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

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

Track

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 453: Prohibit sale of electronic data to the federal government

SB 453, the "Electronic Data Ownership Act," would establish that electronic data created by Montana residents belongs to them personally, requiring entities holding such data to hold it in trust. It prohibits selling this data to the federal government without the resident’s explicit consent and restricts disclosure to federal authorities except under specific legal orders (like subpoenas), requiring notice to the individual unless court-ordered delays apply. The bill also mandates actual payment for data sales, bans unfair contract terms forcing data forfeiture, and prohibits inheriting data upon death without prior election. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits unauthorized sale of resident data to federal government, requiring explicit consent and strengthening privacy protections per bill's core provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 452: Require disclosures of AI use by online media manufacturers

SB 452 would require online media manufacturers (not government entities) to disclose when artificial intelligence curates or controls content users see and provide an opt-out option. It mandates visible markers on AI-generated content - like watermarks or labels - to alert users, even if original markers are removed. The bill defines "artificial intelligence" as systems that mimic human behavior to shape information flow and specifies "markers" as clear visual or audio disclosures. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and is not law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires AI content transparency and opt-outs for consumers, aligning with data privacy and consumer protection regulations in tech policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 207: Establish laws related to a digital public square

This bill would prevent social media platforms and other free online spaces (called "digital public squares") from removing users or censoring their content without legal justification. It bans actions like shadowbanning, algorithmic suppression, or restricting content visibility, while allowing platforms to show advertisements. Users could sue platforms for damages if they violate these rules. The law applies specifically to free digital platforms, not paid services, and defines key terms like "deplatforming" as removing users without their request.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyPrevents platform censorship of user content, protects digital rights, and enables user lawsuits for violations - directly aligns with regulating tech companies for consumer protection.95% 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 · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 494: Revise voting system auditing in election laws

SB 494 would require Montana election administrators to test new voting systems for functionality before use and after major changes like upgrades or hardware transfers. It mandates that administrators print, examine, and retain voting system audit logs and vote records for 22 months, with certain logs required to be kept permanently as public records. The bill also specifies that counties using vote-counting machines must retain these audit logs in perpetuity for public access. These changes aim to improve election transparency and verification by standardizing how voting system data is documented and preserved.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates voting system audits, log retention, and security testing to enhance election cybersecurity and data integrity, aligning with cybersecurity protection indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

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

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