SB 355 Montana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Generally revise energy laws

SB 355 revises electric utility laws by implementing a competitive bidding process for the construction of new electric transmission line projects. This process directly affects incumbent electric utilities and other entities seeking to build transmission infrastructure. For projects valued at $8 million or more, incumbent electric utilities must conduct a competitive bid, though they are permitted to participate in the bidding. Ultimately, the incumbent electric utility retains the right to own and maintain the completed transmission line, regardless of who constructs it.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 18, 2025 Signed May 8, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB0355_X(3).pdf SB0355_X(4).pdf · 1 edit
MINOR
The diff shows only minor formatting and spacing changes to the bill title and ending markers, with no substantive policy modifications. The bill's scope, requirements, and applicability remain unchanged.
TECHNICAL

Removed extra blank lines and adjusted spacing around the bill title and ending markers without altering any substantive content.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 4, 2025 · House Apr 11, 2025

How they voted

500
Passed
Total votes 50
Mar 4, 2025
D Democratic18
18 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican32
32 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
41
Key actions
9
Committee
6
May 5, 2025
Signed into law
(S) Signed by Governor
upper
Apr 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
Apr 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
Apr 11, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (98-1-1)
house
Mar 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Energy, Technology and Federal Relations
lower
Mar 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Energy, Technology and Federal Relations
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Energy, Technology and Federal Relations
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (50-0)
senate
Feb 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Energy, Technology & Federal Relations
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Energy, Technology & Federal Relations
upper
Feb 21, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Energy, Technology & Federal Relations
upper
Feb 18, 2025
Introduced
(S) Introduced
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Wylie Galt
Wylie Galt
RRepublican
MT
39