Technology

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 23, 2025

LC 3431: Clarify government employee privacy rights

This bill clarifies that public employees in Montana do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy for electronic communications sent or received through agency-provided systems like work email. It states that using government equipment for personal messages voluntarily waives any privacy rights, and these communications remain subject to public records laws and agency policies. Additionally, the bill requires that agency legal counsel does not need to review such communications when responding to public information requests for privacy concerns. The law applies to all Montana public agencies and their employees who use official electronic communication tools.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill eliminates privacy expectations for government employees using work systems, weakening digital privacy protections for public sector workers.85% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 3, 2024

LC 110: Adopt Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act

This bill establishes the Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act to create a standardized framework for publishing Montana's legal documents, including the state constitution, session laws, and the Montana Code Annotated, in electronic format. It requires official publishers to designate electronic records as official, authenticate them to ensure accuracy, preserve them securely with backup systems, and maintain permanent public access. The legislation also sets standards for implementation by considering practices from other jurisdictions and national guidelines, while clarifying that authenticated electronic records are presumed accurate unless proven otherwise.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill establishes framework for electronic legal documents, promoting digital access and standardizing electronic record-keeping in government.90% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 4, 2025

LC 324: Revise cryptocurrency laws to create Financial Freedom and Innovation Act

This bill, known as the Financial Freedom and Innovation Act, updates Montana's cryptocurrency laws to allow businesses and individuals to accept digital assets as payment and use self-hosted wallets without restriction. It prohibits government authorities from accepting central bank digital currency or participating in related testing, while permitting businesses to operate blockchain nodes, develop software, and engage in staking activities. The legislation requires network token issuers to provide detailed information to the state securities commissioner and limits annual sales of these tokens to $250 million, with provisions for foreign entities to register as Montana corporations to qualify for exemptions.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill modernizes cryptocurrency regulations to allow digital asset payments and blockchain operations, promoting innovation in technology sector.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Emerging Technology

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 8, 2025

LC 1649: Provide for digital advertising tax

This bill introduces a 10% tax on digital advertising services in Montana, targeting companies with at least $25 million in worldwide annual revenue from such services. The tax is calculated based on the portion of a company's digital advertising revenue generated within the state, using an apportionment formula that compares state revenue to total U.S. revenue. Affected businesses must file annual tax returns by April 15, pay estimated taxes quarterly if expected state revenue exceeds $1 million, and keep records for five years for potential audits. The bill also grants the state department authority to create administrative rules for implementation and includes provisions for penalties related to false reporting.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill introduces new digital advertising tax to increase state revenue for public services and fiscal management90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill imposes 10% tax on digital advertising services, increasing operational costs for tech companies and potentially limiting digital advertising innovation and consumer access.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 2559: Resolution supporting the exploration development, processing and refining of critical minerals

This bill is a non-binding resolution that expresses support for the exploration, development, processing, and recycling of critical minerals within Montana. It highlights the state's existing mineral deposits and aims to encourage local and federal agencies to advance projects that secure domestic supply chains for technology, energy, and defense needs. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal statement of intent to promote responsible mining activities aligned with environmental and safety standards. Copies of the resolution are sent to federal officials to signal Montana's commitment to strengthening national critical mineral security.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill promotes critical mineral exploration and processing to secure domestic supply chains for energy needs, indicating support for energy infrastructure development.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes domestic supply chains for technology needs through critical mineral development, indirectly supporting technology infrastructure.75% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 5, 2025

LC 3266: Resolution regarding energy

This Montana joint resolution urges the U.S. Congress and President to reform federal permitting and environmental review processes to accelerate domestic energy production and infrastructure development. The bill advocates for streamlining regulations that are perceived as barriers to building energy projects, citing national security concerns and the need to meet growing energy demands from technologies like artificial intelligence. It specifically calls for reducing delays caused by litigation and regulatory hurdles while maintaining environmental protections, and highlights Montana's readiness to contribute to national energy independence through its diverse energy resources.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly advocates for accelerating domestic energy production and infrastructure development by streamlining regulations, citing national security and AI energy demands.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill seeks to streamline environmental review and permitting processes, which would weaken environmental protections and reduce regulatory barriers to energy development.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly mentions meeting growing energy demands from technologies like artificial intelligence by accelerating energy production and infrastructure development.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Oil & Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Artificial Intelligence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 10, 2025

LC 372: Generally revise privacy laws

This bill revises Montana's privacy laws to strengthen protections for students and consumers by updating definitions and requirements for how personal information is collected and managed. It directly affects K-12 schools, educational software providers, and consumers by establishing clearer rules for what constitutes protected information, such as student records, biometric data, and sensitive personal details. Key provisions include requiring operators of K-12 online applications to notify consumers when certain information is collected and providing an opt-out option for consumers to control their data. The bill also mandates that the Attorney General post information about consumer rights and responsibilities online and specifies duties for data controllers and third-party service providers. Additionally, it amends several existing sections of the Montana Code Annotated to align with these updated privacy standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens privacy protections for students and educational data, enhancing security and trust in educational technology and student records management.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens privacy protections for students and consumers by updating data collection and management requirements, enhancing cybersecurity and digital rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 13, 2025

LC 3803: Generally revise medicaid services

This bill requires the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services to improve Medicaid customer service by accepting applications and renewals online and by phone, using text messaging and email for communications, and providing phone hotlines with wait time estimates and callback options. It mandates that all written forms be written in plain language and translated into the state's five most commonly spoken languages, while also requiring the department to reopen 10 local public assistance offices by June 30, 2026, based on call volume and geographic accessibility. The legislation also sets a target for 60% of renewals to be processed without member contact by June 2026, requires all new client-facing technology to be mobile-first, and establishes quarterly reporting requirements to the legislature on application volumes, processing times, and office performance metrics.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves Medicaid access through online/phone applications, plain language forms, and multilingual translations, strengthening healthcare services.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates online and phone application access, digital communications via text/email, and plain language forms, advancing technology adoption in healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Public Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Nov 19, 2024

LC 506: Revise law related to the use of motion-tracking devices while hunting

This bill prohibits hunters in Montana from using electronic motion-tracking devices that detect and relay the movement of game animals during the same day they hunt. The law specifically targets technology designed to track wildlife and transmit location data to hunters, while explicitly exempting radio-tracking collars attached to hunting dogs. Hunters are also barred from sharing the location of animals with others on the same day they use such tracking equipment. Violations can result in fines, jail time, and suspension of hunting licenses. The measure takes effect immediately upon passage.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts use of motion-tracking technology by hunters, limiting access to wildlife tracking devices and data sharing capabilities.85% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 1023: Establish the offense of trespass by unmanned aerial vehicle

This bill creates a new criminal offense for operating an unmanned aerial vehicle within 200 feet of another person's property or residence without their permission. The law imposes a $500 fine on individuals who knowingly fly drones in violation of this rule. Several exceptions are included for government agencies, law enforcement, utility workers, and broadband providers conducting authorized inspections or emergency responses. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offense for unauthorized drone use, strengthening law enforcement authority and property rights protection within criminal justice framework85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts drone usage by imposing criminal penalties and fines, limiting technological access and utility for authorized inspections and emergency responses.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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