[NFBMT] Montana Legislative Update: Notice of Public Hearing on Friday, January 22, 2021

Sat Jan 16 17:42:48 UTC 2021

Correcting a mistake.

Maybe this will clarify things a bit.  

Hello, fellow Montana Federationists.

A draft of Senate bill SB15, which seeks to revise election laws related to
accessibility for disabled electors, has been referred to the State
Administration Committee for its first public hearing, which will take place
at 3:00 PM on January 22, 2021.  These dates are always subject to change
with very little notice. See below.

Friday, January 22, 2021 

At 3:00 pm, the Senate State Administration Committee will hear SB 15,
"Revise election laws related to accessibility for disabled electors." 

<https://default.salsalabs.org/T25117135-5663-4440-8d98-c11fcc62d1dd/8f0c3288
-d692-4771-8eaa-55820487dc85> Click here to read this bill. 

This bill was drafted by the interim State Administration and Veterans
Affairs Committee, which sought out input from all stakeholders.  This bill
addresses the availability of accessible voting machines, including assuring
their use in school and other non-federal elections. It also makes various
changes regarding the use of registered agents for voting, referring to
applicable federal law, accessibility of polling places, and protecting
people with disabilities' ability to cast ballots and receive voting
assistance.         

It is sponsored by Sen. Janet Ellis and will be heard in room 335. 

<https://default.salsalabs.org/T01a39a05-a1b3-4428-b7a3-156bb0ec056d/8f0c3288
-d692-4771-8eaa-55820487dc85> Click here for the contact information for the
Senate State Administration Committee.

You may testify in favor of this bill either remotely or in person, or you
may send in written testimony. 

 <https://leg.mt.gov/public-testimony> Request To Testify Remotely/Upload
Your Testimony

*	You will be able to select from the bills that are currently
scheduled for hearing for the next 3 days. 
*	By noon the day before the hearing, you will be able to submit your
written testimony, write a brief message, or request a Zoom link to testify
in the bill hearing.
*	Fill out the form with the pertinent details and submit.  You will
receive an email confirmation.
*	You do not have to testify in order to submit written comments.
Written comments received by the deadline will be distributed to all
committee members. However, if you request a Zoom link, we request that you
write a brief message in the event of technical difficulties so that your
name will be entered into the record. 
*	Written testimony that is submitted after the deadline or submitted
at the hearing will only be included in the minutes.
*	Rules of decorum must be followed and the Presiding Officer will call
on you when it is your turn to speak.  Follow the Zoom directions and raise
your hand to let the Remote Committee Coordinator know when you want to
speak.  We will not assume that because you requested the Zoom link that you
automatically want to testify.   There may be limits placed on how many
people are allowed to testify remotely on each bill.

<http://laws.leg.mt.gov/reports/rwservlet?legprdext&report=LAW0635R.rdf&p_ses
sion_Id=20211&paramform=yes> View Hearing Schedule

 <https://leg.mt.gov/faq-remote-testimony> View FAQs For Remote Testimony

You can also still provide public comment how you used to:

 <https://leg.mt.gov/web-messaging> Send A Web Message To A
Legislator/Committee

Call the Information Desk at 406.444.4800

Mail Comments to:
Montana State Legislature
State Capitol
PO Box 201706
Helena, MT 59620-1706

Legislative Meetings & Hearings are Streamed and Recorded

 <http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00309/Harmony/en> Watch/Listen To Meetings

How to Contact Legislators During the Session

 <https://leg.mt.gov/web-messaging> Send messages through the website:

Use the online messaging form to message a legislator. This is one of the
quickest and most effective ways of contacting your legislator. 

Phone Call

Regular office hours during the session are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and
8 a.m. to adjournment on Saturdays. Callers may leave messages for
legislators or acquire general legislative information by calling the
Information Desk at (406) 444-4800. Callers may leave messages for up to 5
individual legislators or 1 legislative committee per call.

Mail Comments to:
Montana State Legislature
State Capitol
PO Box 201706
Helena, MT 59620-1706

Legislative Meetings & Hearings are Streamed and Recorded

 <http://sg001-harmony.sliq.net/00309/Harmony/en> Watch/Listen To Meetings

Joy Breslauer, First Vice President

National Federation of the Blind of Montana 

Web Site: 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. 

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. 