Rep. Courtenay Sprunger

Maddy summaryHB 202 would amend Montana law to ban the possession of drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) during hunting and increase penalties for using aircraft to hunt wildlife. The bill prohibits using aircraft to locate game for hunting within 48 hours, drive wildlife, or relay locations to ground hunters, while adding a specific drone ban. Violations would result in higher fines (up to $20,000 for big game like deer or elk) and loss of hunting privileges for up to 36 months. Exceptions include emergency operations, search and rescue, and authorized predator control by the Department of Livestock.

Maddy summaryHB 289 aimed to revise Montana's crime laws by expanding the definition of the offense of endangering the welfare of children. The bill sought to include situations where a child is exposed to the production, manufacture, or direct presence of fentanyl, heroin, or cocaine. This would apply to individuals who knowingly engage in these activities in locations where children might reasonably be present. Violations under this specific provision would be classified as a felony, carrying potential penalties of imprisonment, fines, or both.

Maddy summaryHB 288 proposes to establish a father's financial obligation to support a child starting at conception, rather than at birth. This bill would allow mothers to seek financial support from the father during pregnancy to cover associated expenses. It also includes a provision permitting a mother to object to paternity genetic testing while pregnant. The bill aims to ensure both parents share financial responsibilities from the beginning of pregnancy.

Maddy summaryHB 641 repeals the Lewis and Clark bicentennial license plate program in Montana. This bill eliminates the legal authority for the special license plates and removes the associated Department of Commerce Lewis and Clark bicentennial account. It updates state law by removing references to the program's funding from the list of statutory appropriations. These changes, which primarily affect state agencies involved in managing these programs and funds, will take effect on December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 592 revises how state agencies create new rules under the Montana Administrative Procedure Act. It requires agencies to contact the primary sponsor of legislation when developing rules related to that legislation, seeking their input and explaining the bill's intent. The bill also mandates agencies to accept public comments electronically and to include a small business impact analysis in proposed rule notices. Furthermore, it requires departments to internally review rule proposals for compliance with existing laws and legislative intent.

Maddy summaryHB 483 aims to reduce property taxes by revising school funding laws, while preserving the existing 95 school equalization mills. The bill fixes state and county school equalization mills and vocational-technical education mills, and exempts school levies from general property tax increase limits. It also increases guaranteed tax base multipliers for fiscal year 2026 and raises state reimbursement rates for school transportation, which helps lower local property tax burdens. Additionally, the bill requires reports from the Office of Public Instruction and Department of Revenue on the impacts of property reappraisal on school funding and property taxes.

Maddy summaryHB 568, known as the "Montana Hunters First Act," requires the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to conduct a comprehensive study. This study will examine the impacts of nonresident hunters on deer and elk hunting across Montana and its administrative regions. The department must utilize various data, including hunter days, harvest reports, and population trends, to inform its findings. Upon completion by December 1, 2026, a public report will be published, assessing the data, detailing study methods, and identifying issues for consideration by the legislature and the Fish and Wildlife Commission.

Maddy summaryHB 806 generally revises the laws governing dietitians and nutritionists in Montana. The bill updates definitions related to the practice of nutrition and dietetics, and establishes new licensure requirements, including mandatory criminal background checks. It also outlines provisions for qualified supervisors, permits, and transitional licensure for these professionals. Additionally, the bill integrates licensed dietitians and nutritionists into the state's "quality educator" payment framework, affecting their recognition in public schools, special education cooperatives, and correctional facilities.

Maddy summaryHB 534 permits eligible county water and/or sewer districts to connect to existing water or wastewater systems, even if those systems are operating beyond their designed capacity. This allowance is contingent upon the connection being authorized by an approved development plan. The bill also grants rulemaking authority to implement these changes, impacting how these districts manage and expand their water and sewer services.

Maddy summaryHB 672 revises the process for relocating utility and nonutility facilities during highway construction projects in Montana, directly affecting the Department of Transportation (DOT) and facility owners. The bill grants the DOT new rulemaking authority to establish timelines and standards for these relocations. It allows the department to reduce its reimbursement for relocation costs if facilities are not moved promptly after notice, and permits the DOT to remove facilities that are not relocated in a reasonable time or not installed according to permit. The bill also provides limited liability protection for the department during these removals and adjusts reimbursement percentages for publicly owned water and sewer facilities.