SB 457 revises the enforcement of legislative subpoenas by establishing a procedure for the legislature to address non-compliance. It allows either house or its committees to certify a witness or person for criminal contempt if they fail to appear or produce subpoenaed records. This certification occurs through a resolution while the legislature is in session, or through a poll of members when not in session. Once certified, the matter is referred to the attorney general for prosecution. The bill creates a new misdemeanor offense of criminal contempt of the legislature, punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both.
SB 444 revises criminal procedure laws related to search warrants. It amends existing law to require law enforcement officers to show a search warrant to a known lawful occupant of a property when a search is being conducted. This change ensures that occupants present during a search are directly presented with the warrant. The bill maintains the requirement for officers to provide a copy of the warrant and a receipt for any seized property.
SB 70 revises laws related to conditions of probation and parole supervision. The bill allows a probation and parole officer to remove a condition of supervision without a formal court hearing if the sentencing court, probationer, or county attorney does not object. This change requires the Department of Corrections to notify victims when such a condition is removed. It streamlines the process for adjusting probation conditions, directly affecting individuals under supervision, probation officers, and victims.
Senate Bill 330 creates the Montana Blockchain and Digital Innovation Task Force, administered by the Department of Administration. This task force will consist of state officials, legislators, and individuals with expertise in blockchain, cryptocurrency, financial technology, or digital innovation. Its primary duties include developing knowledge in these areas and recommending policies to promote their adoption, foster partnerships, and regulate them within Montana. The task force is required to report its findings by July 1, 2026, and will terminate on December 31, 2026.
SB 373 revises Montana's lien enforcement process under Section 71-3-1203, MCA, primarily affecting contractors, suppliers, and property owners. It eliminates the need for a traditional summons when enforcing liens, replacing it with an "order to show cause" that requires 21 days' written notice to the property owner before a hearing. The bill also adds specific affidavit requirements for lienors to detail services performed, property location, and unpaid charges, and clarifies procedures for sheriff's sales of property to satisfy liens. These changes aim to standardize and streamline lien enforcement while specifying court and service requirements.
SB 328 revises the deadline for appealing a decision made by a county tax appeal board to the Montana Tax Appeal Board. The bill affects taxpayers, the Department of Revenue, and municipal corporations involved in property tax appeals. It amends existing law to calculate the 30-calendar-day appeal window solely from the date the county board mails its decision. This change removes the option to calculate the deadline based on the date the decision is received, providing a single, consistent starting point for the appeal period.
SB 360 revises election laws by updating and reordering several definitions within the state's legal code, primarily in Section 13-1-101. The bill renumbers existing definitions related to elections, such as "active elector" and "anything of value." Consequently, it updates a cross-reference in Section 2-2-121, which outlines rules of conduct for public officers and employees regarding the use of state funds by candidates. This ensures that the rules for public officers and candidates correctly point to the newly renumbered definition of "candidate."
SB 194 eliminates the Board of Public Assistance and revises the process for appealing public assistance claims in Montana. Under this bill, individuals seeking to appeal decisions related to food stamps, cash assistance, or Medicaid will now direct their requests for a fair hearing to the relevant department, rather than the Board. The Board of Public Assistance will remain operational to resolve all appeals filed before the bill's effective date, with its full repeal scheduled for October 1, 2025.
Senate Bill 107 revises education laws to incorporate human trafficking prevention. It establishes a new legislative goal for Montana's public elementary and secondary schools to support instruction on preventing and avoiding child sex trafficking and human trafficking. The bill also requires the Office of Public Instruction to undertake activities to educate Montanans and prevent these issues. These activities include providing educational resources, coordinating with law enforcement, and assisting school districts in developing policies and curricula.
SB 27 revises Montana's marijuana business licensing laws, impacting individuals and businesses seeking to enter or expand within the state's cannabis industry. The bill removes a previous moratorium that restricted new licenses primarily to those with medical marijuana licenses prior to 2021, allowing new applicants to participate. However, it establishes a new moratorium until 2027, preventing the Department of Revenue from issuing licenses for new dispensary locations. Additionally, existing licensees are prohibited from adding new licensed premises.
SB 344 revises the process for how a governor's vetoed bill and message are officially delivered to the legislature when it is in session. The bill specifies that delivery must be made to either the chief clerk of the house or the secretary of the senate. Delivery is considered complete when these officials physically receive the bill and message, and a time-stamped, dated receipt is attached. This change aims to clarify and formalize the record of veto receipt for legislative action.
HB 270 revises the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) by modifying requirements for environmental reviews conducted by state agencies. The bill clarifies that MEPA is procedural and not intended to provide regulatory authority beyond existing statutes. It updates the criteria for analyzing alternatives in environmental impact statements, requiring them to be technologically achievable and economically feasible for similar projects. Furthermore, the bill mandates that agencies consider regulatory impacts on private property rights and analyze alternatives that reduce or eliminate such regulations. For non-state-sponsored projects, alternative recommendations are not binding on the project sponsor.
