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.
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.
