HJ 57 is a study resolution requesting an interim committee to examine Montana's statewide public safety communications system, which supports first responders during extreme weather and disasters. The study will assess the system's effectiveness, funding needs (including a projected 2027 shortfall), interoperability with local/tribal/federal systems, and future upgrades like FBI-required encryption. It will report findings to the 70th Legislature by September 2026, focusing on how the system serves over 12,000 users across 74 towers and 15 dispatch centers. The resolution does not change laws but aims to inform future policy decisions.
HB 836 proposed creating a property tax deferral loan program for eligible senior citizens and active-duty military personnel in Montana. This program would allow qualifying homeowners to defer paying the portion of their property taxes that exceeds their 2022 property tax amount. The state's Board of Housing would provide these loans, which would accrue simple interest and become a lien on the primary residence. The loan, including interest, would generally be repaid when the property is sold or transferred, or upon the death of the homeowner, though a surviving spouse might be able to assume the loan.
HJ 58 is a joint resolution requesting an interim study to examine how Montana can better utilize school counselors to improve student outcomes. It directs a legislative committee to investigate counselor shortages, current student-counselor ratios, best practices from other states, and input from Montana counselors and education agencies. The study, required to report findings to the 70th Legislature by September 2026, does not create new law but aims to inform future policy. The resolution died in the House process on May 22, 2025, without becoming law.
HB 30 (Montana) would have required Montana courts to apply a "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard when reviewing challenges to state laws claiming they violate the Montana Constitution. This change would have directly affected anyone challenging a law in court - such as advocacy groups, citizens, or businesses - by making it significantly harder to prove a law unconstitutional. The bill amended Montana law to state that courts must uphold legislative acts unless challengers prove unconstitutionality "beyond a reasonable doubt," raising the burden from the previous standard. The bill died in the House process on May 22, 2025, and never became law.
HB 662 revises the Montana Driver Privacy Protection Act to strengthen privacy protections for individuals' motor vehicle records. The bill requires that "express consent" for disclosing personal information must be obtained on a specific form prescribed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. It also allows individuals to file individual or class action lawsuits against "requesters" who misuse this disclosed information. These lawsuits can seek punitive damages, costs, and reasonable attorney fees, and the department would be required to maintain a list of all requesters.
HB 947 requires most individual health insurance policies in Montana to cover continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and their supplies for people diagnosed with type I or type II diabetes when medically necessary, as prescribed by a healthcare provider. The bill prohibits insurers from denying coverage based on diabetes severity or insulin dependence, and bans special deductibles or limits specifically for CGMs - though standard deductibles may still apply. This affects diabetes patients covered by individual disability, health, or membership insurance plans (excluding Medicare supplements, hospital indemnity, or long-term care policies). The law aims to ensure consistent access to these critical blood sugar monitoring tools without discriminatory coverage barriers.
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.
