HB 236 aimed to allow mental health evaluations for criminal defendants, used to determine their fitness to proceed in court, to be conducted within detention centers or state prisons. It directed the Department of Public Health and Human Services to create rules for these facilities, covering aspects like defendant care, security for evaluators, and the use of remote communication for examinations. The bill also outlined which entities, such as the courts or public defender's office, would be responsible for covering the costs of these evaluations and related expenses. This would have impacted criminal defendants undergoing such evaluations and the correctional facilities hosting them.
HJ 43 is a joint resolution requesting an interim study on coordinated homeless services in Montana. It directs a committee to examine wraparound services, housing access, and permanent supportive housing models - including their cost savings for healthcare and public safety - using statewide homelessness data and stakeholder input. The study, required to report to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026, would assess how coordinated services improve outcomes for Montanans experiencing homelessness, particularly those with disabilities. The resolution died in the House process on May 22, 2025, and does not create new law.
HB 155 revises property tax laws for Class Four residential and commercial properties. For residential properties, it introduces a graduated tax rate for single-family homes above $1.5 million in market value and sets specific rates for vacant residential lots under $50,000 and certain rental multifamily units over $2 million. For commercial and industrial properties, the bill exempts the first $200,000 of market value from taxation and establishes specific tax rates for the remaining value, with a different rate for golf courses. The bill would have taken effect immediately and applied retroactively to property tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.
This joint resolution (HJ 67) requests an interim study of how federal funding changes might affect Montana's Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE). The study, to be conducted by the Legislative Finance Committee, will analyze impacts on agency operations, budgets, personnel reductions, and program sustainability due to potential federal funding shifts. It requires findings to be reported to the 70th Legislature by September 2026. As a procedural study resolution, it does not enact policy but seeks to inform future legislative decisions.
HB 821 would change Montana's process for constitutional amendments proposed through citizen initiatives. It requires a two-thirds vote of all legislators (not a simple majority) to approve such amendments before they go to voters. This directly affects Montana citizens who submit initiative petitions and legislators who must vote on these proposals. The bill does not change the voter approval threshold (which remains a majority of votes cast), only the legislative step needed to advance the amendment to the ballot. The measure was introduced but ultimately failed to pass in the 2025 legislative session.
HB 765 reestablishes the Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardianship Stakeholders and a Public Guardianship Grant Program in Montana. The network, composed of nine members appointed by the Chief Justice, evaluates state laws, services, and practices related to adult guardianship and conservatorship, identifying system strengths and weaknesses and proposing training. The bill also creates a grant program within the judicial branch to fund organizations providing guardianship services to indigent individuals. These grants aim to offer training and guidance to family members, public defenders, judges, and volunteer guardians involved in guardianship cases. The overall goal is to enhance the quality of care and life for adults within the guardianship system.
House Resolution 7 (HR 7) requests that members of the Montana State Legislature, when introducing or amending bills to include new spending, also identify existing programs from which funds would be reallocated to cover those new appropriations. This means any bill proposing new expenditures would need to specify how those funds would be offset within the state budget.
HB 154 would have created a new tax credit for Montana renters and homeowners with household incomes under $150,000. The credit would equal 75% of either property taxes paid (for homeowners) or 15% of rent paid (for renters), minus an income-based percentage (ranging from 1% to 9.5%). To qualify, residents needed to have lived in Montana for at least 9 months and occupied a home or rental for 6 months during the tax year. The bill died in committee in May 2025 without becoming law.
HJ 60 is a joint resolution requesting an interim committee study on kratom's effects and potential regulation in Montana. It directs the committee to investigate kratom's health benefits and risks, distribution methods in Montana, federal and other states' policies, and current state agency powers related to kratom. The study, required to conclude by September 2026, will examine kratom's use, health impacts, and regulatory approaches before making recommendations. This resolution does not create new laws or regulations but seeks information to inform future decisions.
HJ 71 is a joint resolution requesting an interim study of how federal funding changes could impact Montana's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). It directs the Legislative Finance Committee to analyze effects on DEQ operations, programs (like water quality and waste management), and 376 positions funded partly or fully by federal dollars. The study would examine potential budget shortfalls, program reductions, and workforce impacts if federal funding decreases. The committee was required to report findings to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026. This is a procedural resolution, not a law, focused solely on gathering information about federal funding risks.
HB 581 revises Montana law to allow city police chiefs to appoint full-time, paid "special services officers" as court officers, rather than restricting appointments to part-time or volunteer roles. The bill updates definitions in Montana law to clarify that special services officers (who perform non-patrol duties requiring specialized skills) may now be appointed as court officers under supervision. This directly affects municipal courts and police departments, enabling them to use officers with specialized training for court duties like serving process or attending sessions. The change requires officers to be authorized to carry firearms and work under the police chief’s direction, as specified in amended sections 3-6-303 and 7-32-201 of Montana Code.
HB 274 sought to establish a medical respite care program in Montana for homeless individuals who are eligible for Medicaid. This program would have provided short-term housing in residential facilities with supportive medical services for those recovering from illness or injury but not requiring hospitalization. Services would have included treatment plan monitoring, medication management, immunizations, discharge planning, and transportation for medical appointments. The bill directed the Department of Public Health and Human Services to seek federal approval for the program and to report annually on its costs and the number of individuals served.
