Interim Study of Water Storage in Montana”.
Another 15+ bills are awaiting further review, as to whether or not they will be allowed to pass “as is” or be vetoed by the Governor.
The last 2 weeks of any session are generally crazy and a bit chaotic, and this session was no different.
During the last 10 days of the session, I did receive quite a bit of communication from the public regarding bills being amended in the Conference Committee. If a bill has been amended in either the House or Senate committees, it is generally done so with the Sponsor’s consent. When it is received back in the originating house, the Sponsor can either concur (agree) or do not concur (do not agree) with the amendments placed on the bill. If the Sponsor does not agree, the bill can then go to a conference committee to either have the amendment removed, amend the amendment, or have another amendment added to the bill.
Sometimes the latest amendment is something totally new that has not had a public hearing. It may have been a part of another bill that was killed or held up earlier in the session. As long as any amendment fits the title, it can be added to the bill.
Sometimes a “generally revised” bill becomes an aircraft carrier that is used in negotiations, to assist other Reps or Senators get items passed into law. Whether you think it is good practice or not, it is a legislative process that has gone on both in Montana and in D.C. Fortunately, I feel we keep most of those antics to a minimum. While our last day at the Capitol, was dramatic, it was a good last day of the session.
Thank you for allowing me to represent you in Helena.
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