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SJ 35MONTANASession 2025State Billpassed both

Passed

Montana Legislature directs interim study on voter list maintenance and integrity for the 70th Legislature

Original title: Interim study of voter list maintenance and integrity

Last action · May 6, 2025: (S) Filed with Secretary of StateSponsor: Theresa Manzella

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Would Do

The Montana Legislature requests an interim legislative committee to study practices, evaluate database integrations, and report its findings and proposed legislation prior to September 15, 2026.

Why it matters

Establishes a formal legislative review of how county and state election lists are managed, which may lead to new statutory requirements or changes in voter registration database coordination.

Background

Interim studies in Montana are conducted between legislative sessions by committees to research complex policy topics and draft potential legislation. context

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

county election administrators

Local voter list maintenance practices will be studied and evaluated for potential statutory or operational changes.

Directly affected

Office of the Secretary of State

State-level voter list management and database coordination will be reviewed as part of the interim study.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary goal of SJ 35?

To direct an interim legislative study examining and integrity, with the final findings and any proposed legislation reported to the 70th Legislature.

When must the interim study be completed?

All aspects of the study must be concluded prior to September 15, 2026.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Currently passed both. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.

Procedural history

36 actions

May 6, 2025Senate
(S) Filed with Secretary of State
May 6, 2025House
(H) Signed by Speaker
May 6, 2025Senate
(S) Signed by President
May 2, 2025Senate
(S) Returned from Enrolling
Apr 30, 2025Senate
(S) Sent to Enrolling
Apr 30, 2025House
(H) 3rd Reading

Show 30 earlier actions

Apr 30, 2025House
(H) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
Apr 30, 2025House
(H) 2nd Reading
Apr 30, 2025House
(H) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
Apr 29, 2025HouseCommittee
(H) Committee Report
Apr 29, 2025HouseCommittee
(H) Committee Executive Action
Apr 28, 2025House
(H) 1st Reading
Apr 28, 2025House
(H) Hearing
Apr 28, 2025HouseCommittee
(H) Referred to Committee
Apr 25, 2025Senate
(S) Transmitted to House
Apr 25, 2025Senate
(S) 3rd Reading
Apr 25, 2025Senate
(S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
Apr 24, 2025Senate
(S) 2nd Reading
Apr 24, 2025Senate
(S) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
Apr 22, 2025SenateCommittee
(S) Committee Report
Apr 18, 2025SenateCommittee
(S) Committee Executive Action
Apr 18, 2025Senate
(S) Hearing
Apr 14, 2025Senate
(S) Hearing
Apr 11, 2025SenateCommittee
(S) Referred to Committee
Apr 11, 2025Senate
(S) 1st Reading
Apr 11, 2025SenateIntroduced
(S) Introduced
Apr 11, 2025House
(LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
Apr 11, 2025House
(LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
Apr 10, 2025House
(LC) Draft in Assembly
Apr 10, 2025House
(LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review
Apr 10, 2025House
(LC) Draft in Input/Proofing
Apr 7, 2025House
(LC) Draft in Edit
Apr 7, 2025House
(LC) Draft in Legal Review
Mar 25, 2025House
(LC) Draft Taken Off Hold
Feb 19, 2025House
(LC) Draft On Hold
Dec 14, 2024House
(LC) Drafter Assigned

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Connected Entities

Department of Public Health and Human Services, T. Tezak, J. Trebas and 8 more

OrganizationDepartment of Public Health and Human Services“Maintains state databases evaluated for voter list accuracy.”Map →

PersonT. Tezak“Introduced the joint resolution.”Map →

PersonJ. Trebas“Introduced the joint resolution.”Map →

PersonS. Vance“Introduced the joint resolution.”Map →

OrganizationMotor Vehicle Division“Maintains databases evaluated for voter list accuracy.”Map →

PersonTheresa Manzella“Primary sponsor of the joint resolution.”Map →

OrganizationLegislative Council“Tasked with designating an appropriate interim committee or statutory committee.”Map →

OrganizationUnited States Postal Service“Maintains national databases evaluated for voter list accuracy.”Map →

OrganizationDepartment of Corrections“Maintains state databases evaluated for voter list accuracy.”Map →

OrganizationOffice of the Secretary of State“State agency involved in voter list maintenance at the state level.”Map →

locationMontana“State where the joint resolution was enacted.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

bills.legmt.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance45
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy30
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz20
Current news / social attention level

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