HJ 20 is a joint resolution from the Montana Legislature requesting the federal government to increase the hours of service at Montana-Canada customs ports of entry. This resolution aims to enhance trade and allow for increased cross-border travel, which the state legislature states has been impeded by recent reductions in service hours. It directly affects the federal government by formally communicating Montana's request and seeks to benefit businesses and individuals who engage in cross-border activities between Montana and Canada.
House Joint Resolution 28 requests an interim study to help the State of Montana, tribal governments, and local government entities better access federal grant opportunities. The study will identify federal grants available since 2020, determine which are currently utilized or underutilized, and evaluate the reasons behind their use. It will also investigate any disparities faced by small, tribal, and rural government entities in securing these grants. The study aims to recommend strategies and resources to enhance federal grant acquisition across all levels of government, with findings reported to the 70th Legislature.
House Joint Resolution 56 requests an interim study of search and rescue services and their funding across Montana. The study aims to review current reimbursement amounts for local operations, streamline the reimbursement process, and address how funding affects tribal search and rescue teams. It will also examine existing funding sources and allocations for the state's search and rescue fund, with the goal of potentially centralizing its administration. The findings and recommendations from this study are to be reported to the 70th Legislature.
This joint resolution requests an interim study on endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and their impact on water quality in Montana. The study, to be conducted by a legislative committee or staff, will review existing state and federal water quality laws and analyze research on the health effects of EDCs. It also aims to determine the prevalence of these chemicals in Montana. The study will offer recommendations for future legislative or regulatory changes, with final results reported to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026.
HJ 31 is a joint resolution that recognizes and celebrates the contributions of educational support professionals in Montana's public schools. It designates April 3, 2025, as Educational Support Professionals Day.
Senate Joint Resolution 35 requests an interim study on voter list maintenance and integrity in Montana. A designated legislative committee will examine current practices by county election administrators and the Secretary of State, research methods used in other states, and identify inconsistencies. The study will also evaluate how state and national databases, such as those from the Motor Vehicle Division or USPS, can improve voter list accuracy. Its findings, including potential legislation, will be reported to the 70th Legislature by September 2026.
HJ 30 is a joint resolution requesting an interim study on methods to increase housing density and affordability across Montana. The study will be conducted by an appropriate interim committee or staff designated by the Legislative Council. It will investigate incentives for local governments to increase housing density, review state programs supporting housing, and analyze the economic implications of increased density, including property taxes. The study will also identify programs to fund water and wastewater systems for local governments, with final results reported to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026.
HJ 55 is a joint resolution requesting an interim study on property management practices and licensing in Montana. It directs a legislative committee or staff to review current licensing, education, and fee requirements for property managers, as well as their compliance with state landlord-tenant laws. The study will also examine costs passed to landowners and tenants, compare Montana's practices with other states, and consider how foreign corporations manage rental properties. The committee is tasked with gathering feedback from various stakeholders and reporting its findings to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026.
HB 270 revises the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) by modifying requirements for environmental reviews conducted by state agencies. The bill clarifies that MEPA is procedural and not intended to provide regulatory authority beyond existing statutes. It updates the criteria for analyzing alternatives in environmental impact statements, requiring them to be technologically achievable and economically feasible for similar projects. Furthermore, the bill mandates that agencies consider regulatory impacts on private property rights and analyze alternatives that reduce or eliminate such regulations. For non-state-sponsored projects, alternative recommendations are not binding on the project sponsor.
HJ 62 is a joint resolution requesting an interim study on wildfire prevention and community resilience in Montana. The study will task an interim committee with examining the increasing impacts of wildfires on population centers, the role of land use planning and building materials in fire spread, and the effectiveness of existing state policies. It also seeks to identify potential solutions, including community incentives and statewide regulations, to alleviate wildfire risk. The committee's findings and recommendations will be reported to the 70th Legislature to inform future policy decisions impacting Montanans.
Joint Resolution 19 declares the last full week of September as Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) Awareness Week in the state of Montana. This resolution aims to raise public understanding of FTD, a neurodegenerative disease, and requests the Governor to issue a similar proclamation.
HB 166 removes the termination dates for two specific financial accounts: the Montana Historical Society Membership Special Revenue Account and the Montana Original Governor's Mansion Special Revenue Account. This action allows these accounts, which support the Montana Historical Society and the Governor's Mansion, to continue operating indefinitely without a previously scheduled end date. The bill achieves this by repealing Section 6, Chapter 423, Laws of 2015, which originally established these termination dates.
