SB 514 generally revises laws related to upland game bird seasons in Montana. The bill requires the Fish and Wildlife Commission to allow Montana residents to hunt certain upland game birds 10 days prior to non-residents. This early hunting period applies to all upland game birds, including ring-necked pheasant, but specifically excludes mountain grouse (blue, spruce, and ruffed grouse). This provision applies to publicly accessible lands, not privately owned lands unless they are part of a hunting access program, and has a delayed effective date of March 1, 2026.
SB 348 revises laws related to sexual assault, primarily by increasing penalties for offenders. The bill raises the maximum fines and imprisonment terms for first, second, and third or subsequent convictions of sexual assault. A key provision mandates that individuals convicted of a second sexual assault offense must register as a sexual offender. These changes directly affect individuals convicted of sexual assault by strengthening legal consequences for the crime.
SB 545 establishes the Danny L. Radish Highway on a section of Highway 37 in Lincoln County. It directs the Department of Transportation to install appropriate signs and update state maps to include this new designation.
SB 550 revises property tax laws by expanding the definition of "Class five property" to include certain telecommunications property. This change directly affects telecommunications companies that provide services exclusively to rural areas, smaller cities and towns with populations of 1,200 or less, or those operating in three or fewer counties. Their property will now be classified under Class five, which is taxed at 3% of its market value. The bill takes immediate effect and applies retroactively.
SB 532 revises county zoning laws to require counties with zoning regulations to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on lots with existing single-family homes. It mandates that counties permit at least one ADU "by right," meaning without requiring special permits or public hearings, and sets size limits for detached or attached units. The bill prohibits counties from imposing certain restrictions on ADUs, such as requiring additional parking, owner occupancy, or specific exterior designs. Counties may charge a one-time application fee for reviewing ADU applications and must comply with expedited sanitation review provisions.
SB 316 revises disability retirement benefit provisions for members of the Municipal Police Officers' Retirement System (MPORS) and the Firefighters' Unified Retirement System (FURS). It specifies that disability retirement benefits for these members will remain disability benefits, rather than converting to service retirement, once they reach normal retirement age, and will no longer require medical examinations. The bill also clarifies the calculation of line-of-duty disability benefits based on years of service. These changes apply retroactively to MPORS and FURS members who became disabled in the line of duty on or before January 1, 2025.
SB 440 requires new public reporting of statewide election results by county election administrators and the Secretary of State. It mandates county election administrators to create and publicly post a detailed spreadsheet, including information on registered voters, various ballot types, and precinct-level data, before the county canvass. The Secretary of State then compiles this county data into a comprehensive reconciliation report, which must be publicly available and presented to the legislature before the state certifies election results. The bill also establishes a process for addressing any discrepancies found in county results, involving county officials, legislative leadership, and potentially the legislative audit committee.
SB 520 revises state laws concerning mining leases on state-owned lands for metalliferous minerals, gems, and nonmetallic minerals. It establishes a primary lease term of at least 10 years, which can be extended if production continues or if legal challenges or exploration licenses delay operations. The bill also requires the state department to withhold proprietary geological information from public inspection for a minimum of five years after a lease expires. These changes directly affect mining companies and individuals who lease state lands for mineral extraction, as well as the state board overseeing these leases.
SB 535 revises laws related to experimental treatments, primarily by requiring experimental treatment centers to obtain a license from the state department. These centers must adhere to operational standards and pay licensing fees. The bill also mandates that licensed centers allocate 2% of their net annual profits to support access to experimental treatments for qualifying Montana residents. This allocation can be fulfilled by providing free treatment or contributing to a new Insurance Premium Support Account. This account is established to help fund health insurance premiums for eligible Montana residents who purchase insurance on the federal marketplace and meet specific income criteria.
This bill establishes a state licensure system for doulas, defining them as nonmedical professionals who provide continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. Beginning January 1, 2027, individuals wishing to practice as state-licensed doulas must obtain a license from the Department of Labor and Industry. Licensure requires paying fees, completing specific competencies, and adhering to professional conduct standards. Additionally, the bill allows the Department of Public Health and Human Services to provide Medicaid coverage for services offered by state-licensed doulas.
Senate Bill 413 creates the crime of "disclosing explicit synthetic media," also known as deepfakes, directly affecting individuals who create or share AI-generated content and protecting those falsely depicted. The bill makes it an offense to knowingly share synthetic media portraying an identifiable person engaged in sexual conduct or depicting intimate body parts without their consent, if it would cause substantial emotional distress. It also criminalizes disclosing such media with intent to harass or threaten, or possessing and threatening to disclose it for extortion. Penalties include fines and jail time, with increased penalties for repeat offenses or if the depicted person is under 18, though exceptions exist for reporting crimes, research, or legal proceedings.
HB 406 revises several election deadlines specifically for school district elections. It requires school trustees to call regular school elections earlier, at least 145 days beforehand. Candidates for school trustee positions must now file their declaration of intent between 145 and 85 days before the election, and the deadline for withdrawing from an election is also moved earlier. Additionally, the bill adjusts the timeline for write-in candidates and requires district clerks to certify ballots at least 37 days before an election. These changes aim to align school election processes more closely with other local government elections.
