House Bill 588 was introduced in the state legislature in February 2001, and referred to the State Administration Committee. On February 19 it was heard in committee, and tabled by a 14–4 vote. The bill would have required, among other things, the teaching of "competing theories of origin" rather than "the exclusive teaching of the theory of evolution"; a "reasonably balanced presentation" of evidence "supporting and disproving each major theory of origin"; and the appointment of a volunteer citizen panel, with "supporters and nonsupporters of Darwin's theory of evolution" equally represented, to recommend instructional materials "that comply with the intent" of the bill.
For the text of HB 588, see http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/2001/billhtml/HB0588.htm
March 19, 2001