Sen. Daniel Emrich

Maddy summarySB 395 would revise Montana law to clarify that individuals must have concrete, specific injuries to sue in court, rather than relying on general disagreements with government policies. It defines legal standing as requiring proof of actual harm caused by the defendant, with injuries needing to be real and immediate - not speculative or based solely on public importance. This bill directly affects anyone filing lawsuits in Montana, particularly those challenging government actions or policies without demonstrating personal harm. The law aims to prevent courts from deciding cases where plaintiffs lack sufficient personal stake, aligning with traditional legal standards for "justiciable" disputes.

Maddy summarySB 475, introduced in Montana, proposes to ban vaccines containing aluminum as an ingredient for use or administration within the state. It requires vaccine manufacturers and distributors to submit implementation plans within one year, including timelines for removing aluminum-containing vaccines and distributing aluminum-free alternatives. The ban would take effect only after the health department certifies aluminum-free vaccines are available. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and was never enacted into law. It directly affects vaccine providers, manufacturers, and distributors operating in Montana.

Maddy summarySB 155 would have created a three-member scientific panel within Montana's Department of Agriculture to evaluate food additives and colors. The panel, requiring expertise in toxicology and food science, would study cumulative dietary effects and recommend limiting harmful additives, which the Department would then enforce with FDA collaboration. The bill amended state law to formalize this process but died in committee in 2025 without becoming law, so it never affected any businesses or policies.

Maddy summarySB 157 would have allowed Montana taxpayers who itemize deductions on their federal tax returns to deduct up to 150% of their charitable contributions from their Montana state income tax. This provision, added to Montana's tax code, would have directly affected individual filers who itemize federal deductions and make charitable gifts. The bill proposed a specific mechanism where the state deduction amount would be calculated as 150% of the federal charitable deduction amount claimed. However, the bill was tabled in committee and later died in the legislative process in May 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 43 revises Montana court procedures to limit when courts can issue injunctions (court orders stopping a law's enforcement). It specifically prohibits district courts from granting injunctions to stop state laws from being enforced against people not involved in the lawsuit (nonparties), and requires any injunction seeking statewide effect to be appealed directly to the Montana Supreme Court instead of being enforced locally. The bill amends Montana Code sections 27-19-101 and 27-19-103 to clarify these restrictions, directly affecting how courts handle lawsuits challenging state laws. These changes aim to align court practices with established legal principles about injunction scope and nonparty rights.

Maddy summarySB 453, the "Electronic Data Ownership Act," would establish that electronic data created by Montana residents belongs to them personally, requiring entities holding such data to hold it in trust. It prohibits selling this data to the federal government without the resident’s explicit consent and restricts disclosure to federal authorities except under specific legal orders (like subpoenas), requiring notice to the individual unless court-ordered delays apply. The bill also mandates actual payment for data sales, bans unfair contract terms forcing data forfeiture, and prohibits inheriting data upon death without prior election. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill would clarify Montana's separation of powers by explicitly defining the specific authorities of each government branch. It would state that legislators cannot exercise executive or judicial powers, the governor cannot make laws, and courts cannot alter enforcement of laws or change effective dates. The bill would codify existing constitutional limits into statute, affecting all state government operations by defining legislative, executive, and judicial boundaries. However, the bill failed its third reading in January 2025 and died in the legislative process before becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 452 would require online media manufacturers (not government entities) to disclose when artificial intelligence curates or controls content users see and provide an opt-out option. It mandates visible markers on AI-generated content - like watermarks or labels - to alert users, even if original markers are removed. The bill defines "artificial intelligence" as systems that mimic human behavior to shape information flow and specifies "markers" as clear visual or audio disclosures. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and is not law.

Maddy summarySB 384 allows Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services to temporarily remove a child from their home for up to 15 days due to temporary hardships like sudden illness, medical emergencies, or legal issues preventing safe care. The child must be returned home within 15 days unless parents cannot resume care, in which case the department may file for emergency protective services. "Temporary hardship" is defined as short-term physical, medical, or legal circumstances that temporarily prevent a parent or guardian from ensuring the child's safety. The bill amends Montana's child welfare laws to establish this specific 15-day temporary placement process with clear return requirements.

Maddy summarySB 451 would revise Montana's public library laws to define and limit the services libraries can offer. It requires all free public libraries to provide only services directly tied to core functions, such as access to books and digital resources, educational programs, technology access, literacy support, and community meeting spaces. The bill explicitly prohibits libraries from offering services unrelated to these core purposes, like commercial activities or political events. This law would apply to all Montana free public libraries, ensuring their services align strictly with traditional library roles.