SB 332 would change Montana's process for appointing the clerk of the supreme court, replacing the current election system with an appointment by a majority of the supreme court justices. It eliminates the clerk's ability to appoint a deputy clerk and amends multiple Montana Code sections to reflect this structural change. The bill requires the clerk to serve "at the pleasure of the court" and takes effect for vacancies after January 6, 2031. This is a procedural adjustment affecting the supreme court's administrative staffing, not a policy change impacting the public.
SB 266 requires Montana cities with populations over 5,000 to allow triplexes (three-unit homes) and fourplexes (four-unit homes) in areas where single-family homes are permitted, without imposing stricter rules than those for single-family properties. The bill mandates that zoning regulations for these multi-unit housing types cannot be more restrictive than those for single-family residences, including limits on parking (max one space per unit) and reduced requirements for lot sizes or building setbacks. It also encourages local governments to adopt additional housing strategies, such as eliminating or reducing off-street parking mandates and permitting accessory dwelling units. This bill directly affects cities meeting the population threshold, aiming to increase housing density options for residents.
SB 308 would remove Montana's current limit on workers' compensation benefits that capped payments at the state's average weekly wage. Instead, it would establish a fixed maximum benefit of $2,885 per week for all eligible injured workers. This change would directly affect higher-earning workers who previously received reduced benefits due to the wage-based cap. The bill amends specific sections of Montana's workers' compensation code to implement this fixed maximum payment structure.
SB 192 would have imposed a 10% tax on digital advertising revenue generated within Montana by companies with worldwide annual digital advertising revenue exceeding $25 million. It directly affects large digital advertisers (like major tech or social media platforms) operating in Montana, taxing only the portion of their revenue derived from ads served to Montana users. The tax would be calculated using an apportionment method based on Montana ad revenue relative to total U.S. ad revenue, with returns due annually by April 15. All collected revenue would have been deposited into Montana's general fund, as specified in the bill's provisions. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and was not enacted.
SB 128 prevents Montana county governing bodies from removing election administration duties from the county clerk and recorder during that official's current term in office. The bill amends state law to clarify that while counties can transfer these duties for future terms, they cannot do so while the clerk is currently serving. It also allows clerks to voluntarily give up election duties during their current term and specifies that the county clerk remains the primary election administrator responsible for voter records and federal election compliance. The law would have taken effect immediately upon passage.
SB 222 would have repealed Montana's 2-year ban on lobbying for public employees who leave government jobs. It specifically targeted Section 5-7-310 of the Montana Code Annotated, which prohibited former government workers from lobbying for two years after departing public service. The bill aimed to eliminate this waiting period, allowing public employees to immediately engage in lobbying activities upon leaving their positions. The repeal would have taken effect immediately upon the bill's passage. (Note: The bill died in the Senate on May 23, 2025, and did not become law.)
SB 140 would adopt Montana into the Social Work Licensure Compact, enabling social workers licensed in Montana (their "home state") to practice in other participating states without obtaining separate licenses. The bill creates a "multistate license" system, allowing licensed social workers to provide services across state lines while maintaining each state's authority to regulate practice and address disciplinary issues in the state where the client is located. This directly affects licensed social workers seeking to practice beyond Montana, particularly those serving military families or addressing workforce shortages in rural areas. The compact aims to reduce licensing barriers, improve access to social work services, and facilitate telehealth practice while preserving state-level regulatory oversight for public safety.
SB 562 would change Montana's primary election system for certain elected offices, specifically requiring that the two candidates receiving the most votes in a primary election advance to the general election, regardless of their political party. This applies to races for state legislative positions, as indicated by the bill's amendments to election codes governing legislative vacancies and candidate selection. The key mechanism eliminates separate party primaries for these offices, allowing all candidates to compete in a single primary where the top two vote-getters move forward. The bill aims to create a more inclusive primary process for voters in these specific races.
SB 155 would have created a three-member scientific panel within Montana's Department of Agriculture to evaluate food additives and colors. The panel, requiring expertise in toxicology and food science, would study cumulative dietary effects and recommend limiting harmful additives, which the Department would then enforce with FDA collaboration. The bill amended state law to formalize this process but died in committee in 2025 without becoming law, so it never affected any businesses or policies.
SB 363 revises Montana's definition of a "tourist home" to clarify that it refers to an entire private home or condominium rented out in full to guests (daily or weekly), with the owner or manager *not* occupying the property. This change corrects a wording error in the current law (which mistakenly said "not never occupied") and distinguishes tourist homes from other lodging types like bed-and-breakfasts or guest ranches. The bill directly affects property owners who rent out entire homes as short-term rentals (e.g., Airbnb-style stays), ensuring they are classified under this specific category for regulatory purposes. The definition change would determine which state regulations apply to these rentals, without altering other rules for lodging businesses.
This bill clarifies Montana's definition of "actual physical control" under DUI laws, specifically excluding certain non-driving scenarios from DUI charges. It states that a person is not in "actual physical control" if seated in a passenger seat with the engine running but not in gear, if the vehicle is disabled (not from a collision), or if manually pushing a disabled vehicle. This directly affects individuals stopped in vehicles under these specific conditions who might otherwise face DUI charges. The amendment does not change DUI penalties, alcohol limits, or other legal standards - it only refines the definition of when a DUI charge applies.
This bill, titled "Montana Family Legacy Home Act" (SB 500), clarifies administrative rules for selling Montana state-owned cabin and home site properties, directly affecting current lessees of these properties. It reduces the required deposit (bid bond) for prospective buyers from 20% to 5% of the sale price and allows current lessees to cancel a sale with 10 days' notice (unless another bid is placed), while requiring lessees to pay upfront for sale preparation costs (like appraisals or surveys). If the lessee doesn’t buy the property, they get their costs refunded; if someone else buys it, the new owner pays the actual costs at closing. The bill also exempts cabin/home site sales from standard environmental review requirements and makes the state cover survey costs upfront.
