_____________ bill NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT PROVIDING THAT MEMBERS OF THE MONTANA LEGISLATURE MUST BE SEATED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER IN THE RESPECTIVE HOUSE AND SENATE CHAMBERS; AMENDING SECTIONS 5-2-212 AND 5-2-213, MCA; and PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

Section 1. Section 5-2-212, MCA, is amended to read:

"5-2-212. Organization of senate. (1) At 12 noon on the day appointed for the meeting of any regular session of the legislature, the senior member present must take the chair, call the senators and senators-elect to order, call over the senators from the certified roster prepared by the secretary of state, and then, from the certified roster prepared by the secretary of state, call over the senatorial districts and counties, in their order, from which members have been elected at the preceding election. After the same are called, the members-elect must take the constitutional oath of office and assume their seats as provided in subsection (2). The senate may thereupon at that time, if a quorum is present, proceed to elect its officers.

(2)        Members of the senate must be seated in alphabetical order by the member's last name in the senate chambers for the duration of a regular or special session."

Section 2. Section 5-2-213, MCA, is amended to read:

"5-2-213. Organization of house of representatives. (1) At the time specified in 5-2-212, the secretary of state or, in case of the secretary of state's absence or inability, the senior member-elect present shall take the chair, call the members-elect of the house of representatives to order, and then, from the certified roster prepared by the secretary of state, call over the roll of counties and districts. After the names are called, the members-elect shall take the constitutional oath of office and assume their seats as provided in subsection (2). The house of representatives may at that time, if a quorum is present, proceed to elect its officers.

(2)        Members of the house of representatives must be seated in alphabetical order by the member's last name in the house chambers for the duration of a regular or special session."

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.