HB 692 revises the SMART Act, changing requirements for annual plans submitted by Montana state departments. The bill mandates that each department produce an annual plan every year, rather than every two years. These plans must now include program-level initiatives describing expected benefits and outcomes for the public. Departments are also required to include specific, measurable performance measures for these initiatives, track them, and post the plans on their websites.
SB 337 creates a temporary property tax exemption for land undergoing residential subdivision development. Developers can qualify by applying to the department and prepaying five times the most recent annual property taxes and assessments for the property. This exemption applies to the real property within the subdivision for up to five years, or until a habitable dwelling is built on an individual lot, or until 95% of the lots in the subdivision contain habitable dwellings. The bill's provisions apply to property tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.
SB 492 revises the business disclosure statement requirements for statewide and state district elected officials, candidates for these offices, department directors, and individuals appointed to fill these positions. The bill modifies the thresholds for disclosing financial interests, requiring officials to report ownership of more than 10% in most businesses and real property (excluding personal residences), and more than 1% in publicly traded companies. It also clarifies the deadlines for filing these statements and allows individuals to certify if their previously submitted information has not changed. These disclosure statements are made available to the public.
SB 553 introduces new policies concerning residential development, airline travel, and legislative committees. It allows local governments to establish rules for residential developers to share costs for extending or enhancing capital facilities or intersection improvements. The bill also prohibits expiration dates on airline travel credits, assigns ownership to the possessor, limits associated fees, and allows for cash redemption of small remaining balances. Additionally, it establishes a $1 fee on airline tickets for travel to or from Montana, with the collected revenue designated to combat human trafficking.
SB 430 revises laws related to the civil commitment and emergency detention of individuals with mental illness. The bill establishes specific conditions that must be met before a person can be transported or transferred to the Montana State Hospital. It clarifies that refusing or being unable to admit a person to the hospital is not contempt of court if a bed is unavailable, the hospital is at licensed capacity, or required information and records are not received. This affects courts, judicial officers, and the Montana State Hospital's admission processes for individuals undergoing commitment or emergency detention.
SB 429 revises Montana laws regarding a defendant's mental fitness to proceed in criminal court cases. The bill updates procedures for evaluating a defendant's competency and outlines conditions for the involuntary administration of medication to restore fitness. It also clarifies when a state hospital's inability to admit a committed individual for evaluation is not considered contempt of court. Additionally, the legislation modifies provisions for the payment of commitment expenses and grants rulemaking authority for implementation.
Senate Bill 564 requires the Department of Administration to create and manage a public website to increase transparency of state procurement transactions. This website will provide detailed information on payments made by state agencies, including the contractor's name, the purpose of the payment, and the amount. To help offset the costs of establishing and maintaining this website, vendors will be required to pay an application fee when submitting bids or proposals for state contracts. The bill aims to improve public access to how state funds are spent on supplies and services.
SB 435 revises laws related to individuals experiencing mental illness by establishing a new 72-hour mental health hold. This provision allows a mental health professional to place an individual in a facility for up to 72 hours if, due to a mental disorder, they cannot meet basic needs, cause injury, or pose an imminent threat to themselves or others. During this hold, the individual receives an evaluation, and options upon release include further voluntary care or a petition for commitment. Additionally, the bill allows for the waiver of an individual's physical presence at mental health hearings under specific conditions, such as if their presence would seriously adversely affect their mental health condition.
HB 483 aims to reduce property taxes by revising school funding laws, while preserving the existing 95 school equalization mills. The bill fixes state and county school equalization mills and vocational-technical education mills, and exempts school levies from general property tax increase limits. It also increases guaranteed tax base multipliers for fiscal year 2026 and raises state reimbursement rates for school transportation, which helps lower local property tax burdens. Additionally, the bill requires reports from the Office of Public Instruction and Department of Revenue on the impacts of property reappraisal on school funding and property taxes.
SB 447 revises state laws related to prior authorization for health care services, affecting individuals with health insurance and health insurance issuers. The bill extends the length of a prior authorization certification. For treatment of chronic conditions, a prior authorization would be valid for the duration of that condition. Additionally, this bill prohibits prior authorization for certain prescriptions.
SB 393 appropriates $6 million from the state's general fund for the biennium starting July 1, 2025, to reimburse expenditures related to felony criminal jurisdiction on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The funding is distributed to Lake County and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Initial funds are contingent upon Lake County rescinding its resolution to withdraw from Public Law 280. Further distributions require an agreement between the state, Lake County, and the Tribes addressing cost-sharing for Public Law 280 implementation within Lake County, and Lake County's ability to withdraw consent for jurisdiction is restricted until at least June 2027.
SB 446 revises laws related to health utilization review, affecting health insurance companies, utilization review organizations, and patients. It requires that only a physician licensed in the state, with a relevant specialty, can make adverse determinations (denials of coverage) or review grievances. The bill also restricts health insurance issuers from requiring prior authorization for certain prescription drugs, such as some generics, drugs for substance use disorder, and long-acting injectable antipsychotics. If an issuer or utilization review organization fails to comply with the requirements, the healthcare service under review will be automatically approved.
