SB 512 requires Montana's Department of Revenue to publicly post settlement agreements for property tax disputes involving industrial or centrally assessed properties on its website. This includes disclosing the valuation the department initially proposed before settlement and the final agreed-upon valuation. The bill directly affects property owners, corporations, and the public by increasing transparency around tax settlements. It amends existing law to mandate this disclosure as a standard requirement for such agreements. The bill does not change dispute resolution procedures but adds a transparency component to finalized settlements.
This bill (SJ 34) is a joint resolution requesting an interim study on Montana's child care system. It directs a committee to examine barriers affecting parents' access to affordable, quality child care and challenges faced by day-care providers, including licensing, regulations, and workforce issues. The study will analyze Montana's policies compared to neighboring states, review relevant data, and propose changes to improve child care availability and affordability. The committee must complete its work by September 15, 2026, and report findings to the 70th Legislature. This resolution does not enact new laws but seeks to inform future policy decisions.
Montana's SB 411 would allow audio, video, or audiovisual recordings to be legally treated as valid wills, directly affecting individuals creating wills and courts handling probate cases. The bill requires courts to verify, through clear and convincing evidence, that the decedent intentionally created the recording as their will, was of sound mind, made it voluntarily, and wasn't under undue influence. It also mandates courts to include a written transcript of the recording in their order and defines "audiovisual recording" as a dated, timestamped video showing the decedent's face. The bill amended Montana's will statutes (sections 72-2-522, 72-3-301, etc.) but died in committee in May 2025.
SB 349 would have transferred authority over air and water quality regulations for existing fossil fuel power plants in Montana from the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), making DEQ the sole permitting authority for these facilities. It claims federal EPA rules lack authority to restrict plant operations without requiring "significant economic investment" from plant owners and utilities. The bill includes a contingency that would void it if the EPA repeals two specific 2024 rules (89 Fed. Reg. 38508 and 39798). This bill died in committee in May 2025 and never became law.
SB 142 would have increased compensation for county election administrators in Montana. Specifically, it proposed adding up to $4,000 annually for clerks and recorders who also serve as election administrators, or up to $2,000 for separate election administrator positions. This extra pay would not count toward calculating salaries for other county employees like deputies. The bill directly affected county-level election administrators, who are typically elected or appointed county officials managing voter registration and election operations. The bill died in committee in 2025 and did not become law.
SB 454 proposes significant revisions to Montana's commercial tow truck regulations. It establishes new classification standards for tow trucks (Classes A-E) based on equipment capacity and chassis requirements, replacing previous ratings. The bill also mandates certification for operators (75% of employees for companies, or 1 year of experience for individuals), requires equipment to meet updated safety standards, and clarifies requirements for participating in the law enforcement rotation system. These changes directly affect tow truck operators, companies, and the Montana Highway Patrol, which oversees inspections and classification. The bill was introduced in 2025 but died in committee without becoming law.
Montana's SJ 43 is a joint resolution requesting an interim study on the state's criminal justice data warehouse, established by 2023 legislation (SB 11). It directs the Criminal Justice Oversight Council to examine the warehouse's implementation progress, funding use, stakeholder input, and future goals, including reviewing $1.5 million in allocated funds. The study requires gathering perspectives from courts, law enforcement, tribal governments, and correctional facilities, with final findings due to the 70th Legislature by September 2026. This procedural resolution does not change laws but aims to ensure state funding aligns with legislative intent and project outcomes.
SB 273 would have changed Montana's assault law by giving victims (with specific exceptions for developmentally, physically, or mentally disabled individuals) the sole authority to decide whether to file assault charges. The bill amended Montana Code Annotated § 45-5-201 to state that victims - not prosecutors - determine if charges proceed for most assault cases. This would have shifted the decision-making power from law enforcement to the victim in non-exempt cases. The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee, heard, tabled, and ultimately died in process on May 23, 2025, without becoming law.
SB 401 prohibits Montana state agencies from creating new definitions in administrative rules when existing statutory definitions already cover the same subject. It requires agencies to cite existing statutory definitions instead of adopting new ones, and mandates that agencies propose new definitions through legislative bills (to be submitted to interim committees) rather than via rulemaking. This directly affects state agencies that draft regulations, shifting authority over definitions from agencies to the legislature. The bill was introduced in 2025 but died in process on May 23, 2025, after being tabled in committee and missing deadlines. Its key provision would have required agencies to remove existing definitions from rules and reference statutes, with new definitions only allowed for clarification after legislative proposal.
SB 483 would revise Montana's health care laws by adding specific definitions to clarify insurance coverage processes, particularly around "step therapy" protocols. It directly affects health insurance issuers, providers, and patients by standardizing terms like "adverse determination" (denials of coverage), "clinical peer" reviews, and "step therapy" requirements. Key provisions define how insurers must review coverage requests, including requiring medical necessity justifications and establishing clearer pathways for appeals. The bill focuses on improving transparency in insurance decision-making without creating new benefits or funding. (Note: This bill died in process on May 23, 2025, and did not become law.)
SB 377 moves oversight of Montana's banking and financial institutions from a separate commissioner to the state auditor's office. It updates the title of the banking role to "Commissioner of Securities, Insurance, and Banking and Financial Institutions" and clarifies that the state auditor supervises this position. The bill changes how related agencies (like the Division of Banking) are monitored by legislative committees, including listing the new commissioner under the state auditor's oversight. These changes streamline regulatory structure and align agency titles with current responsibilities.
SB 383 amends Montana law to prevent victims of partner or family member assault from being charged with assault themselves. The bill specifically adds Section 1(9) to Section 45-5-206, MCA, stating: "A victim may not be charged with partner or family member assault." This directly affects domestic violence victims who may have been prosecuted for defending themselves against abusers. The key mechanism is a clear legal prohibition on charging victims, ensuring only the abuser can face criminal charges in such incidents. The bill does not change penalties for offenders or other provisions like mandatory counseling.
