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

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vetoed · Montana · House Jul 15, 2025

HB 861: Provide statewide access to a K-12 digital toolkit

HB 861 allocates $1.1 million annually to Montana's Office of Public Instruction and $750,000 to the Department of Labor and Industry for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The funds will provide statewide access to a K-12 digital toolkit containing state standards-aligned instructional materials across all subjects, including career and technical education resources aligned with Montana industry needs. This bill directly affects Montana public schools and students by expanding access to digital learning tools. It establishes a permanent funding base for these resources, effective July 1, 2025, though it was vetoed and not enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.85M annually for K-12 digital toolkit, directly funding public education services under state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $1.85M for statewide K-12 digital toolkit funding standards-aligned materials, expanding educational access and resources for Montana schools.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds K-12 digital toolkit with state-aligned instructional materials, directly advancing educational technology access and resources.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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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

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 488: Allowing a disabled voter to electronically return a ballot

HB 488 would allow Montana voters with disabilities to return their voted ballots electronically for federal elections using a secure, encrypted system approved by the Secretary of State. To use this option, voters must request an electronic ballot in writing, by email, or in person, and return the completed ballot with a signed affirmation by 8 p.m. on election day. The Secretary of State would establish security and encryption standards for the system, and the bill appropriates $10,000 to develop the technology. This change would apply only to federal primary and general elections beginning in 2026.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates secure encrypted system for electronic ballot returns, directly enhancing cybersecurity protections for voter data.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 697: Clarify government employee privacy rights

HB 697 clarifies that public employees in Montana do not have an expectation of privacy in electronic communications sent or received through systems provided and managed by their public agency. This means that any communications, including personal ones, made using public agency equipment are subject to public records laws and agency policies. As a result, public agencies would not be required to review these communications for privacy implications when responding to public information requests.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRemoves privacy expectations for government employee communications, weakening workplace privacy protections under labor & employment.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill removes privacy expectations for public employees' electronic communications on agency systems, weakening data privacy protections under public records laws.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Technology

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