SB 431 would have prevented homeowners' associations (HOAs) from enforcing new restrictions on residential property that are stricter than those in place when the owner purchased the property, unless the owner signed a written agreement at the time of the rule change. It required owners claiming this protection to record their exception with the county and notify other owners, while preserving existing rules that were already in place at purchase. The bill also clarified that HOAs couldn’t enforce changes to restrict uses (like renting or home businesses) beyond what was allowed when the property was acquired, except for rules required by law. However, this bill was withdrawn and died in process in 2025, so it did not become law.
SB 31 would change Montana's IOLTA (Interest on Lawyer Trust Account) program from mandatory to voluntary. Currently, lawyers must deposit client funds into IOLTA accounts where the interest goes to the Montana Justice Foundation, not the client. This bill would require lawyers to get a client’s written consent before using IOLTA, giving clients three options: a non-interest account, an interest-bearing account where they receive the interest, or the IOLTA program. The bill directly affects Montana lawyers and their clients by altering how client funds are handled and who receives the interest earned.
SB 529 would limit contributions from certain tax-exempt nonprofits (like 501(c)(4) groups) to Montana political committees. It sets a $2,500 cap on such contributions to support or oppose candidates or ballot measures, bans direct contributions to candidates, and prohibits contributions if the nonprofit received foreign donations in the past four years. The bill directly affects tax-exempt organizations and political committees, aiming to increase transparency in campaign financing. It does not apply to regular voters or general public funding. (Note: The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.)
SB 179 would have allowed Montana nonprofit living history organizations, volunteers, and historical reenactment groups to host "Wild West Casino Nights" as fundraising events. These events would permit the use of antique gambling devices (like replica roulette wheels or faro tables) with imitation money, limited to 12 hours total per year (split into two 6-hour sessions), and require prizes to be merchandise or cash under set limits. Proceeds would fund civic, charitable, or educational purposes, with no more than 50% of funds covering administrative costs, and organizers could not be paid. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and was never enacted.
SB 391 would revise Montana's rules for public notice and participation in open-pit mining permit applications. It requires the Department of Environmental Quality to formally respond to public comments on permit applications and updates definitions related to mining operations. This directly affects mining operators seeking permits, nearby residents (especially those within ½ mile of proposed sites), and landowners whose property may be impacted. The bill aims to strengthen public engagement by ensuring written responses to community concerns before permits are issued.
SB 453, the "Electronic Data Ownership Act," would establish that electronic data created by Montana residents belongs to them personally, requiring entities holding such data to hold it in trust. It prohibits selling this data to the federal government without the resident’s explicit consent and restricts disclosure to federal authorities except under specific legal orders (like subpoenas), requiring notice to the individual unless court-ordered delays apply. The bill also mandates actual payment for data sales, bans unfair contract terms forcing data forfeiture, and prohibits inheriting data upon death without prior election. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.
SB 558 proposed replacing school property taxes with a statewide sales tax to fund public schools. It would create a new general sales tax, redirect all revenue to a dedicated school funding account, and repeal existing statewide property tax levies for schools. The bill would directly affect school districts and property taxpayers by shifting funding responsibility from local property taxes to a statewide sales tax, with certain exemptions (like agricultural sales) specified. However, the bill was tabled in committee and died in the legislative process in 2025, so it never became law.
SB 52 proposed creating Montana's Court of Chancery to handle specialized cases in business law, land use, and constitutional disputes. It would have jurisdiction over matters like contract breaches, business restructurings, land permits (excluding local zoning), and cases exceeding $80,000 in monetary value. Key provisions included a 150-day case resolution target, mandatory arbitration/mediation options, and three specialized judges appointed by the governor. The bill was withdrawn and died in process (2025) and never became law, so it did not affect any current legal procedures.
SB 462 proposes changes to Montana's driver licensing laws. It would lower the minimum age for restricted licenses from 16 to 15 (with specific conditions), allow counties to request monthly driver examinations instead of requiring them monthly statewide, and add a requirement for the DMV to verify non-citizens' lawful U.S. presence using federal systems. The bill directly affects Montana residents seeking licenses, particularly teens, non-citizens, and local counties managing exam scheduling. These changes were proposed but did not become law, as the bill died in committee in May 2025.
SB 372 establishes minimum nurse-to-patient ratios for Montana hospitals, requiring specific limits in key units (e.g., 1 nurse per critical ER patient, 2 per ICU patient, 4 per medical-surgical unit). It mandates hospitals to create annual staffing plans with input from direct-care nurses, form committees where at least half the members are frontline nurses, and publicly post these plans. Hospitals must track and report actual nurse-to-patient ratios for each shift and unit, ensuring transparency for staff, patients, and the public. The bill directly affects all Montana hospitals licensed by the Department of Public Health, requiring concrete changes to staffing practices and reporting.
SB 123 allows Montana's Division of Disaster and Emergency Services to coordinate multiple water-related permits during a governor-proclaimed emergency. It directly affects state agencies (like natural resources and environmental departments), local governments, and federal agencies handling permits for stream work, floodplain projects, river bed uses, and water quality certifications. The bill requires centralized coordination to prevent duplicate efforts, track permits publicly, and share technical data - without forcing federal action - while maintaining existing environmental standards for activities like construction near waterways.
SB 551 would establish a licensing system for online fantasy sports companies operating in Montana, requiring them to obtain approval from the Department of Justice. It defines "fantasy sports contests" as skill-based games where outcomes depend on player knowledge (not chance), mandates background checks for applicants, and sets fees for licensing and criminal background investigations. The bill also creates tax rules based on "internet fantasy sports contest adjusted revenues" and requires companies to maintain records for audits. This bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.
