SB 481 prohibits motorboats and personal watercraft on designated Class II waters in Montana. It directly affects recreational users who operate motorized watercraft on these specific waterways, which are likely smaller or sensitive streams or rivers under state classification. The key provision amends Montana law to explicitly ban such motorized use on Class II waters, replacing previous language that only implied restrictions. The bill also requires the commission to adopt rules for managing recreational use on Class I and II waters, including procedures for limiting or restricting activities.
SB 406 would require Montana's investor-owned utilities to implement energy conservation programs achieving at least 1% of their average annual electricity sales in savings by 2026. Utilities must conduct biennial assessments to identify cost-effective conservation opportunities (like efficient appliances, lighting, and grid improvements) and submit plans for commission approval. The law mandates that programs be funded through customer rates, with utilities allowed to recover costs and share in rewards for successful conservation investments. It aims to reduce peak electricity demand, improve grid reliability, and defer costly infrastructure investments without specifying outcomes.
This bill revises the route of Montana's Lewis and Clark Highway specifically through Missoula, changing the path between South Higgins Avenue and Arthur Avenue north of 6th Street. It prohibits the highway from running through that residential area and requires the transportation department, with input from Missoula County and the city, to identify an alternate route that avoids residential neighborhoods. The rest of the highway route - connecting Idaho to Lolo, then to Missoula via U.S. Highway 93, and continuing east to North Dakota - remains unchanged. The bill directly affects Missoula residents in the affected neighborhoods and transportation planning officials.
SB 331 requires all state-owned or state-operated buildings in Montana to install automatic fire sprinkler systems or equivalent fire suppression systems. This bill amends the state building code to mandate this safety feature for government buildings, including offices, schools, and facilities managed by state agencies. The key provision adds a specific requirement to the building code rules, ensuring all state buildings meet this fire safety standard. It directly affects every Montana state building, enhancing fire protection without applying to private or non-state properties.
Senate Resolution 1 adopts the official rules governing the Montana Senate's internal operations. It establishes the structure and duties of key Senate leadership roles, including the President, President pro tempore, majority and minority leaders, and whips, as well as defining responsibilities for staff like the Secretary of the Senate and Sergeant-at-Arms. This procedural resolution directly affects how the Senate organizes its sessions, manages committee assignments, and maintains order during legislative proceedings.
This is a procedural resolution (not a law) requesting an interim study of how Montana's legislature handles procurement (buying goods/services) and how leadership funds for House/Senate leaders are allocated and spent. The study, due by September 2026, will examine procurement processes, training needs for leadership staff, public transparency, and potential changes to the Montana Procurement Act as it applies to the legislature. It does not change current laws or create new requirements. The resolution died in committee on May 23, 2025.
SB 432 revises Montana's utility relocation laws by clarifying definitions related to infrastructure moving costs and expanding the scope of covered services. It specifically defines "cost of relocation" to exclude engineering expenses and broadens "utility" to include water/sewer systems, cable providers, and broadband services. This bill directly affects utilities needing to relocate infrastructure (like pipes or poles) for highway projects, ensuring clearer cost calculations and broader service coverage under state law.
SB 356 would prohibit Montana insurance companies from forcing car owners (claimants) to use specific auto body repair shops or ignoring manufacturer repair instructions. It requires insurers to provide a neutral list of nearby, approved repair shops if requested, while allowing claimants to choose any shop they prefer. The bill also prevents insurers from charging more than market price for repairs and bans shops from overcharging claimants. It directly affects insurers, auto body repair businesses, and car owners filing insurance claims for vehicle damage. The law would have taken effect immediately upon passage but died in committee in May 2025.
SB 485 requires Montana's state and local correctional facilities to provide free hygiene and stationery items to people in custody. Specifically, facilities must supply soap, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, feminine hygiene products, letter envelopes, writing paper, and postage stamps at no cost upon admission and on request. The bill also mandates that facilities develop a distribution policy ensuring these items are accessible in medical areas and common housing, particularly for those unable to access them in general population. This bill amends existing laws to clarify these requirements and supersedes unfunded mandate laws.
SB 205 would have revised Montana's voter approval requirements for local property tax levies and bond elections. It would have increased the minimum voter turnout threshold for county bond elections from 30% to 40% (requiring 50%+ of votes cast to approve), and raised the threshold for city/town bond elections from 40% to 50% turnout (also requiring 50%+ of votes cast). These changes directly affected counties and municipalities seeking voter approval for bond measures or mill levies. The bill died in process in May 2025 and did not become law.
SB 403 would have granted Montana's Fish and Wildlife Commission the authority to set the specific dates and duration for the state's annual muzzleloader heritage hunting season, replacing a previously fixed schedule. This change would directly affect hunters using traditional muzzleloading rifles for deer and elk during this designated season. The bill would have allowed the Commission to adjust the season dates and length based on wildlife management needs, rather than requiring it to follow a fixed timeline (e.g., "second Saturday after regular season for 9 days"). The season itself would have permitted hunting deer or elk with muzzleloaders using specific ammunition and firearm types, as defined by existing regulations.
SB 42 would require partisan ballots for all judicial elections in Montana, replacing the current nonpartisan system for Supreme Court justices, district court judges, justices of the peace, and municipal court judges. The bill mandates that judicial candidates run under political party labels, allows political parties to endorse and contribute to judicial candidates, and creates a separate primary election for independent candidates. It also sets a minimum vote requirement (5% of the previous primary's lowest-winning vote total) for unopposed independent candidates to advance to the general election. The bill repeals existing nonpartisan election rules and amends multiple statutes to implement these changes.
