HB 269 eliminates the Organic Commodity Advisory Council and revises the state organic certification program, affecting organic producers, processors, and handlers in Montana. Previously, the program's implementation and the council's establishment were contingent on petitions from the organic industry. The revised bill directly establishes a state organic certification program under the Department of Agriculture's administration. The Department is now authorized to adopt rules, must regularly seek input from the organic industry, and is not obligated to continue the program if it fails to meet budget requirements or if private certifiers provide sufficient coverage.
House Bill 226, titled the "Legal Employment and Government Accountability Law," requires employers to verify the legal work authorization of all employees before they start working. Employers must use either the federal E-Verify program or a completed Form I-9 with supporting documents to confirm eligibility. The Department of Labor and Industry is authorized to enforce this law through investigations, audits, and rulemaking. Non-compliance can lead to civil penalties, including fines for each individual employed in violation and potential suspension of business licenses for repeat offenses. A dedicated state special revenue fund will collect these penalties to support the law's implementation and administration.
HB 251 revises laws concerning public charter schools, establishing a definition for "public charter school district" to clarify its governing authority as a non-taxing entity. The bill requires the Office of Public Instruction to provide a fiscal analysis for charter school applications and mandates the Board of Public Education to limit costs for new schools, prioritizing those emphasizing personalized and proficiency-based learning. It removes the Board of Public Education's authority to waive statutory requirements in charter contracts. Additionally, the bill allows public charter school districts to receive other forms of public funding and donations, and defines financial obligations for a child's resident school district when serving students with disabilities.
HJ 42 requests an interim study of state agency procurement practices in Montana. This study will review existing statutes and rules, identify how agencies determine whether to seek bids, and examine state procurement items over $25,000 from the past four years for any deviations from the Montana Procurement Act. It aims to identify funds paid to vendors selected outside standard processes, evaluate contracts for waste, fraud, or abuse, and investigate ways to standardize contract reporting. The study will culminate in recommendations for changes to prevent future deviations and will be reported to the 70th Legislature.
House Joint Resolution 1 (HJ 1) is a resolution from the Montana Legislature urging the United States Congress to fully fund public safety and law enforcement agencies and programs within Montana's Indian reservations. It also calls on the U.S. Department of Justice to collaborate with the Department of the Interior and consult with tribal governments to improve the administration and funding of tribal justice systems, including courts and victim services. The resolution further invites Montana's tribal governments and requests the Governor to send supporting communications to Congress, which the Montana Secretary of State will then compile and forward.
Senate Joint Resolution 37 requests an interim survey of behavioral health services in Montana to assess access to mental health care for Montanans. An assigned legislative committee will survey the number and geographic distribution of various mental health beds, including those for emergency detention, crisis stabilization, and long-term psychiatric treatment for adolescents and adults. The survey will also count providers of crisis stabilization and ongoing mental health services, including psychiatrists and clinical psychologists. The committee is asked to draft legislation based on the survey to increase bed availability and reduce barriers for behavioral health care providers, especially in rural areas, with results reported to the 70th Legislature.
House Joint Resolution 61 (HJ 61) requests an interim study on Montana's property insurance market. This study aims to evaluate the reasons behind rising property insurance costs and their impact on rates, which directly affects homeowners, landlords, tenants, and businesses across the state. An interim committee will analyze policy strategies to stabilize the market and develop approaches for more accessible and affordable property insurance, with final results reported to the 70th Legislature.
House Joint Resolution 32 requests an interim study to examine the training and qualifications of law enforcement investigators within Montana agencies. This study will review current training opportunities for serious crimes, survey the number of qualified officers, and explore ways to increase qualified investigators. The final results, including any recommendations, will be reported to the 70th Legislature.
HJ 29 is a joint resolution recognizing and reaffirming the strong bilateral relationship between the State of Montana and Taiwan. It commemorates the upcoming 40th anniversary of their sister-state relationship and highlights existing trade, educational, and cultural ties. The resolution also advocates for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations and endorses a closer economic and trade partnership between the United States and Taiwan.
HJ 35 is a joint resolution from the Montana Legislature urging federal officials to modify current federal land management and wildfire policies. It calls for an aggressive initial attack on wildfires across all federal lands and for federal forest roads to remain open for access and fire suppression. The resolution also recommends that EPA air quality standards include wildfire smoke and that federal "let it burn" policies be reversed, ensuring NEPA processes are followed. Finally, it advocates for increased involvement of state and local governments and stakeholder groups in federal fire management decisions to protect Montana's communities.
HB 208 grants municipalities the authority to regulate unauthorized occupancy or camping on public property and facilities within their jurisdiction. The bill amends existing state law to add this specific power to the general list of capabilities for municipalities. This allows local governments to prohibit or otherwise control unauthorized use of their public lands and buildings. The legislation directly affects municipal governments by expanding their regulatory powers and impacts individuals who may occupy or camp on these public properties without authorization.
Senate Joint Resolution 29 (SJ 29) requests an interim study to examine how the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) can coordinate efforts. The study aims to address the health and learning needs of children who have been prenatally exposed to methamphetamine and fentanyl. An assigned committee will gather statistics, research approaches from other states, and develop proposals in collaboration with various entities, including tribal governments and early childhood providers. The final results and recommendations from this study will be reported to the 70th Legislature.
