This bill revises the composition and meeting procedures of Montana's State Plan Committee, which oversees career and technical education. It authorizes the Commissioner of Labor and Industry to appoint three new members representing the state workforce innovation board, business community, and labor community, while maintaining existing appointments from education advisory boards. The bill requires the committee to meet at least four times annually alongside the Montana State Workforce Innovation Board to discuss the state plan, address administrative issues, and identify needs for students, employers, and career programs. Additionally, it mandates that any new or revised five-year state plan align with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act combined state plan, and requires the Board of Regents to report meeting results to the legislature.
This bill limits contributions from certain tax-exempt organizations, specifically those exempt under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, to political and joint fundraising committees in Montana. It caps such contributions at $2,500 per organization for supporting or opposing candidates or ballot measures and completely prohibits these organizations from making direct contributions to candidates. Additionally, the bill bars any tax-exempt organization from contributing to political committees if it has received a donation from a foreign national within the previous four years. Violations of these contribution limits are subject to civil penalties under existing state law.
This bill updates Montana's hunting license laws to create a free special permit for minors under 18 who have a life-threatening illness, allowing them to hunt elk, deer, or antelope without paying the standard fee. To qualify, the youth must receive a recommendation from a Montana charity or nonprofit organization and provide medical documentation confirming their diagnosis. The license is issued on a one-time basis for a single hunting season and includes specific requirements for obtaining and using the permit. The legislation also clarifies existing hunter safety education rules for minors and establishes the department's authority to set licensing caps and adopt related rules.
This bill updates Montana's rental laws by clarifying key definitions used in tenant-landlord agreements and establishing new rules for rent payment methods. It directly affects landlords, tenants, and property managers by standardizing terms like "dwelling unit," "tenant," and "rent payment type" to include cash, check, electronic, and other agreed-upon forms. The legislation prohibits landlords from charging additional fees based on how rent is paid, with the exception of reimbursing tenants for electronic bank fees incurred during payment. By amending specific sections of the Montana Code Annotated, the bill aims to create clearer legal standards for rental transactions across the state.
This bill proposes to change Montana's constitutional amendment process by increasing the number of legislative votes required to approve a constitutional amendment through a legislative referendum. Currently, the state constitution allows amendments to be proposed by the legislature and submitted to voters if approved by a two-thirds vote, but this bill seeks to clarify and potentially adjust that threshold. The measure would be submitted to Montana voters at the November 2026 general election for approval. If passed by voters, the change would affect how future constitutional amendments are initiated and approved by the state legislature.
This bill proposes changing how Montana citizens can amend the state constitution through a citizen initiative process. Currently, a constitutional amendment by initiative requires approval from a majority of voters, but this bill would raise that threshold to three-fifths of the votes cast on the measure. The legislation also maintains existing requirements for gathering signatures from at least 10% of qualified voters across the state and two-fifths of legislative districts. If passed by a two-thirds legislative vote, the change would be submitted to Montana voters for approval at the November 2026 general election.
This bill revises Montana's cigarette tax from $1.70 to $2.70 per pack of 20 cigarettes and updates related tax provisions for other tobacco products. The changes directly affect wholesalers, retailers, and consumers by increasing the cost of purchasing cigarettes and adjusting tax rates on premium cigars and moist snuff. Key provisions include maintaining a tax exemption system for tribal members on reservations through a quota-based distribution process, requiring wholesalers to obtain department approval before shipping untaxed cigarettes to tribal retailers, and establishing new tax rates of 50% of wholesale price for other tobacco products. The bill also clarifies refund procedures for wholesalers selling to tribal retailers and ensures retailers assume taxes have been paid unless explicitly stated otherwise on invoices.
This bill revises Montana's state income tax calculations by adjusting how federal taxable income is modified to determine state taxable income. It directly affects Montana residents who file state income tax returns, particularly those with complex federal tax situations involving investments, retirement accounts, or business income. The key provision adds certain federal deductions back to income for state tax purposes while subtracting specific Montana-exempt items like interest on U.S. government bonds and military salaries. The bill also clarifies how withdrawals from savings accounts for medical, education, or home purchase purposes are treated differently depending on whether they are used for eligible expenses.
This bill updates Montana's health care proxy laws to give patients more control over who makes medical decisions for them if they become unable to do so. It allows adults to designate a trusted decisionmaker at any time before losing capacity, with healthcare providers required to document this choice and prioritize it over other potential decisionmakers. The legislation establishes a clear hierarchy for selecting decisionmakers, placing patient-designated trusted individuals ahead of family members like spouses and children. Additionally, it expands patient rights to include timely information about how hospitals may limit advance directives and ensures patients can have a support person present during care.
This Montana bill creates a refundable tax credit of up to $300 for taxpayers who purchase a firearm safe, allowing them to claim the full purchase price as a credit against their state income tax. To qualify, the safe must meet specific security standards, including a drill-resistant lock with at least 10,000 combinations, reinforced steel construction, and certification from a nationally recognized testing laboratory. The legislation also adds this new tax credit to a list of other credits that must be reviewed by the revenue interim committee every eight years to assess their effectiveness and impact.
This bill amends Montana's medical marijuana laws to increase the amount of usable marijuana that registered cardholders can possess and purchase. It raises the monthly purchase limit from 1 ounce to 5 ounces and the daily purchase limit from 1 ounce to 5 ounces, while also increasing the possession limit from 1 ounce to 5 ounces. The legislation allows cardholders to request exceptions to the monthly limit with a physician's confirmation that their medical condition requires more marijuana. These changes directly affect registered medical marijuana patients and dispensaries that sell to them, establishing new purchase and possession thresholds within the state's legal framework.
This bill amends Montana's wildlife laws to require that resident hunters be allowed to hunt upland game birds ten days before nonresidents, with the exception of mountain grouse. The change applies to all upland game bird species except blue grouse, spruce grouse, and ruffed grouse, which remain excluded from this priority. The legislation also updates the relevant state code section and sets a delayed effective date of March 1, 2026.
