Technology

died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 3365: Revise permitting laws regarding broadband infrastructure

This bill (LC 3365) aimed to revise local permitting processes for broadband infrastructure deployment. It would have affected local governments and broadband providers by changing how permits for broadband equipment are reviewed and approved. However, the bill never became law, as it was marked "Draft Died in Process" on May 27, 2025, after being assigned to a drafter in December 2024. No concrete policy changes were enacted.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill aimed to streamline broadband permitting, facilitating infrastructure deployment and expanding internet access - key support indicator for technology policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 3473: Establish right to repair laws

LC 3473, titled "Establish right to repair laws," was a proposed bill aiming to require manufacturers to provide consumers and independent repair shops with access to necessary tools, parts, and repair manuals for electronic devices and vehicles. It would have directly affected consumers, repair businesses, and manufacturers by mandating accessible repair resources. However, the bill died in the legislative process on May 27, 2025, without advancing to a vote or becoming law, so no policy changes were implemented. As a proposed measure, it did not result in any concrete legal requirements or changes to current repair practices.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates manufacturers provide repair tools/parts for electronic devices, promoting consumer digital rights and access to technology. Directly addresses Information Technology subject with clear intent to advance repair accessibility.95% confidence

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 3495: Allow autonomous trucks and automobiles to operate with restrictions in Montana

Bill LC 3495, titled "Allow autonomous trucks and automobiles to operate with restrictions in Montana," proposed to permit self-driving vehicles on Montana roads under specific safety conditions. It would have directly affected drivers, trucking companies, and state transportation regulators by establishing a legal framework for autonomous vehicle operation. However, the bill died in the legislative process in May 2025 after being assigned a drafter in December 2024, meaning it never became law. Montana's existing regulations on autonomous vehicles remained unchanged as a result.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly permits autonomous vehicle operation under safety conditions, directly enabling tech adoption in transportation and listed under Information Technology subjects.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill permits autonomous vehicles on Montana roads under safety conditions, enabling new transportation technology and enhancing safety standards within transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Autonomous Vehicles Driver Licensing Freight

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 3467: Develop a framework for an AI powered learning environment

This bill (LC 3467) proposed creating a framework to guide the development and use of AI-powered learning tools in educational settings, primarily affecting schools and educational technology providers. It aimed to establish guidelines for ethical AI use, student data privacy, and teacher training but did not specify concrete implementation steps. The bill was drafted in December 2024 but died in committee on May 27, 2025, meaning it never advanced to a vote or became law. As a procedural proposal, it remains inactive with no enacted policies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes ethical AI guidelines, data privacy, and teacher training for educational tools, directly enhancing tech integration in schools without restrictions.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly establishes guidelines for student data privacy and ethical AI use in education, directly aligning with data privacy protection (support indicator).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 3152: Provide online privacy protection act

This bill, LC 3152 ("Provide Online Privacy Protection Act"), was a proposed state law intended to establish baseline online privacy protections for residents. It would have required businesses to disclose data collection practices and give consumers control over their personal information. However, the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage, with its draft being placed on hold in January 2025 and ultimately dying in process by May 2025. As a result, no policy changes were enacted under this bill.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly requires businesses to disclose data collection and give consumers control over personal info, directly strengthening privacy protections under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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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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