Senate Bill No. introduced by M. Regier aims to extend legislative immunity to legislative staff, ensuring that they are protected from being questioned or compelled to testify in judicial proceedings regarding privileged legislative information. The bill establishes that legislative staff may not disclose such information, which must be treated as confidential, and clarifies that the introduction or public discussion of a bill by a legislator does not waive this privilege. This legislative immunity is intended to align with the principles established in the United States Supreme Court cases, particularly Gravel v. United States, which recognized the critical role of legislative aides in the legislative process.

The bill amends Sections 2-9-101 and 2-9-901 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to include new definitions and provisions related to legislative staff and privileged legislative information. Notably, it defines "legislative staff" to include employees or contractors of the legislative branch, personal staff of legislative leadership, and attorneys or consultants hired by legislative leadership. Additionally, it specifies that privileged legislative information is protected based on common law, constitutional law, or statutory legislative immunity. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 2-9-101, 2-9-901
SB0352_1(1): 2-9-101, 2-9-901
SB0352_1(2): 2-9-101, 2-9-901
SB0352_1(3): 2-9-101, 2-9-901
SB0352_1(4): 2-9-101, 2-9-901
SB0352_1: 2-9-101, 2-9-901