HB 166 removes the termination dates for two specific financial accounts: the Montana Historical Society Membership Special Revenue Account and the Montana Original Governor's Mansion Special Revenue Account. This action allows these accounts, which support the Montana Historical Society and the Governor's Mansion, to continue operating indefinitely without a previously scheduled end date. The bill achieves this by repealing Section 6, Chapter 423, Laws of 2015, which originally established these termination dates.
House Bill 141 revises Montana's gambling laws to permit certain entities to accept credit cards for raffle entries. Specifically, nonprofit organizations, colleges, universities, and school districts are now allowed to use credit cards when conducting raffles. The bill achieves this by updating the legal definitions of "credit gambling" and "internet gambling" to exempt these specific raffle transactions from prior restrictions. This change enables these designated organizations to offer credit card payment options for their raffles.
HB 201 establishes new disclosure requirements for individuals paid to gather signatures for petitions. These "paid signature gatherers" must verbally inform anyone they approach about their paid status and wear a badge stating this information. Additionally, they are required to disclose the state of their legal residence.
HB 266 revises the annual inflation adjustments for K-12 public school funding in Montana, directly affecting school districts and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. It updates the method for calculating the inflation factor for various school entitlements, using the Consumer Price Index over a three-year period, with an annual cap of 3%. The bill also establishes a new "inflation reconciliation factor" and requires the Superintendent of Public Instruction to submit a biennial report comparing budgeted funding increases with actual inflation. This reconciliation factor will then be incorporated into future funding calculations to ensure base aid accurately reflects inflation.
House Bill 217 transfers the State Building Energy Conservation Program from the Department of Environmental Quality to the Architecture and Engineering Division within the Department of Administration. This means the A&E Division will now manage efforts to identify state-owned buildings for energy savings, conduct energy analyses, and implement improvements. The bill also allows the Department of Environmental Quality to retain certain federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds previously allocated to the program. This change affects state agencies and aims to consolidate the administration of state building energy efficiency.
HB 184 revises various Montana laws to update language pertaining to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. The bill specifically amends multiple sections of the Montana Code Annotated to modify terminology that may diminish the dignity of these individuals. This legislative action aims to ensure more respectful and inclusive language is used throughout state statutes. The changes directly affect the legal framework by updating how individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing are described within Montana law.
HB 269 eliminates the Organic Commodity Advisory Council and revises the state organic certification program, affecting organic producers, processors, and handlers in Montana. Previously, the program's implementation and the council's establishment were contingent on petitions from the organic industry. The revised bill directly establishes a state organic certification program under the Department of Agriculture's administration. The Department is now authorized to adopt rules, must regularly seek input from the organic industry, and is not obligated to continue the program if it fails to meet budget requirements or if private certifiers provide sufficient coverage.
House Bill 226, titled the "Legal Employment and Government Accountability Law," requires employers to verify the legal work authorization of all employees before they start working. Employers must use either the federal E-Verify program or a completed Form I-9 with supporting documents to confirm eligibility. The Department of Labor and Industry is authorized to enforce this law through investigations, audits, and rulemaking. Non-compliance can lead to civil penalties, including fines for each individual employed in violation and potential suspension of business licenses for repeat offenses. A dedicated state special revenue fund will collect these penalties to support the law's implementation and administration.
HB 251 revises laws concerning public charter schools, establishing a definition for "public charter school district" to clarify its governing authority as a non-taxing entity. The bill requires the Office of Public Instruction to provide a fiscal analysis for charter school applications and mandates the Board of Public Education to limit costs for new schools, prioritizing those emphasizing personalized and proficiency-based learning. It removes the Board of Public Education's authority to waive statutory requirements in charter contracts. Additionally, the bill allows public charter school districts to receive other forms of public funding and donations, and defines financial obligations for a child's resident school district when serving students with disabilities.
HB 208 grants municipalities the authority to regulate unauthorized occupancy or camping on public property and facilities within their jurisdiction. The bill amends existing state law to add this specific power to the general list of capabilities for municipalities. This allows local governments to prohibit or otherwise control unauthorized use of their public lands and buildings. The legislation directly affects municipal governments by expanding their regulatory powers and impacts individuals who may occupy or camp on these public properties without authorization.
HB 180 revises sanitation laws for subdivisions, focusing on "mixing zones" associated with subsurface wastewater treatment systems. The bill prohibits local boards of health from adopting regulations that would allow these mixing zones, which are areas where treated wastewater mixes with groundwater, to extend onto adjacent properties. This measure restricts the regulatory authority of local health boards and aims to protect adjacent property owners from encroachment by neighboring septic systems. It ensures that the environmental impact of such systems remains within the boundaries of the property where they are installed.
HB 193, titled "Require signature for voter registration cancellation," amends Section 13-2-402 of the Montana Code Annotated. This bill mandates that a voter's registration can only be canceled if the elector provides a signed written request. The change directly affects voters and election administrators by ensuring that any voter-initiated cancellation requires explicit written consent.
