Legislature

The Senate Judiciary Committee tabled a bill Thursday that would put assault of a former peace officer on par with assault of a current peace officer.

Lawmakers will consider a bill Friday in the House Human Services Committee that would add one line to the state’s current Medicaid program, requiring the program to cover services provided by licensed marriage and family therapists.

Distillers and a brewer testified at the Montana Capitol Wednesday to support a bill that would make their businesses operate under the same tasting room laws. Montana breweries can serve up to 48 ounces of beer per customer until 8 p.m., and it may be consumed on premise until 9 p.m. Distilleries can serve up to two ounces of liquor per customer until 8 p.m., but it has to be consumed by then too.

In an effort to control prices on air ambulance rides in Montana, lawmakers are considering urging Congress to revise the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978. Senate Joint Resolution 13 resulted from an interim committee’s study that found prices for air ambulance services in the state were leaving patients bankrupt.

In response to the discovery of invasive mussels in Tiber Reservoir in early November, lawmakers are considering implementing water basin planning committees to control and prevent certain species in bodies of water in Montana. House Bill 540 would employ councils for four rivers in the state that would consult with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on methods of preventing invasive species from entering state waters.

Republican Sen. Steve Daines abruptly canceled his scheduled address to the Legislature Tuesday after protesters assembled outside the Capitol bearing Q-tips and signs accusing him of not listening to Montanans. Daines’ office cited a “scheduling conflict” in a news release, and said the senator will now address lawmakers at 1 p.m. Wednesday.

Montana lawmakers heard testimony on a bill Tuesday that would add seasonal outdoor recreation employees to a list of people who wouldn’t necessarily be eligible for minimum wage or overtime pay. Others on that list include apprentices, or those employed in private homes doing things like babysitting or mowing lawns.

In response to a recent movement to boycott, divest and place sanctions on trade with Israel, Montana lawmakers are considering a bill that would prohibit companies that are involved in the movement from doing business in the state.

Senate Bill 262 would allow complaints of closed roads to go through county commissioners to determine whether or not certain roads are being closed unlawfully. A hearing is Tuesday before the Senate Highways and Transportation Committee.

Lawmakers heard testimony Monday on a bill that would make it illegal to perform an abortion after 24 weeks of pregnancy. Senate Bill 282 mandates that if a serious or life-threatening condition exists after 24 weeks, a healthcare provider would have to either induce labor, or deliver the baby via c-section and provide “life-sustaining support to the viable fetus.”