SB 94 prohibits Montana public employers from using public funds or resources for labor organization activities, directly affecting public sector workers like teachers and school staff. It bans contributions of public money to unions or paid leave for union work, but allows unpaid time off for such activities and permits using accrued personal leave under specific conditions. The bill requires unions to cover costs for paid leave used in union activities through annual invoices to public employers and mandates reporting on time spent on union-related work. These changes aim to limit public funding for union operations while establishing clear administrative procedures.
SB 510 revises Montana's urban transportation district laws to require elected commissioners instead of appointed boards, prohibit local governments from forcing property owners to add land to a district as a condition for service, and mandate districts to publicly document all added areas. The bill allows property owners in districts that have not received direct transportation service for five years to petition for removal from the district without liability for the district’s existing debts. It also requires districts to maintain clear maps of their boundaries and sets specific procedures for adding or removing properties. These changes directly affect property owners within transportation districts and local governments managing such districts.
SB 240, the "Equality in Financial Services Act," prohibits large financial institutions (banks over $100B in assets or payment processors with $100B+ annual transactions) from denying or restricting services based on a person's protected activities, such as religious practice, political speech, business ties to fossil fuels/firearms, or refusal to conduct diversity audits. It requires institutions to provide written reasons for service denials within 30 days, detailing how protected activities influenced the decision. Violations could trigger $10,000 penalties per incident, plus triple damages for willful violations, and allow affected individuals to sue for damages or injunctions. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.
SB 176 would prohibit discrimination against individuals or businesses based on firearm ownership or activity in insurance and financial services. It requires businesses seeking state licenses for insurance or financial services to submit a "certificate of nondiscrimination" proving they won't deny coverage or services due to firearms. The bill makes these certificates public records and allows fines of up to $5,000 per violation for non-compliance. It explicitly excludes workplace policies and employment contracts from its requirements. The bill did not advance beyond committee in Montana's 2025 legislative session.
Montana's SB 396 requires public libraries to place all resources containing sexual or graphic sexual content exclusively in young adult or adult sections, regardless of the material's intended age group. Community members can object to a resource's placement, prompting the library to move it to the required section. Libraries must also restrict children's access to digital content with sexual or graphic material to parental discretion. The bill directly affects Montana public libraries, their governing boards, and community members, but died in committee in May 2025.
SB 68 would prevent certain study committees (those staffed by the Legislative Services Division) from meeting during active legislative sessions. It targets committees created to study policy issues and recommend changes, requiring them to conduct work only during legislative breaks. The bill exempts the Legislative Council, Legislative Finance Committee, Legislative Audit Committee, and committees established under legislative rules, allowing them to meet during sessions. This change aims to limit committee activity during the legislature's active period, focusing their work on interim periods when lawmakers are not in session.
SB 32 revises Montana's property tax structure by adjusting tax rates for multiple property classes. It lowers the tax rate for mining property (Class 2) from 3% to 1.65% of gross proceeds, sets agricultural land (Class 3) at 1.65% of productive value, and modifies residential/commercial rates (Class 4), including a reduced 1% rate for owner-occupied homes and a 1.4x multiplier for properties over $1.5 million. The bill also adds an inflation adjustment for local government tax levies and clarifies definitions for properties like nonproductive mining claims and owner-occupied residences. These changes directly affect property owners across Montana, particularly in agriculture, mining, and residential real estate.
SB 477 would revise Montana's land division rules to clarify exemptions for transfers to immediate family members. It allows landowners to divide property within approved subdivisions for gifts or sales to family without full subdivision review, provided parcels meet minimum size requirements (5 acres in zoning districts) and taxes are paid. The bill requires a public hearing, an affidavit confirming the transfer isn't evading regulations, and a 2-year ownership hold period for family recipients. These changes aim to streamline family land transfers while maintaining survey, zoning, and tax compliance.
SB 386, the Montana Local Meat Act, exempts small-scale ranchers, farms, and home-based processors from state food licensing, inspection, and labeling requirements when selling locally processed meat directly to consumers. It allows these processors to sell meat raised, slaughtered, and processed on their own premises only to "informed end consumers" who are told the meat hasn't been inspected or regulated. The law requires a clear warning label stating the meat is unregulated, prohibits resale or commercial redistribution, and restricts sales to Montana-only transactions. This directly affects local meat producers and consumers seeking direct access to unregulated, locally sourced meat products.
SB 381 would have allowed Montana to sell state-owned lands under 100 acres for homesteading, targeting parcels with legal access, no development barriers, and not designated as parks. Qualified homesteaders - Montana residents for 10+ years - could purchase up to 5 acres at full market value, but must build a primary residence within 5 years or forfeit the property. The bill required the Department of Natural Resources to identify suitable lands and set rules for sales, exempting homestead deeds from standard subdivision laws. This bill died in process on May 23, 2025, and did not become law.
SB 385 would create a new Montana Government Claims Court to handle specific legal challenges against state actions. The court would directly affect citizens, organizations, or local governments filing lawsuits claiming state laws, rules, permits, or ballot measures are unconstitutional or illegal (excluding local zoning disputes), as well as asbestos-related claims. Key provisions include establishing a 3-judge court appointed by the governor (with legal qualifications), setting its jurisdiction to cover these specific claims, and defining procedures for hearings and appeals. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and has not become law.
SB 129 would allow Montana voters to voluntarily indicate a political party preference (such as Democratic, Green, Libertarian, Republican, or "prefer not to answer") when registering to vote or updating their registration. The bill requires that this preference be included in official voter registration lists and precinct registers, using a standardized form with specific party options. If enacted, the changes would take effect on January 1, 2026, directly affecting voters who choose to select a party preference on their registration.
