HB 929 proposes to revise laws related to chiropractic practitioners in Montana. The bill would establish an optional license endorsement allowing chiropractors who meet specific requirements to prescribe a limited formulary of noncontrolled, nonscheduled drugs. These drugs include items like over-the-counter analgesics, prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and muscle relaxants, intended for musculoskeletal treatment and pain. The Board of Chiropractors would be responsible for establishing the educational qualifications, application procedures, and prescribing protocols for this endorsement, for which a fee may be assessed.
HB 302 would change Montana's punitive damages process by requiring courts to review evidence before allowing claims. It mandates that parties submit affidavits and documentation proving a "triable issue" on punitive damages, and allows for evidentiary hearings with live testimony if requested. The bill also specifies that punitive damages must be proven with "clear and convincing evidence," requires judges to consider 9 specific factors when setting amounts, and splits awards 50/50 between plaintiffs and the state (except for awards under $200,000). The bill died in committee on May 22, 2025, and did not become law.
House Resolution 4 is a resolution from the Montana House of Representatives seeking to censure Bozeman Municipal Judges J. Colleen Herrington and Karolina Tierney and call for their immediate resignation. The resolution alleges the judges engaged in official misconduct and malfeasance in office. It details accusations that they unlawfully suspended the bonding privileges of a licensed bondsman, John Looney, ordered him to pay bond forfeitures he was not responsible for, and conditioned the restoration of his privileges on withdrawing complaints against them. This action is based on claims that the judges performed acts forbidden by law and exceeded their lawful authority.
House Bill 361 sought to establish state funding for school districts serving English language learners and provide professional stipends for their teachers. It proposed state matching funds for public school districts that receive federal subgrants for programs supporting students with limited English proficiency. The bill also aimed to provide annual stipends of up to $500 for qualified teachers holding specific certifications in English as a Second Language or culturally and linguistically diverse education. Teachers meeting these qualifications and working in high-poverty or impacted schools could receive an enhanced stipend of up to $1,000, with both the state and school districts contributing to these payments.
House Bill 176 (HB 176) revises Montana's wolf hunting laws, primarily affecting the Fish and Wildlife Commission, wolf hunters, trappers, and landowners. The bill mandates an unlimited statewide gray wolf hunting quota when the state's wolf population reaches or exceeds 450 wolves. Under this quota, the Commission must authorize multiple hunting licenses per applicant, allow an individual to harvest an unlimited number of wolves, permit the use of bait for hunting or trapping, and allow night hunting on private lands with artificial light or night vision scopes. It also requires consistent data modeling for wolf population estimates.
HB 364 proposes to update laws concerning student immunizations and exemptions in K-12 schools. It would require school governing authorities to submit written reports on student immunization and exemption data to state and local health departments. These reports must only contain deidentified or aggregate information, ensuring student privacy. The Department of Public Health and Human Services would determine the specific form and schedule for these reports.
HB 557 would revise Montana education laws to limit how schools can use teacher professional development days. Specifically, it prohibits using "pupil-instruction-related days" (PIR days) for attending state teacher organization meetings, removes the requirement for school boards to close schools for these annual meetings, and changes attendance policies so teachers who skip these meetings may not be paid. The bill directly affects public school teachers, school districts, and the state's education funding structure by altering how professional development time is structured and compensated. These changes would have taken effect July 1, 2025, but the bill died in committee on May 22, 2025.
This resolution (HJ 69) requests a study of how potential federal funding changes could impact Montana's Department of Military Affairs. It directs the Legislative Finance Committee to examine effects on the department's operations, staffing (including 252+ positions funded by federal dollars), and programs like the National Guard and disaster services. The study must report findings to the 70th Legislature by September 2026. As a procedural resolution, it does not change laws or funding but prepares for potential future decisions.
This joint resolution (HJ 73) requests an interim study to examine the long-term funding, expansion, and stability of Montana’s Block Management Program, which provides public hunting access on enrolled private lands. The study will assess current funding sustainability, landowner compensation caps, and strategies to retain landowners and expand acreage, involving stakeholders like hunters, landowners, and the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. It does not change the program directly but will inform future legislative action. The resolution was passed by the House in 2025 but died in process before moving to the Senate.
HB 36 prohibits district court judges from serving as chair (presiding officer) of Montana's Judicial Standards Commission. The bill amends Section 3-1-1101, MCA, to explicitly state that a district court judge may not hold this leadership role on the commission. The commission, composed of two judges, one attorney, and two citizen members, is responsible for overseeing judicial conduct. This change directly affects judges who might otherwise serve as commission chair, ensuring the role is held by a non-judge member.
HB 851 proposes to create a new state agency called the Department of Health Services. This new department would take over specific human services functions currently managed by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. These transferred responsibilities include the administration of developmental disabilities services, mental health services (like the Montana State Hospital), chemical dependency services, and veterans' long-term care facilities. The bill also provides an appropriation for the new department, grants it rulemaking authority, and requires its contracts to include dispute resolution clauses.
HB 223 would require Montana motor vehicle insurance policies to cover costs for recovery and debris cleanup services provided by commercial tow truck operators at accident scenes. This change directly affects commercial tow truck operators by ensuring their service costs are included in standard auto insurance coverage, rather than being paid separately by accident victims or property owners. The bill amends Montana’s insurance law (Section 61-6-103) to explicitly include these costs under existing liability policy minimums, effective October 1, 2025. The policy change applies to all auto insurance policies issued or renewed on or after that date. (Note: The bill died in process on May 22, 2025, and did not become law.)
