HB 616 Montana House · 2025 Regular Session

Allow data modeling for mine bond release

House Bill 616 allows strip and underground mine operators to use data modeling when applying for the release of their reclamation performance bonds. This means that when an operator seeks to recover the financial guarantee for restoring mined land, they can now include predictive modeling to demonstrate compliance with approved reclamation plans. This modeling will be used in conjunction with traditional monitoring data submitted to the relevant state department. The bill provides an additional method for mine operators to prove they have met environmental restoration requirements.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 20, 2025 Signed May 5, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB0616_X(2).pdf HB0616_X(3).pdf · 1 edit
MINOR
The revision to HB 616 removes a trailing period from the title line, which was likely an error in the previous version. This change does not alter the bill's substantive policy, scope, or legal requirements.
TECHNICAL

Removed a trailing period from the end of the bill title line.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 15, 2025 · House Mar 7, 2025

How they voted

491
Passed
Total votes 50
Apr 15, 2025
D Democratic18
17 Yea 1 Nay
94% Yea
R Republican32
32 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
39
Key actions
9
Committee
6
May 1, 2025
Signed into law
(H) Signed by Governor
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
Apr 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (49-1)
senate
Apr 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Natural Resources
upper
Apr 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Natural Resources
upper
Mar 14, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Natural Resources
upper
Mar 7, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (90-9-1)
house
Mar 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Natural Resources
lower
Mar 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Natural Resources
lower
Feb 21, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Natural Resources
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Steve Gist
Steve Gist
RRepublican
MT
25