Watch, Listen to 2009 Montana Legislative Proceedings

During the 2009 legislative session, Montanans will be able for the first time to use the legislative website to watch their elected representatives debate policy issues in the House and Senate.

Gavel-to-gavel coverage of floor sessions will be broadcast online live beginning Jan. 5, the first day of the 61st session. Floor sessions generally will begin at 1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. most Saturdays. The broadcasts will also be archived for later viewing.

"The Legislature is the people’s branch of government, and it relies on citizen participation in its deliberations," said Susan Byorth Fox, executive director of the Legislative Services Division. "That’s why it’s important for us to give Montanans as much direct access to the Legislature as we can. In a state as big as ours, the ability to watch proceedings from the comfort of home is a great way to keep people informed and involved."

To access the video broadcasts, visit http://www.leg.mt.gov/broadcast. Viewers will need RealPlayer software. A free version is available by following the link on the Legislative Internet Broadcasts web page.

As in the past, the Legislature will also continue to offer live online audio broadcasts of both floor sessions and committee meetings. Audio links are accessible from the same web page as video.

In addition to Internet broadcasts, the Legislature is expanding from 4 to 51 the number of Montana communities in which legislative proceedings will be broadcast via cable television this session.

In 2001, the legislative branch launched a state government broadcast service called TVMT, but it was available only in Helena.

"The Legislative Council recently authorized expanding the network significantly so that more Montanans can watch the Legislature in action, both in committees and on the floor," Fox said.

To find out if TVMT programming is available in your area:

* contact your cable or other video service provider;

* visit http://www.leg.mt.gov and click on "Sessions" and then "Watch;" or

* call the Legislative Information Office at 406-444-2957.

Contact: Susan Byorth Fox, Director of Legislative Services, 406-444-3066
Gayle Shirley, Legislative Information Officer, 406-444-2957