SB 89 establishes a dedicated "Sexual and Violent Offender Presentence Investigation and Reporting Unit" within Montana's Department of Corrections to handle investigations for specific offenses. The unit, staffed by probation and parole officers, must complete presentence reports within 30 business days for defendants convicted of sexual offenses (as defined in §46-23-502) or violent offenses (as defined in §46-23-502). This ensures courts receive timely, thorough reports to consider during sentencing for these cases, replacing the previous system where general probation officers handled such investigations. The bill also updates existing law to mandate these investigations and includes related provisions for psychosexual evaluations, with costs typically paid by the defendant.
SB 374 proposed revisions to state laws governing contempt of court, which would have affected individuals and entities who fail to comply with court orders (e.g., ignoring subpoenas or court rulings). The bill aimed to modernize procedures for handling contempt cases but did not specify exact changes in the provided context. As noted in its status, the bill "died in process" on May 23, 2025, meaning it did not advance to become law. No further details about its specific provisions or intended impact were included in the available records.
SB 491 creates a new Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examination Fund to cover costs for sexual assault evidence collection. It shifts responsibility from local law enforcement agencies to this state fund, requiring the fund to provide free evidence kits to medical facilities, reimburse providers up to $800 per exam, and support a secure electronic system for claims. The fund will be primarily financed by redirecting $800,000 annually from the marijuana fund (starting July 2025) to cover these expenses. The bill also amends related laws to clarify payment responsibilities and establish the fund, though it died in committee on May 23, 2025, and is not currently law.
Montana's SJ 4 is a state legislative resolution applying to Congress for a "convention of the states" under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. It seeks to propose a constitutional amendment requiring the federal government to balance its budget annually (excluding emergencies), meaning total federal spending must not exceed estimated revenues each year. The resolution states Montana's application remains active until two-thirds of states support the same amendment. This is a procedural request - not a law - and the bill died in committee after missing deadlines in 2025, with no direct impact on current federal budgeting.
SB 370 increases daily compensation for Montana jurors: $25-$60 per day for attending jury duty and an additional $25-$60 per day if selected for a specific case. It directly affects individuals summoned for jury service in criminal cases, providing higher pay than current rates. The bill establishes a funding mechanism where counties submit invoices to the Office of Court Administrator for reimbursement of these costs. This replaces the existing fee structure under Section 3-15-201, MCA, specifically for criminal trials or settlements requiring jury service.
Senate Bill 387 aimed to revise state laws concerning electrically assisted bicycles. The bill proposed providing specific definitions for these types of bicycles and amending existing sections of state law, including 61-1-101 and 61-8-102, MCA. This legislation sought to clarify how electrically assisted bicycles are classified and regulated within the state.
SB 24 increases fines for railroad companies that obstruct highway crossings outside incorporated cities. It raises penalties from $25-$100 to $750-$1,500 for blocking crossings (e.g., stopping trains over 15 minutes or leaving objects on tracks) under existing Montana law. The bill directly affects rail operators and entities managing railroad infrastructure. It amends Section 69-14-626, MCA, with immediate effect, and was requested by the Public Service Commission. The change aims to strengthen enforcement of crossing safety rules without altering the core prohibition.
SB 388 modifies Montana's privacy law to allow individuals to record conversations with elected or appointed public officials or public employees while they are performing official duties. This exception applies without requiring consent from the official, as long as one party provides a warning before recording begins. The bill specifically amends Section 45-8-213 to clarify that such recordings are not considered illegal under the "violating privacy in communications" statute. It directly affects citizens seeking to document government interactions, while maintaining existing restrictions on hidden recordings in other contexts. The law does not change penalties for other privacy violations but explicitly permits this specific type of recording during official duties.
SB 408 requires Montana legislative bill drafting files to be treated as public records under existing state law, making them accessible to the public upon request. The bill defines these files to include draft versions of bills, research materials, legal analyses, and all communications between bill drafters, legislators, and third parties. It directly affects Montanans seeking transparency in lawmaking by providing access to the behind-the-scenes development of legislation. The key provision mandates that such files - previously not consistently public - must be disclosed in the same manner as other public records, with immediate effectiveness upon passage.
SB 307 redirects Montana's marijuana tax revenue to fund prevention programs, law enforcement, and local grants. It creates a new marijuana prevention account to support primary substance misuse prevention and youth suicide prevention programs through community-based services. The bill establishes a marijuana tax revenue accountability council to advise on fund allocation and requires annual impact reports on public health metrics like youth access and hospitalizations. These funds, previously distributed differently, will now specifically target prevention services and law enforcement operations under new reporting rules.
Montana's SB 120 establishes rules for selecting, overseeing, and recalling state delegates to a potential Article V constitutional convention. It requires commissioners to meet specific qualifications (e.g., 10 years U.S. citizenship, 5 years Montana residency, no recent federal roles) and prohibits them from supporting changes to the "one state, one vote" rule or amending key constitutional protections like the Bill of Rights. The bill mandates a legislative resolution defining commissioners' limited authority (based on Montana's application or prior state applications) and creates an advisory committee to manage vacancies and enforce boundaries. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.
SB 209 limits conservation easements to a maximum term of 40 years (previously allowing perpetual terms), amending Montana law to require renewal for additional periods. It directly affects landowners who use conservation easements, prohibiting restrictions on agricultural activities for lands used for farming within the past decade and banning land conversion to federal control under such easements. Key provisions include revising definitions of "conservation easement" and "open-space land," and ensuring property tax assessments reflect the land's restricted use without lowering valuation. The bill does not change existing permitted easement restrictions (like limiting construction or development) but adds specific protections for agricultural use and landowner control.
