Immigration

This bill requires Montana's Secretary of State to verify the U.S. citizenship status of all registered voters and remove those who are not citizens from the voter rolls. It mandates that new voter applicants provide documentary proof of citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, with limited exceptions for specific alternative IDs. The law also directs officials to notify voters whose citizenship status cannot be immediately confirmed and give them a chance to provide proof before their names are removed.

This bill revises Montana's workers' compensation laws by clarifying who qualifies for coverage and establishing new eligibility rules. It explicitly includes lawfully employed aliens while prohibiting unlawfully employed aliens from receiving workers' compensation benefits. The legislation also requires insurers to close claims for individuals who leave the United States or certain U.S. territories while a claim is active. Additionally, the bill updates definitions to cover various groups such as vocational trainees, community service workers, and inmates in prison industries programs, while maintaining exclusions for volunteers and foster parents. These changes aim to streamline how workers' compensation claims are handled and define the scope of covered workers more precisely.

This bill requires federal employees and agents to obtain written permission from the county sheriff before making arrests, searches, or seizures in Montana, unless specific exceptions apply. The key provisions mandate that permission requests include details about the subject, probable cause, and location, while allowing sheriffs to refuse permission for any reason they consider sufficient. Exceptions exist for federal enclaves, immediate crime witnessing, certain statutory situations, arrests involving local officials, and cases where notification could compromise the operation. The law also gives sheriffs the discretion to opt out of these requirements entirely or apply them selectively to specific federal agencies or individuals.

This bill prohibits non-citizens and foreign entities from owning real property in Montana, affecting anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or whose business is based outside the country. It requires violators to sell their property within six months, after which a county sheriff may auction it at public sale. The attorney general or local county attorney can enforce the law by filing a lawsuit, and the restrictions apply only to property purchased on or after January 1, 2026.

This bill amends Montana education law to allow school districts and athletic organizations to restrict home school students who are not U.S. citizens from participating in extracurricular activities. The legislation maintains existing protections for home school students who are U.S. citizens, ensuring they cannot be barred from participation solely based on their enrollment status or attendance hours. For all home school students, the bill requires written verification of academic eligibility from their home school educator, with principal verification that excludes student assessments. The changes take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

This bill creates a new criminal offense called human smuggling in Montana, targeting individuals who knowingly transport or harbor people who entered the United States illegally without federal inspection. Anyone convicted of this crime faces up to 20 years in state prison and fines of up to $400,000, while convicted organizations lose eligibility for certain tax exemptions. The law also allows authorities to seize and forfeit property used in human smuggling, including vehicles, money, and equipment, with proceeds from sales going to crime victims compensation funds. Additionally, the bill amends existing tax exemption laws to clarify how property is classified under current Montana statutes.

This bill directs Montana state funding to school districts to support programs for English language learners, addressing a current gap in the state's school funding formula. It provides matching state funds for districts that receive federal grants for English learner programs and establishes annual stipends for teachers with specialized certifications in English as a second language or culturally and linguistically diverse education. Teachers in high-poverty or impacted schools receive higher stipend amounts, with the state covering a significant portion of the payment while districts contribute a smaller share. The legislation appropriates $5 million for program funding and $25,000 for teacher stipends over two fiscal years, with provisions for supplemental funding if initial appropriations are insufficient.

This bill allows Montana state authorities to criminally prosecute individuals who are currently in federal immigration detention for crimes committed within the state. It enables the state to pursue legal action against these individuals regardless of their immigration status or pending federal proceedings. Additionally, the bill gives the state the option to either surrender a person to federal authorities if a state case is pending or continue the state trial until the person is convicted and sentenced. This change directly affects how Montana handles criminal cases involving people detained by federal immigration officials.

This bill establishes the Legal Employment and Government Accountability Law, requiring employers in Montana to verify the legal work authorization status of all employees before they begin work using either the federal E-Verify system or completed federal Form I-9 documentation. The Department of Labor and Industry is authorized to enforce these requirements by conducting investigations and audits, with the power to inspect employer records and issue subpoenas. Penalties for violations escalate with each offense, ranging from fines of up to $500 for a first violation to license suspension and fines up to $2,500 per individual for third or subsequent violations, with all collected penalties deposited into a state enforcement fund. The law explicitly states that employers must still comply with all federal immigration laws while implementing these verification procedures.

This bill prohibits employers in Montana from knowingly hiring, recruiting, referring, or employing individuals who are not lawfully authorized to work in the United States. It directly affects businesses and individuals who employ workers, as well as state licensing authorities that regulate professional and business licenses. The law imposes a fine of up to $300 for violations and mandates automatic suspension or revocation of professional licenses for first, second, and subsequent offenses, with suspension periods ranging from one year to 20 years. Additionally, the bill allows harmed individuals to sue for damages of $500 or $2,000 per day of unauthorized work depending on whether the violation was negligent or knowing, and it grants peace officers authority to investigate potential violations.