Rep. Tom Millett

Maddy summaryHB 921 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow Montana to prohibit and punish the distribution or receipt of child pornography violating federal laws, while creating a private right for individuals to sue violators. It directly affects Montana state and local governments (who could enforce these prohibitions) and any person harmed by such violations (who could file lawsuits). Key provisions include overriding conflicting state laws to enable state enforcement of federal child pornography statutes and granting courts authority to award injunctive relief and attorney fees in successful lawsuits. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election and would not change existing federal laws, merely enabling Montana to align its enforcement with federal standards.

Maddy summaryHB 169 would have revised Montana's judicial conduct rules to permit judges and judicial candidates to engage in political activities previously restricted. It allowed them to attend partisan events, seek endorsements from political groups, campaign with party designations, make public endorsements for nonjudicial candidates, and solicit political contributions. The bill aimed to align judicial conduct standards with broader political participation norms. This legislation died in process in the Montana House on May 22, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 4 is a resolution from the Montana House of Representatives seeking to censure Bozeman Municipal Judges J. Colleen Herrington and Karolina Tierney and call for their immediate resignation. The resolution alleges the judges engaged in official misconduct and malfeasance in office. It details accusations that they unlawfully suspended the bonding privileges of a licensed bondsman, John Looney, ordered him to pay bond forfeitures he was not responsible for, and conditioned the restoration of his privileges on withdrawing complaints against them. This action is based on claims that the judges performed acts forbidden by law and exceeded their lawful authority.

Maddy summaryHJ 46 is a joint resolution requesting the Montana legislature to study the impacts of data centers on the state's electric grid, economy, and water resources. It directs an interim committee to examine how large data center energy demands (like 400 megawatts by 2030, enough for 320,000 homes) might strain grid reliability, increase utility rates for other customers, and affect job growth or tax revenue. The resolution also requires analysis of potential water usage and whether data centers should be classified as a separate customer type for regulatory purposes. This procedural resolution, which died in committee in May 2025, sought to inform future policy decisions but did not create new laws.

Maddy summaryHJ 24 was a joint resolution from the Montana Legislature expressing full support for the State of Utah in its legal dispute with the United States government. Utah is challenging the federal policy of perpetually retaining unappropriated public lands within its borders, arguing it is unconstitutional and limits state sovereignty. The resolution also highlights Montana's similar concerns regarding federal land ownership within its own state. It urged Utah to continue seeking a judgment against the federal government's land retention policies, despite the Supreme Court denying an initial motion. This resolution died in the legislative process.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution from the Montana Legislature requests the United States Congress to propose a constitutional amendment. The proposed amendment would repeal the 17th Amendment, which currently allows for the direct popular election of U.S. Senators. If adopted, Senators would instead be selected by their respective state legislatures. The proposal also outlines that Senators' primary duty would be to represent their state government, their salaries would be paid by their state, and they could be removed by a majority vote of their state legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 460 proposed a constitutional amendment in Montana to allow citizens in any county to call for a grand jury. Currently, grand juries are impaneled at the discretion of a district judge. The bill would have required a grand jury to be summoned if a petition signed by a specific percentage of registered electors in a county was submitted. It also mandated that county attorneys prosecute indictments from these citizen-initiated grand juries and allowed the grand jury to seek assistance from the Attorney General or hire a private prosecutor if necessary.

Maddy summaryHB 746 would authorize county governing bodies to create and enforce noise ordinances within their jurisdictions. These ordinances could regulate noise levels for residents and businesses, defining specific areas covered, setting time-based limits, and providing exceptions for approved activities. The noise ordinances would apply countywide or to specific portions, but not within incorporated cities or towns. Violations of these county noise ordinances could result in a fine not exceeding $200, but would not be punishable by imprisonment.

Maddy summaryThe provided bill text, identified as Senate Bill 382, focuses on revising laws related to immunization exemptions, which differs from the title "Establish the specie legal tender act" for HB 382. Based on the provided text, this bill mandates that various entities, including state agencies, schools, child care facilities, and licensed health care providers, must accept religious or informed consent exemptions for required immunizations, injections, or medications for employment or attendance. It establishes that denying such an exemption is an unlawful discriminatory practice. Non-compliant entities could face a loss of state funding, and individuals denied an exemption may file complaints and seek compensatory damages. The bill also clarifies and strengthens the existing provisions for religious, medical, and informed consent exemptions for school attendance.

Maddy summaryHB 242 revises the fines associated with illegally transporting aquatic invasive species in Montana. The bill increases the maximum fine for negligently violating related rules to $1,000 for a first offense and $1,500 for subsequent offenses. It also doubles the maximum fine for purposely or knowingly violating these rules to $1,950. These changes affect individuals who transport vessels or engage in activities regulated by aquatic invasive species management areas.