Montana's Sb-333: Law Or Not?

In 2023, the Montana Senate Bill 333 (SB-333) was introduced to create an offence for trespassing by unmanned aerial vehicle. The bill passed its second reading and was amended, but ultimately failed in the House on May 8, 2023. This was not the first time a bill generated controversy in Montana; in 2021, Senate Bill 319 (SB-319) was challenged in court by several Montana attorneys, the Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and voting advocacy nonprofit Forward Montana, who claimed that last-minute changes to the bill violated the Montana Constitution. While SB-333 did not become law, it is worth examining the trajectory of the bill and the discussions surrounding it to understand the legislative process and the potential implications for privacy and civil liberties in Montana.

What is SB-333?

SB-333 refers to the Montana Senate Bill 333, which was passed on March 2, 2023. The bill aimed to create an offence for trespassing by an unmanned aerial vehicle. However, it failed in the House on May 8, 2023, and did not become law.

The bill's progress through the legislative process can be traced back to its introduction and first reading. It was then referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where it underwent amendments and was passed as amended. The bill was transmitted to the House for consideration, where it faced further amendments and procedural steps. Ultimately, it did not pass the House and failed to become law.

The bill's failure in the House suggests that there may have been concerns or disagreements among legislators about its content or potential impact. It is important to note that for a bill to become law, it typically needs to pass through several stages, including introduction, committee consideration, floor debate and vote, and potential amendments. In this case, SB-333 did not successfully navigate this process and did not become law in Montana.

The specific reasons for the bill's failure are not immediately clear and would require further investigation. However, it is worth noting that the creation of an offence for trespassing by an unmanned aerial vehicle, often referred to as a drone, is a complex and evolving area of law. As drone technology becomes more prevalent and accessible, legislators and policymakers are faced with the challenge of balancing privacy, safety, and regulatory concerns.

Did it pass in the Senate?

Senate Bill 333 (SB 333) in Montana, which aimed to create an offence for trespassing by an unmanned aerial vehicle, did pass in the Senate. It was passed on March 2, 2023, and then transmitted to the House.

However, the bill ultimately failed to become law. After being scheduled for a second and third reading in the House, it was tabled in the House Judiciary Committee. It then underwent a series of amendments, with a motion to amend carried, before eventually failing in the House on May 8, 2023.

Did it pass in the House?

Senate Bill 333 (SB 333) of the Montana Senate in 2023, which was concerned with creating an offence of trespass by an unmanned aerial vehicle, failed in the House on May 8, 2023.

The bill was first passed on March 2, 2023, and was then transmitted to the House. It was scheduled for a second reading, which it passed as amended. A motion to amend was carried, and a new version of the bill was printed. The bill was then tabled in the House Judiciary Committee, before a hearing, referral, and another hearing in the same committee. It was then reported that the bill had been passed as amended by the House Judiciary Committee.

However, the bill ultimately failed in the House on May 8, 2023.

What was the date of the vote?

The Montana Senate Bill 333 (SB 333) was passed on March 2, 2023. The bill aimed to create an offence for trespassing by an unmanned aerial vehicle. However, it failed in the House on May 8, 2023.

On April 21, 2023, the Montana legislature unanimously passed a separate bill, SB 384, which focused on consumer data privacy. This bill was sponsored by Republican Senator Daniel Zolnikov. With the passing of SB 384, Montana became the first Republican-controlled legislature to pass a consumer privacy bill, joining states like California, Colorado, and Connecticut in having strong consumer data privacy laws.

The Montana bill is notable for lowering the applicability threshold to 50,000 consumers, taking into account the state's smaller population. It also includes provisions for universal opt-out mechanisms, additional privacy protections for children, and broad privacy rights for residents to revoke their consent and request data deletion.

The bill was pending procedural formalities and was expected to be sent to Montana Governor Greg Gianforte for approval, signature, or veto. If signed by the Governor, the bill would go into effect on October 1, 2024.

What was the vote regarding?

The vote on Montana Senate Bill 333 was regarding the creation of an offence for trespassing by unmanned aerial vehicle. The bill passed its second reading with amendments, but ultimately failed in the House on 8 May 2023.

The bill was first introduced by Senator Bruce (Butch) Gillespie and passed its second reading in the Senate on 2 March 2023. It was then referred to the House Judiciary Committee, where it underwent further amendments before being transmitted back to the House.

The bill, if it had become law, would have created a new offence for trespassing by unmanned aerial vehicle, often referred to as a drone. This means that operating a drone over someone else's property without their permission would have been illegal.

The specific details of the bill and the reasons for its failure in the House are not publicly available. However, it is clear that the bill underwent several amendments during its progression through the Senate and House, indicating that there were likely complex discussions and negotiations surrounding its provisions.

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