The Montana Senate is reviewing significant bills related to school vaccination exemptions and changes to late voter registration laws. Senate Bill 474 proposes easier personal exemptions for vaccinations, while Senate Bill 490 suggests modifications to registration deadlines. These proposals have sparked discussions about public health and electoral access.
The Montana Senate is currently engaged in extended floor sessions as the transmittal deadline nears, focusing on significant legislative proposals. One of the key bills, Senate Bill 474, passed with a vote of 29-21. Proposed by Republican Senator Daniel Emrich from Great Falls, this bill aims to simplify the process for individuals to claim personal exemptions from school vaccination requirements.
Senator Emrich shared a personal story regarding his daughter’s serious health issue following vaccination, emphasizing the importance of individual choice. He stated, “People need the right to choose. We can’t force everybody to get a vaccine. Most people want to get a vaccine; there’s not that many people that don’t. But we need to give them that option, that freedom to choose.”
Opponents of the bill argue that the existing exemption process is sufficient and expressed concerns about the potential public health implications of increased vaccine opt-outs. Senator Cora Neumann, a Democrat from Bozeman and public health advocate, remarked, “The only reason that people in this country can decide not to get vaccines … is because my kids are vaccinated.”
Additionally, the Senate approved Senate Bill 490 with a vote of 33-17, which aims to modify Montana’s late voter registration laws. The current provision allows voters to register until noon on the Monday preceding the election, as well as on Election Day. However, the proposed bill would eliminate registration opportunities on that Monday, instead permitting registration on the Saturday before the election.
Critics have voiced concerns that these changes may hinder voter registration, particularly among younger voters. Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers, Democrat from Belgrade, criticized the plan, stating, “One thing that I think is going to really suppress the vote is the stop-start — so you can register Saturday, Sunday, but you can’t register Monday.”
Supporters of Senate Bill 490 argue that the amendments would ease the strain on election workers by addressing long lines experienced during same-day registration, while also adhering to a Montana Supreme Court ruling that prevented a bill seeking to abolish same-day registration. Senator Theresa Manzella, Republican from Hamilton, commented, “We are trying to work around the court’s decision, and make same-day registration available to people, to the very best of our ability, and still have an efficient, safe election.”
In summary, the Montana Senate is deliberating on key legislative proposals concerning vaccination exemptions and late voter registration. Senate Bill 474 aims to provide individuals more freedom in opting out of school vaccinations, while Senate Bill 490 proposes significant changes to registration laws. Both bills have elicited considerable debate, highlighting contrasting views on public health, individual choice, and electoral accessibility.
Original Source: www.ktvh.com
