Technology

died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 2818: Generally revise student data privacy laws

This bill (LC 2818) proposed revisions to existing student data privacy laws but never advanced beyond the drafting stage. Its title indicates it aimed to update regulations governing how student data is collected, stored, and shared by schools or educational technology providers. However, the bill was placed on hold in January 2025 and ultimately "died in process" by May 2025, meaning no specific provisions were ever enacted or debated. As a result, no concrete policy changes were implemented under this bill.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly aims to revise student data privacy laws, indicating intent to strengthen protections for student data, a core aspect of technology privacy regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 2891: Revise critical infrastructure protection laws

This bill (LC 2891) proposed revisions to critical infrastructure protection laws but died in the legislative process after being assigned to a drafter and placed on hold. The bill's specific provisions or mechanisms are not detailed in the provided actions, as it never advanced beyond the drafting stage. No concrete policy changes were enacted, as the bill did not progress to committee or floor consideration. It was formally terminated in the process on May 27, 2025.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill revises critical infrastructure protection laws (subject: Information Technology), aiming to enhance cybersecurity for IT systems, aligning with technology policy support indicators.80% confidence

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 514: Criminalize use of real and digitally fabricated sexually explicit images

HB 514 revises Montana's privacy in communications laws, specifically targeting the non-consensual use of sexually explicit images. The bill makes it an offense to publish, distribute, or disclose real or "digitally fabricated" sexually explicit images of an identifiable person without their consent, especially with intent to harm or extort. It also criminalizes possessing and threatening to disclose such images to obtain money or valuables. "Digitally fabricated" is defined as media created using technical means, like artificial intelligence, to falsely depict an individual engaging in sexual conduct. Penalties for these offenses range from a misdemeanor for a first conviction to a felony for subsequent convictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes non-consensual sharing of explicit images, expanding criminalization scope. Aligns with 'oppose' indicator of expanded criminalization.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCriminalizes non-consensual distribution of explicit images (including digitally fabricated), strengthening data privacy protections under Information Technology subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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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

Tags Elections

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signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 257: Generally revise critical infrastructure protection laws

HB 257 updates Montana's critical infrastructure protection laws by explicitly adding broadband and wireless communications infrastructure (including internet cables, cell towers, and related equipment) to the list of protected facilities. The bill expands definitions in Section 82-1-601 to include these networks under "critical infrastructure facility," while Section 82-1-602 clarifies criminal penalties for trespassing or damaging such facilities. Trespassing with intent to harm these newly protected facilities now carries felony charges (up to 18 months in prison or $4,500 fines), and damage exceeding $1,500 becomes a felony (up to 30 years in prison or $150,000 fines). This law directly affects anyone entering or damaging internet, phone, or cable infrastructure sites, with stricter penalties for intentional harm.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAdds broadband/wireless infrastructure to protected facilities, strengthening cybersecurity and internet access infrastructure protection.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

signed · Montana · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 111: Adopt Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act

HB 111 adopts the Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act to standardize how Montana's legal documents are published and accessed electronically. It requires official publishers (like the Code Commissioner and Legislative Services Division) to designate electronic records as official, authenticate them to prove they haven't been altered, and ensure they are preserved securely and accessible to the public. The bill sets standards for electronic preservation, security, and public access to Montana's Constitution, statutes, and code, while aligning with federal electronic signature laws. This directly affects state agencies managing legal records and ensures public access to accurate, unaltered digital versions of Montana's laws.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates authentication and secure preservation of electronic legal documents, enhancing cybersecurity standards for official records.92% confidence

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

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signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 392: Generally revise laws related to creation of profitable family video content featuring minor children

HB 392, known as the "Child Digital Protection Act," revises laws concerning profitable family video content featuring minor children. It requires content creators who meet specific profit and content thresholds to contribute a percentage of their gross earnings into a trust for the minor child, accessible once the child reaches 18 years of age. Additionally, the bill grants individuals who were featured as minors in such content the right to request the permanent deletion of those video segments from online platforms upon reaching the age of majority.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyGrants minors right to request deletion of personal content, enhancing data privacy protections for digital content featuring minors per bill's deletion provision.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Social Media

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 122: Revise right-of-way laws

HB 122 revises existing right-of-way laws for utility lines on public roads, streets, and highways. It specifically expands the authorized utilities to include broadband lines and natural gas pipelines. This allows corporations and public bodies operating these services to install necessary infrastructure, such as lines, pipelines, posts, and piers, along public thoroughfares. The bill maintains the requirement that these installations must not inconvenience or endanger the public.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands broadband infrastructure access by explicitly including it in utility right-of-way laws for public thoroughfares.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access