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Montana Lawmakers Consider Remote Legislative Session
Montana lawmakers on June 9 formed a bipartisan working group to consider the possibility of a remote 2021 legislative session. Legislators also sparred over the importance of wearing face masks during physical meetings amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Remote Montana legislative session possible due to virus
Montana’s legislative leaders met Tuesday by video conference to debate the return of in-person committee meetings and how lawmakers might hold a remote legislative session next year — if the coronavirus makes that necessary.
Beginning this week, interim committees are permitted to choose between remote and in-person meetings. Lawmakers who prefer not to attend in-person meetings can continue attending meetings remotely, according to the new regulations.
Rep. Kim Abbott, D-Helena, proposed requiring participants to wear masks during meetings held in the Capitol. The vote failed after a tie, with all six Democrats voting in favor of the motion, and all six Republicans opposed.
Senate Majority Leader Fred Thomas, R-Stevensville, said that mask wearing in public settings, which is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control to prevent transmission of the virus, is “a hoax to push government compliance.”
