Rep. Bob Carter

Maddy summaryHB 662 revises the Montana Driver Privacy Protection Act to strengthen privacy protections for individuals' motor vehicle records. The bill requires that "express consent" for disclosing personal information must be obtained on a specific form prescribed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. It also allows individuals to file individual or class action lawsuits against "requesters" who misuse this disclosed information. These lawsuits can seek punitive damages, costs, and reasonable attorney fees, and the department would be required to maintain a list of all requesters.

Maddy summaryHB 255 revises Montana's data privacy rules for K-12 student records held by third-party educational technology providers (like apps or cloud services). It requires school districts to include specific privacy protections in contracts with these vendors, such as prohibiting the use of student data for targeted advertising, ensuring data security, and guaranteeing students or parents can access or correct their records. The bill also allows schools to adopt pre-approved model contracts from privacy-focused consortia to simplify compliance. These changes directly affect school districts, educational tech companies, and students whose data is stored or managed through digital platforms.

Maddy summaryHJ 72 is a joint resolution requesting an interim study on how Montana's Department of Transportation (DOT) shares personal information from driver records. It directs a committee to examine why and how driver data is shared with government agencies or businesses, what specific information is disclosed, who receives it, and how this impacts Montanans' privacy. The study must also assess if data sharing generates revenue for the DOT and how the department tracks these disclosures. The resolution requires the study's findings to be reported to the 70th Legislature by September 2026. As a procedural request for analysis, it does not change current law or directly affect residents.

Maddy summaryHJ 18 is a joint resolution from the State of Montana that proclaims support for admitting Washington, D.C., into the Union as a state. The resolution states Montana's opposition to federal efforts that interfere with D.C.'s local self-government and home rule. It calls on Congress and the President to enact federal legislation granting statehood to the people of Washington, D.C.

Maddy summaryHB 773, known as "Noah's Act," aimed to streamline transportation planning by reducing redundant reviews for certain projects. It would have eliminated the need for the Transportation Commission to re-review long-range transportation plans and associated projects that were already adopted by Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and approved by the Department of Transportation. Instead, these projects, including urban street and nonoperational safety improvements, would be approved by a department district administrator. For communities without MPOs, department district administrators would also gain authority to approve smaller projects without Commission approval, intending to enhance local transportation efficiency.

Maddy summaryHB 187 aimed to revise Montana's election laws regarding how ballots are counted. It removed the prior requirement for continuous tabulation in certain situations. The bill would have allowed counties performing pre-election day ballot counting to stop by 5 p.m., even if all available ballots were not yet processed. On election day, it would have permitted counting to continue without adjournment, but with specific exceptions for ballots like provisional or military ballots that require further review. This aimed to provide more flexibility for election administrators in managing the ballot counting process.

Maddy summaryHB 436 would have required trappers to post notice signs when setting traps or snares near public trails and trailheads on public lands administered by the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Trappers would need to place signs within 1,000 feet of a trailhead or 100 feet of a public trail if traps are present. The bill specified requirements for sign size, durability, and content, including a warning message and contact information for the department. Trappers would also be responsible for replacing missing or illegible signs within 24 hours and removing them once traps are no longer in place.

Maddy summaryHB 712 requires individuals convicted of vehicular homicide while under the influence to pay restitution for the support of minor children whose parent or guardian was the victim of the offense. These monthly payments continue until the child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever comes later, but not past age 19. Courts determine the restitution amount by considering various factors, including the financial needs of the child and surviving guardians, and the defendant's resources. The bill also outlines provisions for when payments begin if the defendant is incarcerated and how restitution orders interact with civil judgments.

Maddy summaryHJ 74 is a joint resolution requesting an interim study on water reuse in Montana. This study will examine existing state laws, administrative rules, and infrastructure related to purifying wastewater for designated beneficial purposes. An assigned legislative committee will analyze legal, economic, and social barriers to implementing water reuse programs, and explore how other states utilize this practice. The study aims to identify industries and geographic areas in Montana that could benefit from water reuse, and may propose legislation to incentivize and facilitate such programs. The final results of the study are to be reported to the 70th Legislature by September 2026.