This bill revises Montana's ground water laws by establishing temporary legislative controlled areas where new water permits are required for specific aquifers in the Gallatin, Helena, Bitterroot, and Missoula valleys. It creates exceptions allowing small water uses without permits, such as single-family homes without public water access and limited stockwater, while mandating metering and annual reporting for all new water rights in these zones. The legislation also designates Flathead and Billings aquifers as monitoring areas requiring regular data review to assess water use changes. Additionally, the bill grants the state water department broader rulemaking authority to manage interim permits and implement necessary regulations for water appropriation.
This bill exempts state and local building departments from conducting greenhouse gas emissions analyses for certain appliances, vehicles, and engines under Montana's environmental review process. The exemption applies to products regulated by federal laws that preempt state authority, such as those governed by the Clean Air Act and Energy Policy and Conservation Act, as well as emissions originating outside Montana's borders. By removing these specific sources from environmental review requirements, the bill clarifies that state agencies do not need to assess greenhouse gas impacts for items where federal law already establishes national standards. The legislation also provides instructions for codifying these exemptions into existing state environmental statutes.
This bill amends Montana law to clarify how local authorities and county commissioners can set speed limits on roads within their jurisdiction. It allows local officials to adjust speed limits based on engineering and traffic studies, with specific rules for urban areas, rural roads, school zones, and senior citizen centers. County commissioners can set limits on county roads without requiring a formal engineering study, while local authorities must consult with school officials when establishing school zones. The bill also clarifies that variable speed limits are permitted if they comply with existing state regulations and that violations of these limits remain misdemeanor offenses.
This bill revises Montana's laws regarding intoxicating products by prohibiting the consumption of unregulated beverages or products that alter mental or physical states, making it a misdemeanor to use such items. It places hemp products under the regulation of the Department of Revenue and amends existing definitions to clarify terms like "adult-use dispensary," "cultivator," and "debilitating medical condition" for medical marijuana purposes. The legislation also establishes specific ownership thresholds for beneficial owners in marijuana businesses and updates the list of qualifying medical conditions for patients seeking medical marijuana access.
This Montana bill revises laws governing chemical abortion by establishing specific requirements for health care providers and imposing penalties for violations. It mandates that providers physically examine patients, be present during administration, schedule follow-up visits within seven days, and supply catch kits for proper disposal of medical waste. The legislation also holds drug manufacturers financially responsible for cleaning up wastewater contaminated by endocrine-disrupting chemicals from at-home abortions. While the bill imposes felony penalties on providers who fail to meet these conditions, it includes exceptions for procedures necessary to preserve a mother's life and does not allow prosecution of patients.
This bill requires Montana public agencies to keep electronic communications from former employees for at least one year after their employment ends. It applies to all public employees using agency-provided email accounts, excluding constitutional officers and public officers. The law establishes specific committees that must approve retention schedules and designate minimum retention periods for employee emails, ensuring records are not deleted before the required time. These committees include representatives from state agencies, the attorney general, and the Montana historical society for state-level records, with similar oversight for local governments. The changes update multiple sections of Montana's records management code to enforce these retention requirements.
This bill prohibits non-citizens and foreign entities from owning real property in Montana, affecting anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or whose business is based outside the country. It requires violators to sell their property within six months, after which a county sheriff may auction it at public sale. The attorney general or local county attorney can enforce the law by filing a lawsuit, and the restrictions apply only to property purchased on or after January 1, 2026.
This bill revises Montana laws governing service area authorities, which are local organizations that oversee mental health services. It requires the state Department of Public Health to support the creation of at least three service area authorities and provide them with annual contracts covering administrative costs, meetings, and various support services. The legislation also mandates that these authorities include significant representation from people with lived experience of mental illness and their families, and establishes clear reporting and planning requirements for how these organizations operate and collaborate with the state.
This bill prohibits individuals from serving as precinct committee representatives for more than one political party during the same two-year term. It directly affects political parties and the voters who serve as precinct committee representatives in Montana. The key provision amends existing law to explicitly state that a person cannot hold committee representative positions for multiple parties simultaneously, while maintaining the existing rules for how parties appoint or elect these representatives. The bill also preserves current procedures for handling vacancies, tie votes, and write-in candidates for these positions.
This bill updates Montana's block management program, which allows private landowners to partner with the state to provide public hunting access in exchange for financial assistance. It gives the Fish and Wildlife Commission authority to create simplified rules for agreements that only grant access to adjacent public lands, allowing for flat-rate payments instead of tracking individual hunting days. The legislation also clarifies how landowners can receive direct payments for specific services like weed control, fire protection, and insurance costs, while maintaining a $50,000 annual payment cap for most agreements. Additionally, the bill preserves existing liability protections for landowners who participate in the program.
This bill requires public higher education institutions in Montana to reimburse students for medical costs related to COVID-19 vaccinations if the student develops certain health conditions. To receive payment, students must submit proof of vaccination, a medical diagnosis of specific conditions like myocarditis or Guillain-Barre syndrome, and documentation of their medical expenses. The law applies to students who attended these institutions after January 20, 2020, and covers both treatment costs and lost wages due to vaccine-related illnesses.
This bill revises Montana laws to require state and local correctional facilities to provide free hygiene and stationery products to incarcerated individuals upon request. The key provisions mandate that facilities supply items such as soap, toilet paper, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, and writing materials, while also requiring the development of policies to ensure these products are accessible to all inmates, including those in restricted areas. Additionally, the bill updates the powers of the Department of Corrections to include specific rules for prerelease centers, treatment facilities, and residential methamphetamine programs, as well as data tracking for individuals discharged into homelessness. These changes aim to improve health, safety, and basic living conditions within correctional facilities while clarifying the department's operational responsibilities.
