| Daniel Zolnikov is a liberty-minded Republican who represented the Billings Heights' House District 45 in the Montana Legislature. He is a strong believer in the second amendment, limited government and civil liberties concerning our freedoms and rights. Daniel served in the Montana legislature from 2013-2020.
Daniel specialized in the areas of energy, technology and civil liberty policy. He has been a staunch supporter of new technological innovations including blockchain and ride-sharing. He has passed a variety of nationally leading liberty legislation regarding privacy and our fourth amendment rights, and has successfully passed anti-human trafficking legislation. Daniel has served as the Chairman of the House Energy and Technology committee since 2017 and has passed forward thinking pieces of energy legislation that have reformed Montana's procurement and competitive solicitation laws while also working to maintain Montana's role as an energy exporter.
As a Representative who first served in his mid 20's, Daniel has specialized in 21st century policy that have addressed the opportunities and risks associated with new technologies. Daniel has successfully passed laws that have-requiring the government to get a warrant in order to access cellphone information, electronic devices and digital communications protected reporters' electronic communications from government intrusion, given immunity from MIP laws to minors who seek emergency medical attention, created a law enforcement human trafficking task force aimed at combating sex slavery.
He also helped lead the effort to revise Montana's outdated transportation laws to allow ride-sharing services like Uber to operate in Montana, while also worked across the aisle to pass pro-block chain legislation. Most recently, Daniel passed a law that ensured the smart meter data that energy utilities collect about you belongs to you. He also removed an unnecessary concealed permit requirement.
Forbes ranked Daniel among the top "30 Under 30" policymakers in the nation, and Red Alert Politics recognized him as one of the country's Top 30 Conservatives under the age of 30. He has also received the Montana Library Association's "Intellectual Freedom Award" along with Responsibility.org's "Advancing Alcohol Responsibility" leadership award. Most recently, Daniel earned the Superintendent of Public Instruction's LEARN award for his work on education policy. Daniel also was named a Griz of the Decade from UM.
Daniel received his undergraduate degree from the University of Montana where he earned three business majors in Information Systems, Marketing, and Management, along with a minor in Political Science. Outside of the Legislature, Daniel has worked as a coach, an energy developer and a small business consultant. He recently earned his MBA.
Daniel enjoys fishing, swimming, and the freedom that only Big Sky Country can offer. |