[NFBMT] HJ3

[BRUCE&JOY BRESLAUER]

2019 Montana Legislature

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 3

INTRODUCED BY F. MANDEVILLE Email: Forrest.Mandeville at mtleg.gov

Bill Actions - Current Bill Progress: In Second House Committee--Nontabled

This bill had a hearing before the Senate on February 11, 2019.

Audio <javascript:explain_link_new()>   

 

BY REQUEST OF THE STATE ADMINISTRATION AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS INTERIM
COMMITTEE

 

A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
STATE OF MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM LEGISLATIVE STUDY ON ACCESSIBILITY FOR
ELECTORS WITH DISABILITIES.

 

     WHEREAS, the State Administration and Veterans' Affairs Interim
Committee during the 2017-2018 interim learned about accessible voting
technology for electors with disabilities and conducted a preliminary review
of related state statutes; and

     WHEREAS, the preliminary review revealed that Montana statutes could be
updated with respect to federal law references and statutory language
concerning accessible voting machines and technology; and

     WHEREAS, the review also raised significant policy questions about how
to improve accessibility for electors with disabilities; and

     WHEREAS, an interim study would allow for a systematic review of federal
and state laws concerning accessibility for electors with disabilities and a
careful examination of related policy issues with the participation of all
interested stakeholder groups.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

     That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate
interim committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, to:

     (1) examine federal and state laws related to accessibility for electors
with disabilities;

     (2) solicit and consider comments, concerns, and suggestions from all
interested stakeholder groups, including BUT NOT LIMITED TO the elections
staff in the Office of the Secretary of State, THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC
INSTRUCTION, election administrators, counties, school districts, elderly
electors, and electors with disabilities;

     (3) identify and analyze relevant policy and logistical issues and
options; and

     (4) if appropriate, develop a committee bill to update or revise related
state laws based on the committee's study findings and recommendations.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study be concluded prior
to September 15, 2020.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including
any findings, conclusions, comments, or recommendations of the appropriate
committee, be reported to the 67th Legislature.

 

We were not there to testify at this hearing, but we can still send in our
testimonies. 

 

Joy Breslauer, First Vice President

National Federation of the Blind of Montana 

Web Site: http://www.nfbofmt.org <http://www.nfbofmt.org/> 

 

Live the life you want

 

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want.