Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana HJ56: Study resolution of search and rescue services and funding
Status: Passed one chamber, May 6, 2025
What the bill says
A joint resolution of the senate and the house of representatives of the state of montana requesting an interim study of the search and rescue services available and funded in montana; and requesting that the final results of the study be reported to the 70th legislature.
From the engrossed text:
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF THE SEARCH AND RESCUE SERVICES AVAILABLE AND FUNDED IN MONTANA; AND REQUESTING THAT THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 70TH LEGISLATURE. WHEREAS, the state of Montana is the fourth largest state in the United States in terms of overall landmass with over 94 million acres; and WHEREAS, Montana's unique landscape provides countless opportunities for outdoor recreation; and WHEREAS, in 2023, Montana law enforcement agencies entered 2,263 missing persons into the Montana Missing Persons Clearinghouse; and WHEREAS, Montana is one of the only states in the Unites States without a statewide search and rescue program or coordinator; and WHEREAS, pursuant to section 7-32-2121, MCA, each county sheriff has statutory authority to conduct search and rescue operations; and WHEREAS, tribal authorities are responsible for search and rescue within their respective jurisdictions; and WHEREAS, the resources needed for search and rescue operations often exceed those readily available to local jurisdictions; and WHEREAS, much of Montana is made up of extremely remote areas that necessitate the use of specialized equipment not readily available to local jurisdictions, often requiring the use of privately owned equipment, such as boats or aircraft; and WHEREAS, search and rescue personnel often need to be …
Sponsors
- Mitchell, Braxton (R, 5) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : (H) Filed with Secretary of State
- : (S) Signed by President
- : (H) Signed by Speaker
- : (H) Returned from Enrolling
- : (H) Sent to Enrolling
- : (S) 3rd Reading
- : (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (S) 2nd Reading
- : (S) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
- : (S) Committee Report
Votes
- Do Concur (April 29, 2025): 33 yea, 17 nay, passed
- Do Concur (April 28, 2025): 34 yea, 13 nay, passed
- Do Pass (April 23, 2025): 96 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Do Pass (April 22, 2025): 96 yea, 4 nay, passed
Subjects: Interim Study Resolutions, Emergency Services
Common questions
- What is HJ56?
- HJ56 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Study resolution of search and rescue services and funding.
- What does HJ56 do?
- In its own words: A joint resolution of the senate and the house of representatives of the state of montana requesting an interim study of the search and rescue services available and funded in montana; and requesting that the final results of the study be reported to the 70th legislature.
- What is the status of HJ56?
- Passed one chamber as of May 6, 2025. Latest action: (H) Filed with Secretary of State (May 6, 2025).
- Who sponsored HJ56?
- Mitchell, Braxton (R, 5).
- Where is the official record for HJ56?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC4482
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.