Rep. Steve Gist

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 421 increases the fire protection assessment rates collected by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). This bill directly affects owners of forest land located within a wildland fire protection district or under contract for fire protection services. It raises the maximum annual fee per landowner from $50 to $58.70 and increases the additional per-acre charge from 30 cents to 49 cents for land exceeding 20 acres. These new assessment rates are set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 70 requires the Environmental Quality Council to conduct a comprehensive study on state fire suppression issues, methods, and costs in Montana. This study will investigate firefighting operations by state and federal governments, resource efficiency, the impact of operations on private land, and how forest management policies may contribute to wildfires. The Council must complete the study and report its findings, including any legislative recommendations, to the 70th legislature by September 15, 2026. The bill appropriates $50,000 from the general fund to cover the study's expenses.

Maddy summaryHJ 47 is a joint resolution requesting an interim study on cooperation and consolidation among local government entities in Montana. The study will identify areas that could benefit from improved intergovernmental cooperation or consolidation, affecting various local governments such as counties, municipalities, and special districts like fire or water districts. It will review existing methods, analyze approaches used in other states, and assess the fiscal impacts of increased cooperation or consolidation. The Legislative Council is tasked with designating a committee or staff to conduct this study, engaging stakeholders and local officials. The final report, including findings and recommendations, is due to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 616 allows strip and underground mine operators to use data modeling when applying for the release of their reclamation performance bonds. This means that when an operator seeks to recover the financial guarantee for restoring mined land, they can now include predictive modeling to demonstrate compliance with approved reclamation plans. This modeling will be used in conjunction with traditional monitoring data submitted to the relevant state department. The bill provides an additional method for mine operators to prove they have met environmental restoration requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 244 revises hunting and fishing license provisions for Montana residents serving in the armed forces. It allows eligible members of the National Guard, federal reserve, or active duty who served at least two months outside the state in a contingency operation to receive a free resident conservation license and a fishing or combination sports license for five years, with the option to reset this period after subsequent deployments. The bill also guarantees that service members who forfeited a drawn license due to deployment can receive that same license upon their return without additional cost. The Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks will be reimbursed from the state's general fund for the cost of these free licenses.

Maddy summaryHB 68 authorizes Montana county commissioners to file court petitions (mandamus) to compel or stop actions by local government entities within their county, such as cities, towns, or school districts. The bill amends Montana law to explicitly grant commissioners this authority under Section 7-4-2110, including the power to hire lawyers and recover legal fees. It clarifies that "local government entity" excludes counties, consolidated cities, incorporated towns, and school districts themselves. This change provides county commissioners a direct legal tool to enforce compliance with duties by other local governments. The bill became law on April 7, 2025, after passing both chambers and the governor's signature.

Maddy summaryHB 75 revises Montana's public safety officer certification standards by requiring appointing authorities (like police departments) to ensure officers complete minimum training within one year of hire. It clarifies that officers must take discipline-specific basic courses if no equivalent course exists, and provides exceptions for military duty (pausing the deadline during service) or valid reasons like illness or course access issues. The bill allows up to 180 days for training extensions, considering factors such as family emergencies or staffing shortages. These changes apply broadly to all public safety officers, including those in specialized roles, and aim to standardize certification requirements across disciplines.