Generally revise critical infrastructure protection laws
HB 257 updates Montana's critical infrastructure protection laws by explicitly adding broadband and wireless communications infrastructure (including internet cables, cell towers, and related equipment) to the list of protected facilities. The bill expands definitions in Section 82-1-601 to include these networks under "critical infrastructure facility," while Section 82-1-602 clarifies criminal penalties for trespassing or damaging such facilities. Trespassing with intent to harm these newly protected facilities now carries felony charges (up to 18 months in prison or $4,500 fines), and damage exceeding $1,500 becomes a felony (up to 30 years in prison or $150,000 fines). This law directly affects anyone entering or damaging internet, phone, or cable infrastructure sites, with stricter penalties for intentional harm.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Jan 17, 2025
Signed Apr 7, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 7 comparisons
What changed between versions
HB0257_X(4).pdf
→
HB0257_X(5).pdf
·
1 edit
MINOR
The bill underwent minor formatting and stylistic updates, primarily correcting the spacing and capitalization of the bill number from 'HB0257' to 'HB 257'. No substantive policy changes, such as new requirements, funding adjustments, or eligibility criteria, were identified in the provided text.
TECHNICAL
Corrected the formatting of the bill number from 'HB0257' to 'HB 257' in the header and enrolled bill sections.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 24, 2025 · House Feb 5, 2025
How they voted
49–1
Passed
Total votes 50
Mar 24, 2025
D
Democratic18
100% Yea
R
Republican32
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
43
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Apr 7, 2025
Signed into law
(H) Signed by Governor
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
Mar 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (49-1)
senate
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Energy, Technology & Federal Relations
upper
Mar 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Energy, Technology & Federal Relations
upper
Feb 17, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Energy, Technology & Federal Relations
upper
Feb 5, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (90-10)
house
Jan 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Energy, Technology and Federal Relations
lower
Jan 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Energy, Technology and Federal Relations
lower
Jan 20, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Energy, Technology and Federal Relations
lower
Jan 17, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Greg Kmetz
RRepublican
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 257
Scope: MT
Hi! I can help you understand HB 257. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline