Montana Bills

This bill establishes the Montana Data Center Development Act to clarify rules for large electricity customers, primarily affecting data centers and other major energy users requiring over 5,000 kilowatts of demand. It prohibits the Public Service Commission from blocking regulated utilities from serving new large customers (like data centers) and clarifies that utilities must demonstrate long-term service won't harm other customers before providing power. The bill amends Montana law to ensure data center development isn't hindered by regulatory uncertainty, while maintaining the Commission's role in setting tariffs and oversight. It directly impacts how utilities serve large commercial and industrial customers seeking reliable, affordable power.

This bill appropriates $120,000 from the general fund to the Montana Department of Justice for recruitment and retention efforts at the Montana State Crime Lab, covering the fiscal years starting July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026. The funds are designated as a one-time-only appropriation, meaning they cannot be reused in future budgets. Any unspent funds must revert to the general fund by the end of the fiscal period. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, and directly affects the Montana State Crime Lab's staffing resources.

This bill creates a state-funded mobile home park emergency relocation account to help tenants who must move due to a park's change in use (e.g., redevelopment). Tenants renting mobile homes in Montana can receive up to $10,000 for single-section or $15,000 for multi-section mobile homes to cover moving costs, or 50% of that amount if abandoning the home. The account is funded by annual $1.50 assessments per $100 of a mobile home's taxable value (paid like property tax) and campground license fees. Eligibility requires the tenant to be notified before a change-in-use notice and not to have already relocated within the park. The Department of Commerce manages the account and disburses funds per the bill's rules.

This bill (LC 3799) establishes a Medicaid Stabilization Reserve Account within Montana's state special revenue fund. It requires transferring unused state Medicaid funding at year-end to this reserve, which can only be used to maintain Medicaid matching funds during projected general fund budget shortfalls (as defined by 17-7-140). The account cannot fund other state programs, and any interest earned must be reinvested. This directly affects Montana's Medicaid program and state budget management by creating a dedicated buffer to prevent cuts to Medicaid services during revenue shortfalls, effective for fiscal year 2025 and beyond.

This bill allows Montana taxpayers to adjust their 2024 tax returns for differences between Montana and federal net operating loss (NOL) calculations as of December 31, 2023. Taxpayers with a Montana NOL carryover smaller than the federal amount can reduce their taxable income (positive adjustment), while those with a larger Montana carryover must increase their taxable income (negative adjustment). The adjustment must be claimed by October 15, 2025, on a 2024 return or amended return, applying the adjustment before using newer NOLs from after 2023. It applies retroactively to tax years beginning after December 31, 2023, and does not affect future NOL calculations.

This bill creates the "Senior and Long-Term Care Home and Community-Based Services Access and Stabilization Act" to improve access to care for seniors and disabled Montanans. It requires Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services to shift Medicaid-covered assisted living services from the Big Sky Waiver program to the lower-cost Community First Choice Option program by 2026, updating room and board payment rules (tying payments to SSI or income minus $200) to reflect current costs. The savings generated from this shift must be used to serve over 300 individuals currently waiting for services on the Big Sky Waiver program's waiting list. The bill also mandates quarterly reporting on program costs, waiting lists, and service usage to track progress.

This joint resolution (LC 4286) is a symbolic statement by Montana's legislature recommending the state join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. It does not change Montana's election laws but proposes that Montana award its electoral votes to the presidential candidate who wins the most votes nationwide, rather than the candidate who wins Montana's popular vote. The resolution notes that 17 states and DC have already joined the compact, collectively holding 209 electoral votes (out of the 270 needed for the compact to take effect). Montana's participation would align it with these states, though the resolution itself has no legal force and requires separate legislative action to implement.

This bill allows property-owning entities (such as corporations or trusts) that previously missed out on Montana property tax rebates to claim refunds for 2022 and 2023 taxes. It amends existing law to make eligible properties owned by entities that did not receive rebates under prior rules, with rebates capped at $500 per year. Claimants must submit applications electronically or by mail by October 1, 2025, providing proof of ownership and residency. The bill extends the funding deadline for these rebates from 2025 to 2026 and specifies that only one rebate per tax year will be issued.

This bill (LC 3802) expands Montana's Medicaid Buy-In Program to include children with disabilities who were previously ineligible due to asset limits. It removes the $30,000 resource threshold for children under 19 with disabilities seeking coverage through the program, aligning their eligibility criteria with those for adults with disabilities under Section 53-6-195. The change directly affects families of children with disabilities who exceed the prior asset limit but meet income requirements. The bill amends Montana Code Annotated sections 53-6-113 and 53-6-195 to implement this policy change, with funding provided through an appropriation.

Montana bill LC 4173 revises property tax rules to exempt certain telecommunications infrastructure from taxation. It directly affects rural telecommunications providers serving rural areas or communities with 1,200 residents or fewer, including those operating in no more than three counties. The bill creates a 5-year tax exemption for newly installed fiber optic or coaxial cable placed in service after July 1, 2021, requiring owners to reinvest tax savings into new Montana infrastructure within two years. After 5 years, the exemption phases out gradually over 10 years, ending at full taxable value.

This bill revises Montana's disability parking permit eligibility to include pregnant women as a qualifying condition. A pregnant woman may obtain a temporary disability parking permit for up to one year by providing certification from a licensed physician, certified midwife, or licensed advanced practice registered nurse. The state will collect a $10 fee for this permit, with funds deposited into the state general fund. This change directly affects pregnant women in Montana who require temporary parking accommodations due to pregnancy-related mobility needs.