Technology

vetoed · Montana · Senate Jul 19, 2025

SB 410: Provide for Montana genomic security act

SB 410, the Montana Genomic Security Act, prohibits medical and research facilities in Montana from using genetic sequencers or sequencing software produced by companies based in nations designated as "foreign adversaries" under federal regulations (e.g., China, Russia). Facilities must replace such technology, store all genetic data within the U.S., and obtain written consent for remote data access outside Montana. The bill requires annual compliance certifications to the Attorney General and imposes $10,000 fines per violation for noncompliance with data storage or technology bans. It directly affects hospitals, research labs, and health facilities receiving state funding or conducting genetic research.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts foreign genomic tech use to protect genetic data privacy and cybersecurity, aligning with data protection indicators90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

died · Montana · House Jun 9, 2025

HB 722: Provide a retention period for electronic communications after a public employee's employment ends

HB 722 requires public agencies in Montana to retain all electronic communications (like emails) from work accounts for at least one year after a public employee leaves their position. This applies to state and local government employees, excluding communications from constitutional officers (e.g., governors, judges). The bill mandates that agencies cannot delete these records before the one-year period ends, and disposal requires approval from oversight committees. It also updates record-keeping rules to formalize this retention period for work-related electronic communications.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates retention of government electronic communications to prevent premature deletion, aligning with data privacy protections85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 540: Revise taxation of class 17 property

SB 540 revises Montana's property tax rules for "class 17 property," specifically targeting dedicated telecommunications infrastructure like fiber optic and coaxial cable. It provides a 5-year tax exemption for new fiber/coaxial cable installations placed in service after July 1, 2021, with the exemption phasing out over 10 years (20% annually). To maintain the exemption, owners must reinvest the tax savings into new Montana cable installations within 2 years without passing costs to consumers. Federal-funded projects (e.g., under the American Rescue Plan) are excluded from the exemption, and owners must keep records for state review. The bill directly affects telecom infrastructure owners and operators in Montana.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates property tax exemption for telecom infrastructure, reducing state tax revenue. Targets specific industry with tax break, weakening fiscal management of state revenue.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyTax exemption for fiber/coaxial infrastructure incentivizes broadband deployment, directly expanding internet access - a key support indicator for technology policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 118: Generally revise student data laws to enhance privacy

SB 118 gives Montana students and parents the right to request deletion of their education data from the statewide K-12 data system. It requires the state education office to delete data within 45 days of a verified request, unless retention is needed for federal/state funding, contracts, or legal orders. The bill mandates accessible request methods (online, mail, email) without requiring account creation and requires annual reporting on deletions. It also updates data system rules to align with privacy standards, including prohibiting social security numbers as student identifiers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnhances student data privacy rights in K-12 systems, protecting student information as part of educational data management.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologySB 118 explicitly enhances student data privacy by mandating deletion of education data upon request, aligning with data privacy protections in technology policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 364: Generally revise laws related to immunizations

HB 364 proposes to update laws concerning student immunizations and exemptions in K-12 schools. It would require school governing authorities to submit written reports on student immunization and exemption data to state and local health departments. These reports must only contain deidentified or aggregate information, ensuring student privacy. The Department of Public Health and Human Services would determine the specific form and schedule for these reports.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires school immunization data reporting for public health oversight, strengthening disease prevention efforts under healthcare policy.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires deidentified health data reporting to protect student privacy, aligning with tech policy data protection standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 662: Revise the Montana driver privacy protection act

HB 662 revises the Montana Driver Privacy Protection Act to strengthen privacy protections for individuals' motor vehicle records. The bill requires that "express consent" for disclosing personal information must be obtained on a specific form prescribed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. It also allows individuals to file individual or class action lawsuits against "requesters" who misuse this disclosed information. These lawsuits can seek punitive damages, costs, and reasonable attorney fees, and the department would be required to maintain a list of all requesters.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStrengthens data privacy for motor vehicle records via express consent requirements and enables lawsuits for misuse, directly protecting personal information under privacy-focused legislation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 408: Revise laws to protect children from obscene content through electronic devices

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.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates tech manufacturers to implement child safety filters and age verification, regulating devices for consumer protection under information technology subject.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 255: Revise online data privacy laws for K-12 pupil records

HB 255 revises Montana's data privacy rules for K-12 student records held by third-party educational technology providers (like apps or cloud services). It requires school districts to include specific privacy protections in contracts with these vendors, such as prohibiting the use of student data for targeted advertising, ensuring data security, and guaranteeing students or parents can access or correct their records. The bill also allows schools to adopt pre-approved model contracts from privacy-focused consortia to simplify compliance. These changes directly affect school districts, educational tech companies, and students whose data is stored or managed through digital platforms.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student data privacy in K-12 ed tech contracts by banning targeted ads, ensuring security, and enabling data access/correction, directly strengthening educational data safeguards.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires edtech vendors to prohibit student data use for ads, ensure security, and allow data access/correction - strengthening privacy protections for K-12 tech services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 925: Generally revise social media laws for minors

HB 925, the "Social Media Youth Protection Act," requires social media companies operating in Montana to implement systems that accurately identify minors (with 95% accuracy) and provide parental consent for data privacy settings. It mandates supervisory tools for minor account holders and restricts algorithmically curated services that use engagement-driven features like autoplay or endless scrolling. The bill directly affects social media companies and minors under 18, aiming to reduce excessive use linked to mental health risks by giving parents control over data and content exposure. Key provisions include age-assurance systems, parental consent for data privacy, and penalties for non-compliance, with definitions clarifying terms like "excessive use" and "algorithmically curated services."

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates parental consent for minors' data privacy, restricts engagement-driven algorithms, and requires supervisory tools to protect minors. This regulates tech companies for consumer protection and strengthens data privacy for minors.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 695: Establish pole attachment rules and enforcement

HB 695 establishes rules for competitive access to utility poles, primarily affecting pole owners like rural electric cooperatives and entities wishing to attach their equipment. The bill requires pole owners who have received broadband grant funding and offer broadband services to allow access to their poles according to federal regulations. It also mandates that grant agreements for broadband funding include compliance with these rules. If a pole owner does not comply, an aggrieved entity can take civil action in court for damages and other relief.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates broadband grant-funded pole owners to allow competitive pole access, enabling expanded internet infrastructure deployment and addressing broadband access barriers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track