SB 318 revises Montana's child custody laws to prioritize child safety in custody cases. It mandates that judges, standing masters, and guardians ad litem receive trauma-informed training on domestic violence, child abuse (including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse), and victim-perpetrator dynamics - requiring 20 hours of initial training and 15 hours every two years. The bill requires courts to consider domestic violence and child abuse allegations using valid evidence and strengthens protections for children by updating definitions and procedures in custody proceedings. These changes directly affect court personnel handling custody cases across Montana, aiming to improve how courts address abuse and ensure child safety. The bill also updates related statutes (e.g., Sections 3-1-1501, 40-4-205, MCA) to align with these new requirements.
SB 549 would have provided Montana taxpayers with a $1,250 annual income tax credit for eligible K-12 education expenses paid for children in public schools. It directly affected parents, guardians, and teachers of public school students by covering costs like tuition, textbooks, online learning programs, educational therapies, and school supplies. The credit would apply to expenses paid to public schools or specific accredited/non-accredited providers (with disclosure), but could not exceed a taxpayer’s total tax liability. The bill aimed to offset rising education costs for families in Montana’s public education system. (Note: This bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.)
SB 389 requires self-storage facility operators to make reasonable efforts to re-lease vacated spaces if renters leave early, aiming to minimize the financial loss the renter would otherwise owe. This duty applies when a renter terminates a lease before its end, obligating operators to actively seek new tenants rather than simply charging the full remaining rent. The bill directly affects self-storage businesses and their renters by changing how operators handle early lease terminations. It would have amended Montana law (Title 70, Chapter 6, Part 6) to include this mitigation requirement.
SB 336 clarifies that short-term rentals (like Airbnb stays under 30 days) are considered residential uses, not commercial, unless explicitly prohibited by local zoning. It requires municipalities to allow short-term rentals in any zone permitting residential use (e.g., single-family homes, condos) unless banned entirely across the entire area. The bill specifically protects property owners from restrictions that would prevent renting out their primary residence or adjacent properties (e.g., a guest house on the same lot or a neighboring home sharing a boundary). Existing short-term rentals meeting state licensing and tax rules when new restrictions take effect are treated as "legal nonconforming uses," allowing them to continue operating.
SB 556 creates a state Board of Passenger Ropeway Safety to oversee the safety of ski lifts and similar systems (called "passenger ropeways") in Montana. It requires all ski area operators to register their ropeways annually with the board, pay fees ($100-$300 per device), and undergo inspections to meet safety standards. The board, appointed by the governor and including ski industry representatives, will set safety rules, issue annual operating certificates, and collect fees to fund its operations. This directly affects ski resorts and operators by adding registration, inspection, and fee requirements for their ropeway systems. The bill does not change liability laws for ski-related injuries but focuses on mechanical safety oversight.
SB 354, the "Montana Healthy SNAP Act," would require Montana's Department of Public Health to request a federal waiver prohibiting the use of SNAP benefits (formerly food stamps) to buy soft drinks and candy. The bill directly affects SNAP recipients in Montana by restricting purchases of these items, which the legislature states are the most commonly bought non-nutritious items with SNAP funds. Key provisions include mandating a federal waiver request with a public health justification, an implementation plan for retailers, and annual reporting on spending patterns and health impacts. The bill defines "candy" as non-refrigerated sweet items and "soft drinks" as nonalcoholic sweetened beverages (excluding milk-based drinks or juices with >50% fruit/veg content).
SB 358 would have revised Montana's groundwater permitting rules, primarily by clarifying when permits are required for well use. It set specific limits for exempt uses: 20 gallons per minute or 2 acre-feet annually for non-permitted wells in the Rye Creek zone, and 35 gallons per minute or 10 acre-feet annually for most other parcels (with combined wells requiring permits). The bill also required well owners in chronically dewatered areas to install monitoring devices within two years and added reporting rules for groundwater use. However, the bill died in committee in May 2025 and never became law.
SB 378 establishes a Tribal Relations Management Team within Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), creating two specific roles: a Tribal Relations Manager and a Director of American Indian Health. The Tribal Relations Manager coordinates government-to-government consultations with tribal governments, facilitates policy development with tribes, and prepares annual reports to the governor. The Director of American Indian Health identifies health disparities between tribal and non-tribal populations and develops strategies to improve health equity. This bill directly affects DPHHS operations and tribal governments by mandating structured collaboration on health programs and reporting.
SB 434 provides a property tax rebate of up to $400 for Montana homeowners who lived in their principal residence for at least 7 months during tax year 2024. It directly affects individual homeowners (not businesses or multiple properties) who paid Montana property taxes on their primary residence, with the rebate amount capped at $400 or the actual taxes paid, whichever is lower. To claim the rebate, homeowners must submit an application electronically (August 15-October 1, 2025) or by mail (postmarked by October 1), including proof of residency and property ownership. The rebate is not subject to Montana income tax, and false claims may result in penalties of 300% of the rebate plus 12% annual interest.
SB 329 requires Montana employers with more than 50 employees to use the federal e-Verify system to confirm new hires' work authorization within three business days of hiring. It mandates employers to register for e-Verify, submit employee data for verification, and maintain records for three years or the duration of employment. Employers who fail to verify or employ unauthorized workers face fines up to $5,000 per violation, enforced by the Attorney General through investigations and potential license suspension. The bill exempts employers who hired staff before October 1, 2025, and those already complying with federal verification laws, while prohibiting local governments from blocking enforcement.
SB 324 revises vehicle registration fees for high-end vehicles, adding a 1% fee based on the vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the first year of registration after January 1, 2026, for cars over $150,000 and motorhomes over $300,000. It directly affects owners of these high-value vehicles, replacing a flat annual add-on fee with the percentage-based assessment. Revenue from these fees will fund two specific programs: grants for bridge projects through the Department of Transportation and services for crime victims via the Board of Crime Control. The bill also updates related sections of Montana law governing registration fees and special revenue accounts.
The bill titled "SB 346: Revise workers' compensation laws" appears to be mislabeled. The provided bill text actually describes **Senate Bill No. 364** (not 346), which establishes rules for "kill switches" in electronic devices. This bill requires a warrant for entities to remotely disable a *personally owned* electronic consumer product (including motor vehicles) unless specific exceptions apply (e.g., unpaid subscriptions, safety features like automatic braking during medical emergencies). It also allows individuals to sue for $10,000 per violation. The bill was withdrawn and died in process in 2025 and does not relate to workers' compensation.
*(Note: The query incorrectly references "SB 346" and a workers' compensation title, but the text provided matches SB 364, which addresses kill switches.)*
