House Bill No. introduced by A. Regier proposes to increase the size of the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole from five to six members, as outlined in the amendment to Section 2-15-2305 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA). The bill specifies that board members must have qualifications such as a college degree in criminology or related fields, extensive work experience in corrections or criminal justice, or a law degree. The terms of board members will remain staggered at six years, and the governor will appoint a new member to fill any vacancies. Additionally, the board is designated as a quasi-judicial body, with specific provisions regarding compensation and decision-making processes.

The bill includes a transition section that mandates the governor to appoint the sixth member within 60 days of the act's effective date, which is set for July 1, 2025. This newly appointed member will serve a term ending on January 1, 2029, after which they may be reappointed for a full six-year term. Furthermore, the appointment of this member requires confirmation by the senate, ensuring legislative oversight in the process.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 2-15-2305
HB0186_1(1): 2-15-2305
HB0186_1(2): 2-15-2305
HB0186_1(3): 2-15-2305
HB0186_1(4): 2-15-2305
HB0186_1(5): 2-15-2305
HB0186_1(6): 2-15-2305
HB0186_1(7): 2-15-2305
HB0186_1: 2-15-2305