This resolution (LC 4472) confirms five appointments made by Montana's Governor to the Board of Milk Control. It formally approves the Governor's selections of Brian Beerman, Ken Bryan, Staci Ketchum, W. Scott Mitchell, and Travis Stroh for terms ending in 2027 or 2029. The Senate resolution serves as routine confirmation under state law (section 5-5-302, MCA), with no new policy changes or mechanisms introduced. It directly affects the appointed board members, allowing them to assume their roles on the regulatory board overseeing milk industry standards.
This bill (LC 1418) amends Montana's definition of "tobacco products" to explicitly include vapor products, such as e-cigarettes and vape pens, that deliver nicotine through vaporization. It revises Section 16-11-102, MCA, to define "tobacco product" as any device or substance consumed via vaporization for nicotine delivery. This change brings vapor products under Montana's existing tobacco taxation framework, affecting manufacturers, retailers, and distributors of these products. The bill does not establish tax rates but enables future tax implementation for vapor products. It directly affects businesses selling vapor products by subjecting them to the same tax rules as traditional tobacco products.
This bill allows property owners to apply for a refund of their property taxes if their local government (city, county, or consolidated city-county) fails to enforce laws against specific public nuisances like illegal camping, public drinking, or panhandling, and the owner incurs documented costs to mitigate these issues on their property. The refund amount equals the documented mitigation expenses, but cannot exceed the owner’s prior year’s property tax payment to the local government. The state department of revenue processes applications, requiring local governments to accept or reject refunds within 30 days; rejections can be challenged in court, where the government bears the burden of proof. Refunds are paid from the state general fund and deducted from the local government’s future entitlement share payments.
This resolution (LC 4473) confirms two appointments made by Montana's Governor to the Board of Livestock. It formally approves Jake Feddes (Belgrade) and Greg Wichman (Hilger) to serve three-year terms ending March 1, 2031, as required under Montana law (MCA § 2-15-3102 and § 5-5-302). The Senate resolution authorizes the Secretary of State and Governor to proceed with these appointments per statutory procedure. This is a routine confirmation of executive appointments, not a new policy.
This bill amends Montana Code Annotated section 2-15-1808 to implement requirements from House Bill 2. It directs the Board of Investments (within Montana's Department of Commerce) to operate under a "restricted fiduciary fund type" as specified in law. The amendment clarifies the Board's composition, including nine governor-appointed members (with specific representation requirements) and two nonvoting legislative liaisons from opposing parties. The changes take effect July 1, 2025.
This bill requires Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services to provide quarterly reports to the Health and Human Services Budget Committee on its progress developing a plan to comply with the Olmstead decision (a Supreme Court ruling requiring community-based care for people with disabilities instead of institutional settings). The reporting obligation begins after the 69th legislative session and continues until September 15, 2026, with the law taking effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects the Department of Public Health and Human Services, mandating regular updates on their Olmstead implementation efforts. The bill does not create new policy but establishes a temporary reporting mechanism for an existing requirement under Chapter 554, Laws of 2023.
This bill directs the state treasurer to transfer $30 million from the general fund to Montana's local road and bridge account by July 15, 2025. The funds are intended to support local road and bridge maintenance and improvement projects managed by counties and municipalities. The transfer is a one-time action, not an ongoing funding source, and applies specifically to the account designated under state law (15-70-132). The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, with the transfer deadline set for July 15.
This resolution confirms Governor's appointment of Donald Skillman to the Montana Board of Medical Examiners for a term ending July 1, 2028. It is a procedural Senate action to formally approve the Governor's selection, as required by Montana law (MCA § 5-5-302). The resolution does not alter any medical licensing laws or create new policies - it simply ratifies the Governor's appointment to the board. This affects the Board of Medical Examiners' membership and the Governor's authority to appoint board members.
This bill creates a Board of Passenger Ropeway Safety to regulate ski lifts and similar systems in Montana. It requires all ski area operators to register their ropeways with the board through an application process, undergo periodic inspections, and comply with safety rules. The board, appointed by the governor and including ski industry representatives, will issue annual certificates, set safety standards, and collect registration fees. This directly affects ski area operators by imposing new registration and inspection requirements to enhance public safety.
This bill expands Montana's job growth tax credit to include construction industry apprentices as "qualifying new employees." It amends Section 39-11-404 to explicitly define apprentices as eligible for the credit, which previously required hiring full-time employees meeting specific wage and growth thresholds. Employers in the construction industry that hire apprentices will now qualify for the same annual tax credit as those hiring other new employees, subject to existing requirements (e.g., 10+ apprentices in the first year, 15+ annually after). The credit remains tied to net employee growth calculations and is administered by the Montana Department of Revenue. The policy change applies to credits claimed through 2028.
This bill (LC 2335) updates Montana's campaign finance reporting rules. It revises the definition of "political committee," shortens the deadline for filing campaign finance reports, and clarifies who can sign certain committee reports. The bill also includes a new appropriation to fund these changes. These updates directly affect political committees and candidates who must file campaign finance disclosures. The changes focus on procedural clarity and timing, not altering contribution limits or disclosure requirements.
This bill amends Montana law to change how local health boards handle isolation and quarantine orders. It directly affects local health boards and people under such orders by prohibiting boards from requiring vaccination or medication as a condition for ending isolation or quarantine. The key provision adds a specific restriction to existing health board powers (Section 50-2-116, MCA), ensuring individuals cannot be forced to receive medical treatments to end their isolation period. The bill also includes a funding appropriation and an effective date.
