Sen. Laura Smith

Primary SB 257

Signed into law · Montana Senate · Lead sponsor

Generally revise Smith River permit laws

Maddy summarySenate Bill 257 revises the permit laws for the Smith River waterway. It increases the cost for nonresidents to purchase a bonus point for the Smith River permit lottery from $50 to $125. This change directly affects nonresidents applying for permits to float and camp on the Smith River. The additional revenue generated from these bonus points will be deposited into the Smith River corridor enhancement account, which funds projects to protect and improve the river's natural beauty, recreational values, fisheries, and wildlife habitat.

Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases nonresident permit fees (tax-like revenue) to fund Smith River corridor projects, directly allocating new revenue to a specific enhancement account.90% confidence EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs increased permit fees to Smith River corridor enhancement account funding projects to protect and improve river's natural beauty and recreation, directly advancing environmental conservation.95% confidence

Signed into law May 13, 2025 0 co-sponsors

Primary SB 258

Vetoed · Montana Senate · Lead sponsor

Revise school funding laws to clarify the legislature's authority related to inflationary adjustments

Maddy summarySB 258 clarifies the state legislature's authority regarding how public school funding is adjusted for inflation. It amends existing law that outlines how the Superintendent of Public Instruction calculates an annual inflation factor for various school entitlements, which is capped at 3%. This bill explicitly states that the legislature can, through its appropriation and lawmaking authority, provide inflationary adjustments that differ from these standard calculations and may exceed the 3% cap. This affects the financial resources allocated to public schools across the state.

EducationSupports EducationRemoves 3% cap on inflation adjustments, enabling potential increases in school funding authority per legislative discretion.90% confidence

Vetoed May 12, 2025 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary SB 412

Signed into law · Montana Senate · Lead sponsor

Provide for fee waivers of government documents to former foster children

Maddy summarySenate Bill 412 provides fee waivers for certain government documents for individuals who were formerly in foster care and are under 21 years of age. This includes fees for certified birth certificates, driver's licenses, state identification cards, and replacement licenses. Fees for university academic transcripts are also waived, with the Department of Public Health and Human Services authorized to seek federal funds to reimburse the institutions. Individuals can provide an oral attestation to prove eligibility for these waivers.

EducationSupports EducationWaives university transcript fees for former foster youth, enhancing higher education access as part of educational support for vulnerable students.85% confidence

Signed into law May 8, 2025 0 co-sponsors

Primary SB 208

Signed into law · Montana Senate · Lead sponsor

Revise definition of "dependent child" in highway patrol, police, and firefighter retirement systems

Maddy summarySB 208 revises the definition of "dependent child" within the retirement systems for highway patrol officers, police officers, and firefighters. For the Highway Patrol Officers' retirement system, the bill removes the requirement that a deceased member must have been "retired" for their child to be considered a dependent. This means an unmarried child under 18, or under 24 if a full-time student, of any deceased member may now qualify for benefits. The bill also updates the specific age and student status criteria for dependent children in the Police Officers' retirement system, and aims to make similar revisions for firefighters.

Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands dependent benefits for public safety retirees' families, strengthening employment benefits under retirement systems by removing eligibility barriers.85% confidence

Signed into law Apr 17, 2025 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 855

Signed into law · Montana House · Lead sponsor

Provide for plaque or tribute commemorating Chuck Johnson

Signed into law May 22, 2023 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 742

Signed into law · Montana House · Lead sponsor

Restrict use of restraints on youth

Signed into law May 22, 2023 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 743

Signed into law · Montana House · Lead sponsor

Revising laws related to incest

Signed into law May 19, 2023 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 218

Signed into law · Montana House · Lead sponsor

Revise private alternative adolescent residential or outdoor programs laws

Signed into law May 18, 2023 0 co-sponsors

Primary HB 793

died · Montana House · Lead sponsor

Revise laws related to strip searches of youth offenders

died May 8, 2023 0 co-sponsors Track

Primary HB 741

died · Montana House · Lead sponsor

Revise the youth court act

died May 8, 2023 0 co-sponsors Track