HB 870 proposed to allocate surplus state revenues. It aimed to provide a one-time-only appropriation of $120,000 from the general fund to the Department of Justice. This funding was intended to address recruitment and retention challenges at the Montana State Crime Lab. The appropriation was designated for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026, with any unexpended funds reverting to the general fund.
HB 675 aimed to establish a private right of action against individuals who promote, conduct, or perform in drag king or drag queen shows. This would allow minors, their parents or legal guardians, and adults who attend such performances to sue performers or promoters. If successful, plaintiffs could be awarded actual damages, attorney fees, and $5,000 in statutory damages. The bill also introduced and amended state law definitions for "drag king," "drag queen," and "drag story hour," characterizing these performances with an emphasis on sexual energy, eroticism, and provocative content.
HB 670 proposes that public utilities transfer unused kilowatt-hour credits, generated by customers who produce their own electricity, to low-income energy assistance programs. Currently, any remaining unused credits accumulated by customer-generators over a 12-month period are granted back to the public utility without compensation. This bill amends existing law to specifically direct that these uncompensated credits must be credited to a fund established for universal low-income energy assistance, administered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. The public utility would receive credit for these kilowatt-hours that fund the assistance programs.
HB 139 aimed to revise laws related to mule deer buck hunting in Montana, directly affecting hunters and the state's Fish, Wildlife & Parks commission. The bill would have restricted the commission's ability to close mule deer buck hunting during the general rifle season in November. Specifically, it would have prohibited closures in more than 20% of hunting districts per season, for more than two years within a six-year period in any district, or prior to November 6 in any district. These new restrictions would not have applied to any district closures already in place before December 1, 2024.
HB 479 sought to require all candidates for public office in Montana to disclose their citizenship status. Under this bill, individuals filing a declaration for nomination or a declaration of intent as a write-in candidate would have been required to state if they hold citizenship in any country other than the United States or are a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe. If applicable, candidates would also need to list their other country or countries of citizenship. This citizenship information would then be made publicly available online by the Secretary of State.
House Bill 138 aimed to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Board of Public Education in Montana. The bill specified that the Superintendent is required to carry out directives issued by the Board of Public Education, particularly those related to the board's constitutional authority to supervise the public school system. It also reaffirmed a comprehensive list of other duties performed by the Superintendent, such as teacher certification, school budgeting oversight, and administering various educational programs. This bill sought to define the hierarchical relationship and operational duties between these two key state education offices.
HB 829 aimed to update laws concerning aquatic invasive species management. It would have required individuals to complete a state-provided online awareness training course and pass a test before obtaining an aquatic invasive species prevention pass. The bill clarified that all vessel operators, including non-resident non-motorized vessels, must possess this pass to launch on state waters. Additionally, it would have increased the maximum civil penalty for certain violations related to aquatic invasive species from $2,500 to $25,000.
House Bill 188 would revise the process for appointing members to legislative interim committees. It requires the Speaker of the House to appoint House interim committee members with advice from the Minority Leader. The bill mandates that the total number of members appointed from each chamber to these committees must reflect the partisan makeup of that chamber, and no interim committee may have a majority of its members from the minority party. Additionally, it revises the specific membership composition of the Environmental Quality Council to align with these new partisan appointment rules.
HB 878 proposes to increase the funding available for housing loans for low-income and moderate-income individuals in Montana. It authorizes the Board of Housing to administer an additional $50 million, raising its total from $65 million to $115 million, from the permanent coal tax trust fund. These funds are specifically designated for providing loans to develop and preserve homes and apartments for eligible persons. The bill also outlines project requirements, such as loans being for multifamily rental housing projects and adhering to specific interest rate guidelines.
HB 724 proposes to change the date of the primary election held in even-numbered years in Montana. Currently, these primary elections occur on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June. This bill would shift that date earlier, moving the primary election to the third Tuesday in May. This change directly affects all eligible voters and candidates participating in primary elections throughout the state. It also requires the secretary of state to notify federally recognized tribal governments about the change.
House Bill 371 aimed to prohibit the administration of gene-based vaccines, including those using messenger RNA (mRNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology, to humans within the state of Montana. The bill proposed that anyone providing or administering such a vaccine would be guilty of a misdemeanor, facing a $500 fine for each incident. It also required the relevant licensure board to review the license of any professional who violated this prohibition. This legislation would directly affect healthcare providers and individuals seeking these specific types of vaccines in Montana.
House Bill 879 proposes a legislative study in Montana to examine the economic impacts of federal government actions on the state's citizens, local and tribal governments, businesses, and institutions. The Legislative Finance Committee would conduct this study during the 2025-2026 legislative interim period. It would specifically investigate the effects of federal directives issued since January 20, 2025, including changes in federal funding, the impact of tariffs, and reductions in the federal workforce within Montana. The committee would be required to deliver preliminary findings by January 1, 2026, and a final report by September 1, 2026, to various state and tribal entities.
