SB 156 would change the required proof standards in Montana child abuse and neglect cases. It raises the evidence needed for temporary legal custody and long-term custody from "preponderance of the evidence" to "clear and convincing evidence," and increases the standard for terminating parental rights from "clear and convincing evidence" to "proof beyond a reasonable doubt." These changes directly affect child welfare cases involving custody decisions, the state (which files petitions), parents, and guardians. The bill amends Montana Code Annotated sections governing these proceedings to implement these revised standards.
SB 284 would have combined Montana's 10th and 14th judicial districts (covering counties like Fergus, Meagher, and Wheatland) and added a ninth judge to Yellowstone County's 13th Judicial District, which currently has a workload equivalent to 13.9 judges but only eight full-time judges. The bill amended laws defining judicial districts and judge assignments to address imbalances in court workloads. It included transition rules for filling vacancies and scheduled a new judge election for the 13th district in 2030. The bill died in process after being tabled in committee and missing a transmittal deadline in 2025.
SB 63 prohibits hunters from using electronic motion-tracking devices that track game animal movement and relay location information to the hunter during hunting activities or within the same calendar day. It also bans sharing such animal locations with others to aid hunting. The law specifically exempts radio-tracking collars on hunting dogs from this restriction. Violations could result in fines up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or loss of hunting privileges. The bill amends Montana's hunting code to clarify these restrictions, effective upon passage.
SB 427 establishes minimum distance requirements for trapping on Montana's public lands near developed areas. It requires trappers to set traps at least 50 feet from roads/trails, 1,000 feet from campgrounds/recreation sites (including boat ramps), and 300 feet from trailheads (with 1,000 feet for lethal traps). The bill directly affects trappers operating on public lands, particularly those near popular recreation areas, and gives the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission authority to adjust these distances in high-use zones. The provisions aim to reduce conflicts between trapping activities and public recreation by creating physical buffers around developed sites.
SB 382 requires schools, daycares, healthcare providers, and state agencies to accept religious or informed consent exemptions for immunizations without question. It prohibits these entities from denying enrollment or services based on such exemptions and mandates they accept them as valid documentation. Failure to comply risks loss of state funding, and individuals denied exemptions can file complaints or seek damages. The bill also prohibits discrimination based on vaccination status in most settings, except for schools and daycares covered under existing immunization laws. This bill died in process on May 23, 2025, and did not become law.
SB 397 would have revised Montana's process for valuing centrally assessed property (like commercial or industrial properties). It required the Department of Revenue and property owners to agree in writing on a specific independent appraiser and share costs before using one; if they couldn't agree, the Department would select and pay for the appraiser but must share the original appraisal with the owner if modifying results. The bill applied to property tax years starting after 2025. This procedural bill died in committee in May 2025 and never became law.
SB 351 limits Montana local governments' ability to save ("bank") property tax authority for certain state-mandated tax programs. It specifically amends property tax law to prevent local entities from carrying forward unused mill authority (tax rate allowances) for taxes imposed under statutes 20-9-331, 20-9-333, 20-9-360, and 20-25-439. This change directly affects counties, cities, and school districts that rely on these specific state tax programs, requiring them to use their full annual tax authority each year rather than saving it for future use. The bill’s key provision removes these programs from the existing rule that allows governments to carry forward unused tax authority to future years.
SB 159 would create an "Educational Opportunity Fund" within Montana's coal severance tax trust. It increases the annual cap on educational tax credits from $2 million to $5 million starting in 2024, with automatic annual increases of 20% plus 50% of fund earnings. This bill directly affects taxpayers who donate to school districts for innovative programs or to scholarship organizations, allowing them to claim larger tax credits. It also removes the previous sunset provision, making the credit program permanent. The bill amends existing tax code sections to implement these changes to educational funding.
SB 263 would revise Montana's rules about state ownership of water rights used on state trust lands. It directly affects water right owners and land lessees who divert water from private land to benefit state lands under a lease. Key provisions require the state department to seek board authorization before claiming ownership of such water rights, provide 180 days' notice to affected owners, and hold a public hearing where owners can present arguments against the claim. The bill also mandates the department report all water rights it has claimed since 1982 to the board. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.
SB 334 would have expanded Montana Medicaid eligibility to able-bodied adults under 65 with incomes at or below 100% of the federal poverty level, but only if they met community engagement requirements. Key provisions include mandating participation in workforce development programs (like job training in healthcare or cybersecurity) and requiring the state to seek federal waiver approval by December 2025. The bill also included measures like biannual eligibility reviews and lifetime benefit limits for this group. However, the bill died in process on May 23, 2025, after failing to advance beyond committee review.
SB 474 would have expanded school immunization exemptions in Montana to include religious exemptions and a new "personal medical informed consent" exemption requiring only a notarized statement. This new exemption would allow students to decline vaccines after consulting a healthcare provider (without needing a provider's signature), distinct from the existing medical exemption requiring a healthcare provider's written statement. The bill also amended school immunization laws (20-5-405 and 49-2-312) to prevent schools from being sued for injuries related to exempt students and to block overly burdensome exemption forms. The bill died in committee on May 23, 2025, and never became law.
SB 323 would reduce Montana's top individual income tax rate from 5.9% to 4.9% for most taxpayers, including married couples filing jointly, heads of household, and single filers. It also increases the state's Earned Income Tax Credit, providing greater tax relief for low-to-moderate income workers. The bill amends Montana's tax code (sections 15-30-2103 and 15-30-2318) to adjust tax brackets and credit amounts, with changes applying to income above specific thresholds ($41,000 for joint filers, $30,750 for heads of household, and $20,500 for others). The bill was tabled in committee and died in process without becoming law.
