The Montana Senate will hold public confirmation hearings during the next week for close to 200 people nominated by the governor in the past two years to serve on various state boards and councils.
The Senate Highways and Transportation Committee will meet Thursday, Feb. 12, at 3 p.m. in Room 405 of the State Capitol to consider the nominations of Barb Skelton of Billings, Rick Griffith of Butte, and Diann Seymour-Winterburn of Helena to the Transportation Commission (Senate Resolution 3).
The Senate State Administration Committee will meet Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. in Room 335 to consider confirming the nominations of almost 200 Montanans to various boards and councils (SR2).
The Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee will meet Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. in Room 303 to consider the nominations of Clayton Christian of Missoula (SR 6) and Mitchell Jessen of Dillon (SR 4) to the Board of Regents, and Bernard Olson of Lakeside to the Board of Public Education (SR 5).
The Senate Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation Committee will meet Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. in Room 335 to consider the nomination of Brett DeBruycker of Dutton to the Board of Livestock (SR 7).
According to the Montana Constitution (Art. VI, Sec. 8), the Senate must confirm the governor's appointments of all state officers whose appointment or election is not otherwise legally provided for. Under the Senate Rules, senators may consider the confirmations singly or as a group. Any senator may ask the committee chair to segregate one or more nominees in a separate resolution.
Following the confirmation hearings, the committee will make recommendations to the full Senate, which will vote to accept or reject the appointments. The House does not play a role in gubernatorial confirmations.
All legislative meeting schedules are subject to change. For up-to-date information, visit the legislative website at www.leg.mt.gov or call the Legislative Information Office at 406-444-2957.
