HB 663 prohibits Montana public universities and eligible educational institutions from considering race, color, ethnicity, or national origin in admissions, hiring, scholarships, financial aid, or program participation. The bill bans using applicant or student demographic data for decisions and requires institutions to withhold such information from admissions officers until decisions are final. It creates a private right to sue for violations, including a fixed $4,000 statutory penalty per violation, plus compensatory or punitive damages, and waives state immunity for such cases. The bill, which stalled in committee in May 2025, would have taken effect October 1, 2026, if enacted.
HJ 59 is a joint resolution requesting an interim study on enhancing media literacy education in Montana schools. It directs the Legislative Council to form a committee to examine current media literacy practices, collaborate with educators and experts, and review successful approaches from other states. The study must conclude by September 15, 2026, with findings reported to the 70th Legislature. This resolution does not create new laws or directly affect individuals; it is solely a procedural request for research. The resolution died in process on May 22, 2025, meaning it did not advance further.
HB 698 clarifies local government authority over marijuana businesses in Montana counties where voters rejected recreational cannabis (Initiative Measure 190 in 2020). It requires counties/municipalities to hold elections for voters to approve specific business types (like dispensaries or cultivators) before operations can begin, unless the county previously approved them. Existing medical dispensaries can continue operating without new local approval until their license renewal after 2022. The bill also mandates specific ballot language for prohibition votes (e.g., "FOR banning recreational dispensaries") and ensures municipalities over 5,000 people can vote separately on business types. This bill revises existing law (Section 16-12-301, MCA) without creating new statewide restrictions.
HB 731 requires airports that receive public funding to provide specific services to light aircraft at no cost. These services include allowing light aircraft to land, taxi, and park with tie-downs for up to three days. Publicly funded airports must also provide access for passengers and aircrew through security fencing. The bill defines "light aircraft" as those weighing less than 9,000 pounds operating under a specific federal regulation.
HJ 46 is a joint resolution requesting the Montana legislature to study the impacts of data centers on the state's electric grid, economy, and water resources. It directs an interim committee to examine how large data center energy demands (like 400 megawatts by 2030, enough for 320,000 homes) might strain grid reliability, increase utility rates for other customers, and affect job growth or tax revenue. The resolution also requires analysis of potential water usage and whether data centers should be classified as a separate customer type for regulatory purposes. This procedural resolution, which died in committee in May 2025, sought to inform future policy decisions but did not create new laws.
HB 911 revises Montana's definition of "public utility" to exclude certain large commercial energy users. Specifically, it creates a new exemption for legally separate entities owned by utilities that supply electricity to customers with monthly average loads of 20+ megawatts, provided they operate separately from regulated utilities and don't impact regulated customer rates. The bill requires these entities to maintain separate financial accounts and prohibits using utility assets to guarantee their debt. It also appropriates $15,000 for energy demand analysis by the Department of Commerce, with a 2026 reporting deadline. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and was not enacted.
This bill would update Montana's hunting license regulations by adjusting application fees and modifying how nonresident hunters compete for big game licenses. It sets specific fees for drawing licenses for species like moose, mountain goat, and wild buffalo, and introduces a new preference point system where nonresidents can pay to increase their chances of getting elk or deer licenses. The bill also creates a special option for nonresident landowners who own at least 640 acres and participate in private land hunting access programs to buy an additional bonus point. These changes would take effect on March 1, 2026, and the bill currently has no further action as it died in committee.
Montana's HJ 66 is a joint resolution requesting a study on how federal funding changes could impact the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). It directs the Legislative Finance Committee to analyze effects on DPHHS programs (including Medicaid, child services, and public health), budgets, and over 2,000 staff positions funded partly or fully by federal dollars. The study must examine potential service disruptions, staffing reductions, and program sustainability due to federal funding shifts. The committee is required to report findings to the 70th Legislature by September 2026. This resolution does not change funding but prepares the state for possible federal policy impacts.
HJ 70 is a joint resolution requesting a study of how federal funding changes might affect Montana's Department of Transportation (MDT). It directs the Legislative Finance Committee to analyze potential impacts on MDT operations, staffing (including 2,041+ positions reliant on federal funds), and key programs like highways, infrastructure maintenance, and transit. The study would examine budget shifts, program sustainability, and workforce effects if federal funding decreases. This resolution does not change laws or funding but seeks to inform future legislative decisions. (Note: The resolution passed the House but died in the Senate process.)
HB 275 proposes creating a new "driving privilege card" for individuals who are ineligible for a standard driver's license under specific state provisions. To qualify, applicants must provide proof of identity and Montana residency, pass a driving examination, and not have their driving privileges suspended, revoked, or be otherwise disqualified due to safety concerns. This card permits the operation of a standard motor vehicle but not commercial vehicles, and it is valid for two years. The bill also specifies that the card can be revoked if the holder is in removal proceedings or has been ordered removed from the United States.
HB 408 requires all smartphones and tablets activated in Montana after January 1, 2026, to include automatic filters blocking obscene content for minors (under 18). Manufacturers face civil liability if filters fail to activate for minors, while parents/guardians can sue manufacturers for damages if filters are disabled by others (excluding parents). The bill mandates age verification during device setup, automatic filter activation for minors, and penalties up to $50,000 per violation for noncompliance. The bill died in the legislative process on May 22, 2025, and never became law.
HB 221 would require Montana municipalities to hold all elections for local officials in even-numbered years instead of odd years. It directly affects cities and towns currently scheduling local elections in odd years (like 2025 or 2027). The bill amends state election law to specify that municipal elections must occur during even-year general elections, with transition rules for current officeholders (e.g., one-year terms for those ending in 2026, special elections for terms ending in 2028/2030). This would eliminate odd-year local elections statewide and align them with state and federal election cycles.
