SB 84 revises Montana's rules for presentence investigations, which are reports courts use to inform sentencing decisions. It requires courts to order these investigations after guilty pleas or convictions for most felonies (unless a recent report exists), sets a 30-day deadline for reports, and adds specific requirements: mental health evaluations for defendants claiming mental impairment at the time of offense, and psychosexual evaluations for certain sex offense convictions. The bill directly affects courts, probation officers, and defendants, particularly those with mental health considerations or sex offense convictions. It clarifies when investigations are mandatory, streamlines reporting timelines, and ensures key evaluations are included in sentencing considerations.
SB 290 requires Montana auto insurance policies to include both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, with drivers needing to explicitly reject it in writing. It defines "underinsured" as vehicles with coverage limits below injury damages and mandates that transportation network carriers (like Uber or Lyft) provide specific insurance levels for drivers: $50,000/$100,000 bodily injury coverage when logged on but not driving, and $1 million when transporting riders. The bill ensures carrier insurance covers claims directly without waiting for a driver’s personal policy to deny coverage. It affects all Montana drivers, insurers, and ride-share drivers/carriers by standardizing coverage requirements and clarifying liability responsibilities.
This bill would clarify Montana's separation of powers by explicitly defining the specific authorities of each government branch. It would state that legislators cannot exercise executive or judicial powers, the governor cannot make laws, and courts cannot alter enforcement of laws or change effective dates. The bill would codify existing constitutional limits into statute, affecting all state government operations by defining legislative, executive, and judicial boundaries. However, the bill failed its third reading in January 2025 and died in the legislative process before becoming law.
SB 541 creates a 14-member Pollinator Health Task Force in Montana, including representatives from agriculture, conservation, tribes, beekeeping, and state agencies. The task force must develop a state strategy focused on protecting pollinators through research, public education, habitat expansion, and recommendations for agencies and landowners. It requires a final report to the legislature by the 70th session, detailing specific actions like pest management, native plant promotion, and communication plans between beekeepers and pesticide users. The bill appropriates $50,000 from the general fund for task force costs during the 2025-2027 biennium and terminates December 31, 2026. This directly affects Montana's agricultural industries, beekeepers, landowners, and conservation efforts reliant on pollinators.
SB 452 would require online media manufacturers (not government entities) to disclose when artificial intelligence curates or controls content users see and provide an opt-out option. It mandates visible markers on AI-generated content - like watermarks or labels - to alert users, even if original markers are removed. The bill defines "artificial intelligence" as systems that mimic human behavior to shape information flow and specifies "markers" as clear visual or audio disclosures. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and is not law.
SB 478 would require Montana's public universities to cover medical costs for students who develop specific vaccine-related health conditions after receiving mandated COVID-19 vaccinations. Students would need to submit proof of vaccination (to comply with school attendance rules), a medical diagnosis of one of five listed conditions (like heart inflammation or blood clotting disorders), and cost records to their institution for reimbursement. The bill covers diagnosis, treatment, and lost wages related to those conditions, as defined by the Board of Regents. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.
SB 20 prohibits retired judges and justices from hearing or assisting in any court case where a party challenges the constitutionality of a Montana state statute. This bill amends two Montana Code sections (3-5-202 and 19-5-103) to explicitly ban retired judges from such cases, directly affecting retired judicial officers who might otherwise be called to assist courts. The key provision removes retired judges from participating in constitutional challenges while maintaining their ability to serve in other non-constitutional matters. The bill would have taken immediate effect upon enactment but died in committee in May 2025.
SB 384 allows Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services to temporarily remove a child from their home for up to 15 days due to temporary hardships like sudden illness, medical emergencies, or legal issues preventing safe care. The child must be returned home within 15 days unless parents cannot resume care, in which case the department may file for emergency protective services. "Temporary hardship" is defined as short-term physical, medical, or legal circumstances that temporarily prevent a parent or guardian from ensuring the child's safety. The bill amends Montana's child welfare laws to establish this specific 15-day temporary placement process with clear return requirements.
This bill (SJ 23) is a joint resolution requesting an interim study on how market-sensitive crops (like genetically modified crops) and agricultural technologies affect Montana's export markets. It directly affects Montana farmers and exporters who face financial losses when foreign markets reject shipments due to crop restrictions or chemical residues. The study will examine export markets, shipping processes, import restrictions, current regulations, and the costs/benefits of these crops and technologies for both conventional and organic producers. The findings must be reported to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026. (Note: The resolution died in process on May 23, 2025, and is not active.)
SB 160 requires owners of qualifying wind and solar energy facilities in Montana (solar: 2+ megawatts, wind: 25+ megawatts) to provide a decommissioning bond before construction begins. The bond amount, determined by the Department of Environmental Quality based on the owner's decommissioning plan, ensures funds are available to dismantle facilities and restore land within 24 months after a facility's end of life or abandonment. This applies to new projects and modifies existing requirements for facility owners to submit plans and bonds prior to commercial operation.
SB 451 would revise Montana's public library laws to define and limit the services libraries can offer. It requires all free public libraries to provide only services directly tied to core functions, such as access to books and digital resources, educational programs, technology access, literacy support, and community meeting spaces. The bill explicitly prohibits libraries from offering services unrelated to these core purposes, like commercial activities or political events. This law would apply to all Montana free public libraries, ensuring their services align strictly with traditional library roles.
SB 81 authorizes Montana's state board to lease public lands for underground storage of natural gas or liquefied gas (including carbon dioxide and methane), primarily affecting natural gas utilities operating in Montana. Key provisions include requiring lessees to pay for remaining natural gas deposits in the land, limiting bonds to $20,000 per lease, and mandating lease terms to prevent waste or damage to gas deposits. The bill also grants the state board rulemaking authority over these leases and forfeiture procedures for violations. This legislation failed to pass, dying in committee after its third reading failed in March 2025.
