Montana SB 290 (the National Popular Vote plan for presidential elections) passed the State Senate Administration Committee on February 5, by a vote of 9-2. The committee has 6 Democrats and 5 Republicans. Both “no” votes were cast by Republicans. It is significant that most of the Republicans on the Committee voted for the bill. Since the Committee has eleven members and the Senate has only 50 members, it is likely that the bill will now pass the Senate. The sponsor, Senator Rick Laible, is a Republican.