SB 126 would revise Montana's tenant moveout laws by clarifying what constitutes normal wear (like small nail holes or normal carpet wear), limiting landlords' cleaning charges to professional cleaner costs, and prohibiting deductions for carpeting or repainting after a 2-year tenancy. It requires landlords to provide tenants with a copy of a professional cleaner's bill if used and shortens the timeline for refunding security deposits from 30 to 21 days after move-out. The bill also mandates written notice before imposing cleaning charges and restricts deductions to actual damages beyond normal wear. This directly affects tenants (who pay security deposits) and landlords (who manage those deposits).
Montana's SJ 14 is a state legislative resolution requesting the federal government release over 660,000 acres of designated wilderness study areas from consideration for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. It specifically targets seven Montana wilderness study areas (including West Pioneer, Sapphire, and Big Snowies) and 37 Bureau of Land Management wilderness study areas that have remained in legal limbo since the 1977 Montana Wilderness Study Act. The resolution argues these lands are hindering multiple-use management (like timber harvesting and agriculture) and causing federal management uncertainty, and asks for their formal release to allow standard federal land management under the National Forest Management Act. The resolution was tabled in committee and died in process in 2025, so it has not become law.
SB 185 is a constitutional amendment bill that would require U.S. citizenship for voting in Montana. It proposes amending Article IV, Section 2 of the Montana Constitution to state that only U.S. citizens aged 18 or older who meet registration and residency requirements can be qualified voters, excluding those serving felony sentences or deemed mentally incompetent by a court. If passed by the legislature and approved by voters, this would change Montana's voting eligibility rules. The bill died in the Senate on May 23, 2025, and did not advance to a voter ballot.
SB 8 would allow Montana voters to register online through the Secretary of State’s website, eliminating the need for paper forms. Applicants must provide a Montana driver’s license number (or alternative ID like a passport), confirm their information is accurate, and consent to using their driver’s license signature. The system would verify details against DMV records; mismatches would trigger rejection with written notice. Online registration would pause 30 days before elections and resume the day after. The bill was introduced but died in committee in 2025 (no effective date achieved).
SB 312 removes time limits for victims to file lawsuits related to childhood sexual abuse in Montana. It allows victims to sue until age 27 or within 3 years of discovering the abuse, whichever comes later. The bill also creates new pathways to revive expired claims if the abuser admitted guilt (in writing, court, or plea) or if an organization knew about past abuse by its staff but failed to act. This directly affects survivors of childhood sexual abuse and entities like schools or religious groups that may have neglected to prevent abuse.
SB 169 would revise Montana's property tax law by removing the tax exemption for certain intangible personal property, such as stocks, bonds, patents, software, and licenses, unless they are directly used in business operations. This change would affect businesses and property owners holding these assets, requiring them to pay property taxes on previously exempt items. The bill clarifies that intangible property lacking physical existence (like goodwill) or representing value (like financial instruments) is no longer exempt, while property integral to business operations remains exempt. The law would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, with implementation starting January 1, 2026.
SB 287 creates the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust to manage volatile state revenues, including transferring funds to new specialized accounts like Montana Water Development, Better Local Bridges, and Early Childhood. It modifies property tax assistance by requiring homeowners to certify primary residences (with penalties for false claims) and directing county credits to eligible homeowners. The bill establishes rules for distributing trust interest income to state accounts, limits volatile revenue transfers during budget deficits, and revises pension fund transfers. These changes directly affect state finance agencies, local governments, and homeowners applying for property tax credits. The bill also creates a Montana Housing Trust and updates reporting requirements for state funds.
SB 502 would have prohibited investment firms (defined as corporations or trusts investing pooled capital) from entering contracts to purchase single-family homes listed for sale within the first 45 days of listing. Sellers could void such contracts at any time before full execution. The bill directly affected investment firms seeking to buy homes and homeowners listing properties. However, the bill died in committee in May 2025 and never became law.
SB 50 requires a court warrant for removing a child from their home due to suspected abuse or neglect, except in immediate danger situations. It mandates that an abuse/neglect petition be filed within 72 hours of an emergency removal. The bill amends Montana law to clarify that warrantless removals are only permitted when a child faces imminent, apparent danger of sexual or physical abuse. These changes apply to child protection specialists, law enforcement, and courts handling child welfare cases. The bill aims to strengthen court oversight while balancing child safety with procedural safeguards.
SB 122 sets minimum annual contribution rates for Montana's Highway Patrol Officers', Sheriffs', and Game Wardens/Peace Officers' retirement systems. It requires state and county employers to pay at least 38.33% (Highway Patrol) or 13.115% (Sheriffs') of employee compensation annually, with rates adjustable by no more than ±0.5% yearly. The bill mandates that contributions cover three components: paying down past obligations (legacy liability), covering current unfunded costs (contemporary liability), and funding future benefits (normal cost). These changes apply directly to state and county employers participating in these specific retirement systems.
SB 543 would allow candidates for Montana's Supreme Court Chief Justice and Justice positions to list their political party affiliation on nomination forms and ballots, changing these races from nonpartisan to include party designation. The bill amends election laws to require that candidates indicating party affiliation have it appear "in no more than three words" below their name on ballots, while those not indicating a party would be labeled "Nonpartisan." It also increases the filing fee for these judicial races to $1,750 and updates ballot preparation rules to accommodate party designations. This bill directly affects candidates and voters in Montana Supreme Court elections, altering how judicial candidates are presented on ballots. The bill was introduced in 2025 but died in committee on May 23, 2025.
SB 416 would require milk processors to label pasteurized milk containers with a mandatory "sell by" date (17 days after pasteurization) and a "best by" date indicating freshness. It prohibits selling milk past its "sell by" date and allows processors to apply for extended dates with scientific testing proving safety. The bill specifies label size, placement, and color requirements, while exempting processors not selling to the public or selling out-of-state. It repeals outdated milk labeling rules and directs the Department of Livestock to update related regulations. The bill died in committee in May 2025 after being tabled in March 2025.
