Rep. Jedediah Hinkle

Maddy summaryHB 658 would have limited local health boards' authority to create sanitation rules stricter than state standards, affecting communities that previously could enforce tougher local requirements. It specifically protected existing subsurface wastewater systems (like septic systems) from being subject to new local rule changes. The bill amended Montana law (sections 50-2-116 and 50-2-130) to remove local boards' ability to adopt more stringent sanitation regulations and to ensure current systems remain exempt from future rule updates. This change would have shifted regulatory authority toward state standards for wastewater and sanitation compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 659 aimed to revise the election requirements for approving or prohibiting marijuana businesses in certain municipalities. The bill would have applied to "qualified municipalities" - cities or towns with their own police departments - located within counties that previously voted against Initiative Measure No. 190. A key provision was that a two-thirds majority vote would be required within such a qualified municipality to either approve or prohibit specific categories of marijuana businesses from operating there. This mechanism would have allowed these municipalities to make their own decisions regarding marijuana businesses, even if the surrounding county had a different outcome.

Maddy summaryHB 139 aimed to revise laws related to mule deer buck hunting in Montana, directly affecting hunters and the state's Fish, Wildlife & Parks commission. The bill would have restricted the commission's ability to close mule deer buck hunting during the general rifle season in November. Specifically, it would have prohibited closures in more than 20% of hunting districts per season, for more than two years within a six-year period in any district, or prior to November 6 in any district. These new restrictions would not have applied to any district closures already in place before December 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 298 revises local election laws concerning the approval or disapproval of marijuana businesses, primarily impacting municipalities and their residents. The bill proposes that a municipal election to allow or prohibit marijuana businesses may only be held in municipalities with a population greater than 5,000 people. This change would restrict smaller municipalities from holding their own elections on whether to permit various categories of marijuana businesses within their limits. It also clarifies how county-level elections on marijuana businesses interact with municipalities located within those counties.

Maddy summaryHB 889 aimed to revise laws governing local government land use regulations and county zoning. The bill proposed that certain requirements related to "sensitive lands" could not be included in growth policies for areas located outside of city limits. It also detailed the required contents for local growth policies, affecting how counties and cities plan for future development and manage resources. This legislation would have impacted local governments' authority over land use planning in unincorporated areas.

Maddy summaryHB 807 amends state law to prohibit individuals from being required to receive certain vaccines. Specifically, it mandates that vaccines whose use is allowed under an emergency use authorization (EUA) or those still undergoing safety trials cannot be a requirement. This applies to persons, governmental entities, employers, and public accommodations, preventing them from denying services, employment, or access based on non-receipt of such vaccines. The bill integrates this new prohibition into existing law concerning discrimination based on vaccination status.

Maddy summaryHB 888 revises the powers of local boards of health concerning isolation and quarantine orders. This bill prohibits local boards of health from requiring individuals to receive a vaccination or other medication as a condition for release from an isolation or quarantine order. It amends existing state law (Section 50-2-116, MCA) that outlines the duties of these boards. The legislation also includes an appropriation.

Maddy summaryHB 446 revises Montana's indecent exposure laws by creating a new offense. It makes it illegal for a person to knowingly expose their genitals or intimate parts in a public place to members of the opposite biological sex or opposite their assigned sex at birth. This applies to various public spaces, including restrooms, locker rooms, and schools, with exceptions for minors or individuals with developmental disabilities accompanied by guardians. The bill also adds this specific offense to the list of actions considered a "sexual offense," which may impact sexual offender registration requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 147 revises laws related to property covenants, directly affecting homeowners associations and parcel owners. It defines an "enforcement action" for a covenant as one that has been equally and consistently applied to all properties subject to the covenant for at least a two-year period. The bill allows a parcel owner to assert a covenant has been abandoned if no enforcement action has been undertaken for a prescribed period. Additionally, it prohibits associations that have not met for 15 years from enforcing covenants, with exceptions for essential matters like legal compliance or infrastructure maintenance.

Maddy summaryHB 416 requires homeowners' associations (HOAs) to obtain permission from property owners before an HOA agent may enter their private real property. When seeking permission, the HOA must propose a convenient date and time for the owner and specify which part of the property the agent needs to access. Property owners have the option to require their presence or their agent's presence during the HOA's entry. This bill clarifies rules for HOA access to private property, but it does not affect access to areas generally open to the public like sidewalks.