HELENA – General election days would no longer be a paid holiday for state employees under a bill endorsed by the House.
House Bill 431 by Republican Rep. Keith Regier of Kalispell passed on a 64-35 vote Tuesday. It faces a final House vote before going to the Senate.
Regier says his constituents have expressed frustration at state government being closed that day.
Democratic Rep. Diane Sands of Missoula opposed the bill, saying many state and local government employees work as election judges, and ending the holiday would make it harder for election officials to find judges.
Lee Newspapers of Montana reports there was little debate on the bill.