Generally revise zoning laws to prohibit the construction of wind generation facilities.
SB 505 would amend Montana's zoning laws to allow local governments to prohibit the construction of wind energy facilities by preventing utility companies from connecting power from these projects. Specifically, it targets subsection (28) of Section 7-1-111, which would permit local governments to block utility connections for wind generation facilities defined under state law. This bill directly affects wind energy developers and local planning authorities, as it removes a key barrier to project development. The policy change focuses on utility interconnection as the mechanism for restricting wind facility construction, rather than general zoning rules. The bill did not become law, as it died in committee in 2025.
Bill status
died
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 25, 2025
Last action May 23, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
LC3515.pdf
→
SB0505_1.pdf
·
2 edits
MINOR
The bill number was updated from LC 3515 to SB 505, and a new provision was added to the zoning laws. This new rule explicitly prohibits local governments from requiring employers to provide wages or employment benefits that are not already mandated by state or federal law.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include a specific restriction on local zoning authority regarding employment benefits.
TECHNICAL
The bill identifier was changed from LC 3515 to SB 505 and the page headers were updated to reflect the new Senate Bill number.
REQUIREMENT
A new requirement was added preventing local governments from mandating that private employers provide specific wages or benefits unless those requirements are already set by state or federal law.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
15
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Amendments
1
Mar 1, 2025
Amended
(S) Tabled in Committee - (S) Energy, Technology & Federal Relations
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Energy, Technology & Federal Relations
upper
Feb 25, 2025
Introduced
(S) Introduced
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Bob Phalen
RRepublican
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