SB 313, the proposed "Wage Opportunity and Transparency Act," would require Montana employers to list salary ranges in all job postings and prohibit wage discrimination based on sex (including gender identity). It bans employers from asking about applicants' prior salary history and prevents retaliation for discussing pay. The bill creates a process for employees to file complaints with the Commissioner and pursue civil lawsuits for unpaid wage differences, with remedies including back pay and liquidated damages. This bill died in the legislative process in May 2025 and never became law.
Montana's SJ 22 is a joint resolution urging Congress to propose a constitutional amendment repealing the 17th Amendment. The resolution would restore the original method of selecting U.S. Senators by state legislatures (instead of direct popular vote), requiring senators to be appointed by state legislatures, serve six-year terms, and prioritize representing their state government. If enacted, this would change how senators are chosen nationwide, shifting authority from voters to state legislatures. The resolution is procedural and non-binding; it does not become law, and its "Recent Actions" show it died in committee in 2025.
Montana's SB 114 would have required every public school building and classroom to display the Ten Commandments in a specific format: an 11x14 inch poster with the exact text provided, printed in a large, readable font. The bill amended existing law to explicitly allow this display, excluding it from prohibitions against distributing sectarian religious materials in schools. School districts could use their own funds or accept donations to cover the cost of the displays. The bill died in the legislative process in May 2025 and was never enacted.
SB 220 would have required Montana counties to establish permanent satellite election offices on federally recognized Indian reservations (or in tribal service areas if no reservation exists), open within 7 days of voter registration. It would have allowed voters to use "nontraditional addresses" (e.g., specific landmarks) for registration and voting, and recognized tribal photo IDs as valid voter ID without requiring an address or expiration date. The bill also mandated that polling place notices explicitly include reservation locations and updated election procedures for tribal communities. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and was never enacted.
SB 281 revises Montana's electioneering laws by prohibiting campaign activities within 100 feet of voters waiting in line outside polling locations, expanding existing rules that already banned such activities inside polling places or near entrances. It also reinforces bans on distributing free food, drinks, alcohol, or campaign materials (like buttons) near polls, and prevents soliciting voters about their intended choices before they cast ballots. The bill directly affects voters waiting to vote and campaign workers near polling sites. These changes aim to maintain a neutral environment at polling locations by limiting on-site campaign influence.
This bill (SJ 39) is a request for the Montana Legislature to study whether creating specialty courts for constitutional claims and cases involving state government would improve judicial efficiency. It directs a committee to examine current court caseloads, review models from other states, and analyze the feasibility, structure, and potential benefits of such courts. The study must be completed by September 2026 and reported to the next legislature, but it does not create any new courts or change existing law. The focus is on assessing how specialty courts might reduce burdens on district courts handling family law, youth care, and criminal cases.
SB 255 would have required adults 21+ in Montana to obtain a state-issued marijuana identification card to purchase recreational marijuana or products. The bill specified a $200 fee, mandated proof of Montana residency and a photo on the card, and required cardholders to carry the card and show it to law enforcement upon request. It also established rules for card expiration (1 year), renewal, and temporary 60-day cards. However, the bill was withdrawn by its sponsor in February 2025 and died in process, so it never became law.
SB 254 prohibits Montana local governments (including counties, cities, towns, and school districts) and judicial officers from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay organizations that hire lobbyists on their behalf. It allows public officials to use public funds for travel and expenses related to lobbying on behalf of their entity, following standard per diem rates. The bill also enables taxpayers or residents to sue to stop prohibited spending and recover attorney fees if they win such cases, ensuring government entities cannot use taxpayer money to influence legislation through lobbying.
SB 321 proposes three tax credits to support Montana families and child-care providers. It would provide a $1,200 annual credit per child under age 5 for eligible residents (with income limits of $40,000 single/$80,000 married filing jointly), a $1,000 credit for child-care workers employed at least 6 months (20+ hours weekly), and a $2,500 employer credit for businesses offering dependent care assistance. All credits adjust annually for inflation and require filing a Montana tax return. The bill directly affects low-to-moderate-income families, child-care workers, and employers who provide on-site or subsidized care. (Note: The bill died in committee on May 23, 2025, and did not become law.)
Montana's Senate Resolution 4 urges the U.S. Congress to propose a constitutional amendment that would allow states and the federal government to prohibit corporate campaign contributions and expenditures, while also enabling limits on overall political spending in elections. The resolution references Montana's historical campaign finance regulations - including a 1912 law and a 2012 voter-approved initiative - that were overturned by the 2010 *Citizens United* Supreme Court decision. It calls for Congress to send the proposed amendment to the states for ratification, emphasizing that campaign finance rules should prioritize democratic self-governance over corporate influence.
SB 118 gives Montana students and parents the right to request deletion of their education data from the statewide K-12 data system. It requires the state education office to delete data within 45 days of a verified request, unless retention is needed for federal/state funding, contracts, or legal orders. The bill mandates accessible request methods (online, mail, email) without requiring account creation and requires annual reporting on deletions. It also updates data system rules to align with privacy standards, including prohibiting social security numbers as student identifiers.
SB 100 establishes new rules for Medicaid payments in Montana's assisted living facilities. It requires the state agency to adjust room and board costs annually based on recipients' income (minus a $100 personal needs allowance) and directs the shift of Medicaid-covered assisted living services from the current "Big Sky Waiver" program to the federal "Community First Choice" program by 2026. The bill mandates quarterly reporting on service usage, waitlists, and costs for both programs. It affects Medicaid-eligible seniors receiving assisted living care, ensuring payments align with income and streamlining service delivery under federal Medicaid options.
