SB 475, introduced in Montana, proposes to ban vaccines containing aluminum as an ingredient for use or administration within the state. It requires vaccine manufacturers and distributors to submit implementation plans within one year, including timelines for removing aluminum-containing vaccines and distributing aluminum-free alternatives. The ban would take effect only after the health department certifies aluminum-free vaccines are available. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and was never enacted into law. It directly affects vaccine providers, manufacturers, and distributors operating in Montana.
SB 136 amends Montana's criminal code (Section 45-2-211, MCA) to state that a patient's consent to physician aid in dying is not a defense to a homicide charge against the physician. The bill defines "physician aid in dying" as a physician prescribing a lethal medication for the patient to self-administer, excluding standard comfort care or withholding life-sustaining treatment. This directly affects physicians who provide such aid, making their actions prosecutable as homicide if consent is claimed as a defense. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not impact existing practices of comfort care or end-of-life treatment under Montana law.
SB 450 would allow Montana's House Speaker and Senate President (defined as "officers of the legislature") to file "friend of the court" briefs in state or federal cases involving the interpretation of state laws or legislative intent. This would enable them to provide official input on how statutes should be understood without replacing the Attorney General's authority to represent the state. The bill specifies that such participation would not waive legislative immunity or privilege, and would require approved funding for legal costs. However, the bill died in committee in May 2025 and never became law.
SB 525 would allow Montana public school districts and public charter schools to hire paid or volunteer chaplains to provide student support services, such as counseling or religious programs. Schools adopting this program would need written parental consent for student participation, must disclose chaplains' religious affiliations online, and require background checks for chaplains (who must be 18+ and of good moral character). The bill permits schools to use chaplains instead of school counselors for required duties but does not mandate chaplains in any school. It applies specifically to Montana public schools and requires new policies to meet minimum standards before implementation.
SB 436 revises Montana water law definitions to clarify how groundwater rights are managed, primarily affecting well owners and agencies like the Department of Natural Resources. The bill defines "combined appropriation" as multiple groundwater developments from the same aquifer that could have been handled as a single right, clarifying that these don’t require physical connection or simultaneous development. It also updates definitions for "aquifer recharge" and "aquifer storage and recovery" to specify water management practices. These changes aim to streamline permitting and management for groundwater users without altering existing permit requirements. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.
SB 171 requires that 10% of excess state general fund revenue, after meeting budget stability and capital projects fund thresholds, be transferred to the Montana coal severance tax permanent fund (coal trust fund). This bill amends Montana's budget law to direct a portion of surplus funds - specifically, funds exceeding established reserve levels - to the coal trust fund instead of remaining in the general fund. The transfer applies when the budget stabilization reserve fund and capital projects fund exceed 16% and 12% of general revenue appropriations, respectively. The coal trust fund, which supports coal-related programs, would receive this additional funding without altering the state's primary budget processes.
SB 484 would limit additional fees charged by ticket sellers in Montana. It prohibits resellers from charging more than $3 or 10% of the base ticket price (whichever is greater) above the printed price, and bans selling tickets above the printed price without written venue authorization. The bill directly affects ticket sellers, including resellers and venues, by setting clear caps on service charges and resale prices. Violations would be punishable as misdemeanors with fines up to $1,000 per offense.
SB 480 would prohibit discharging firearms within 500 yards of any occupied home or outbuilding on Class II recreational waterways (like rivers and lakes used for activities such as fishing or boating). This rule would directly affect the public, including anglers, boaters, and others using these waterways, by restricting firearm use near residential areas. The bill amends Montana’s existing law to add this specific safety measure, building on current restrictions for public access to Class II waters. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.
SB 353 would have expanded Montana's "right to try" law to allow minors with terminal illnesses access to investigational drugs, biological products, or devices. Currently, the law excluded minors from this pathway; this bill would permit eligibility if a minor's treating health care provider attests that the minor has a terminal illness. The bill did not change other existing requirements, such as exhausting approved treatments or obtaining written consent. This change would directly affect minors diagnosed with terminal illnesses seeking experimental treatments not yet approved by the FDA. (Note: The bill died in committee in May 2025 and was never enacted.)
SB 459 requires Montana's state investment board to avoid investing in securities from jurisdictions where federal accounting inspections of firms cannot occur. It prohibits investments in such securities and mandates the board to sell them off without financial loss when possible. The bill also requires the board to consult with the Securities and Exchange Commission biennially to ensure compliance with state investment rules. This directly affects how Montana manages its public investment funds.
SB 340, introduced by Senator D. Zolnikov, would have revised Montana’s environmental law by adding a $240 fee for filing lawsuits challenging agency decisions under the Montana Environmental Protection Act (MEPA). It would have required plaintiffs to cover agency costs for preparing records, limited follow-up lawsuits to new issues only, and prohibited courts from awarding attorney fees or costs to winning plaintiffs. The bill directed the $240 fee to the state’s environmental rehabilitation account, which funds mine reclamation and hazardous waste cleanup. However, the bill died in committee in May 2025 and never became law.
SB 470 revises Montana's election judge selection and notification procedures. It requires election administrators to notify county central committees when judges are permanently removed for violations or disruption, establishes a complaint process for committees if notifications are missed, and mandates that election boards include representatives from all political parties that submitted lists, with no single party holding a simple majority. The bill also updates training requirements, including certificate rules and requiring non-affiliated candidates to state party preference during training. This bill, which died in process in May 2025, directly affects county election administrators, central committees, and election judges.
