Sen. Ken Bogner

Maddy summarySB 353 would have expanded Montana's "right to try" law to allow minors with terminal illnesses access to investigational drugs, biological products, or devices. Currently, the law excluded minors from this pathway; this bill would permit eligibility if a minor's treating health care provider attests that the minor has a terminal illness. The bill did not change other existing requirements, such as exhausting approved treatments or obtaining written consent. This change would directly affect minors diagnosed with terminal illnesses seeking experimental treatments not yet approved by the FDA. (Note: The bill died in committee in May 2025 and was never enacted.)

Maddy summarySB 459 requires Montana's state investment board to avoid investing in securities from jurisdictions where federal accounting inspections of firms cannot occur. It prohibits investments in such securities and mandates the board to sell them off without financial loss when possible. The bill also requires the board to consult with the Securities and Exchange Commission biennially to ensure compliance with state investment rules. This directly affects how Montana manages its public investment funds.

Maddy summarySB 400 would require residential property owners to vote on changes to easements, covenants, conditions, or restrictions affecting multiple properties, with a majority vote needed for approval (unless all owners consent in writing after notice). The bill mandates a 30-day notice period for voting, allows written proxy voting, and protects owners' rights to participate in association decisions like dues increases or board elections. It applies to existing agreements and would take immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summaryMontana's SB 399 would change the timing of primary elections, moving them from June to May in even-numbered years. The bill directly affects all Montana voters participating in primary elections and election officials managing ballot processing. Key provisions include amending the law to set primary dates as "the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May" instead of June, requiring separate ballots for primary and school elections held on the same day (with primary ballots counted first), and mandating that the secretary of state notify Montana's federally recognized tribal governments about the bill. This is a procedural change focused solely on election scheduling and ballot handling.

Maddy summarySB 431 would have prevented homeowners' associations (HOAs) from enforcing new restrictions on residential property that are stricter than those in place when the owner purchased the property, unless the owner signed a written agreement at the time of the rule change. It required owners claiming this protection to record their exception with the county and notify other owners, while preserving existing rules that were already in place at purchase. The bill also clarified that HOAs couldn’t enforce changes to restrict uses (like renting or home businesses) beyond what was allowed when the property was acquired, except for rules required by law. However, this bill was withdrawn and died in process in 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 176 would prohibit discrimination against individuals or businesses based on firearm ownership or activity in insurance and financial services. It requires businesses seeking state licenses for insurance or financial services to submit a "certificate of nondiscrimination" proving they won't deny coverage or services due to firearms. The bill makes these certificates public records and allows fines of up to $5,000 per violation for non-compliance. It explicitly excludes workplace policies and employment contracts from its requirements. The bill did not advance beyond committee in Montana's 2025 legislative session.

Maddy summarySB 548 would have required individuals or groups acting on behalf of foreign governments (e.g., advocating on U.S. policy, elections, or state-foreign relations) to register with Montana’s Secretary of State, pay a fee, and submit monthly reports. It also barred certain foreign corporations from receiving state economic development incentives. The bill defined key terms like "foreign agent," "foreign government," and "public policy matter" to clarify scope. However, the bill was withdrawn in March 2025 and ultimately died in process, so these requirements never took effect.

Maddy summarySB 563 would create a temporary "provisional resident license" for recent medical school graduates in Montana who have passed initial licensing exams but haven't yet secured a residency position. This license allows them to provide supervised patient care under a licensed physician's direct oversight through a formal collaborative agreement, with a maximum duration of two years total. The bill directly affects new physicians seeking their first clinical roles while awaiting residency placements. It amends Montana's medical licensing laws to establish specific qualifications, fees, and supervision requirements for this temporary license.

Maddy summarySB 131 would repeal a provision (Section 13-37-403, MCA) that established a "constituent services account" allowing Montana legislators to set aside state funds for direct services to residents. The bill specifically removes the legal authority for this account, which previously permitted legislators to use allocated funds for constituent assistance and donate leftover money to charities. This repeal would directly affect legislators who utilized this account for constituent services, eliminating the specific funding mechanism. The bill contained no new funding or policy changes beyond removing this existing provision.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 564 requires the Department of Administration to create and manage a public website to increase transparency of state procurement transactions. This website will provide detailed information on payments made by state agencies, including the contractor's name, the purpose of the payment, and the amount. To help offset the costs of establishing and maintaining this website, vendors will be required to pay an application fee when submitting bids or proposals for state contracts. The bill aims to improve public access to how state funds are spent on supplies and services.