HELENA, Mont. (AP) - The Latest on Gov. Steve Bullock’s bill signings, vetoes (all times local):
3:45 p.m.
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock has signed two bills calling for better reporting and coordination in the search for missing people.
He signed Hanna’s Act, which authorizes the Department of Justice to assist with investigating missing persons cases, and another bill that requires all law enforcement agencies to accept missing persons reports.
Bullock also signed a bill Friday allowing the state to reach agreements to allow access to public lands that are surrounded by private property.
He vetoed a bill to allow lawmakers to carry concealed weapons at the state Capitol and another that would require a woman to view an ultrasound and hear her unborn child’s heartbeat before having an abortion.
Bullock also vetoed a bill that would have allowed major power plants to change their fuel source without oversight from the Department of Environmental Quality.
12:40 p.m.
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock has vetoed two more bills passed by the legislature, including one he said would give the Child and Family Ombudsman too much control over the administration of the state’s child welfare agency.
Bullock also vetoed a bill that would prevent unions from collecting a “representation fee” from non-union members. He said a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that disallows such fees is already the law of the land.
Bullock signed 30 bills on Thursday as he continues to act on nearly 300 pieces of legislation sent to his desk after the 2019 Legislature adjourned.
One bill he signed would update the stalking statute to include electronic surveillance or harassment and increase penalties for violating an order of protection or for using, or threatening to use, force or a weapon against the victim.
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