HB 452 creates a new specific criminal offense for assaulting an employee of a public utility. The bill defines different levels of assault, including causing bodily injury, causing serious bodily injury, or creating reasonable apprehension of serious bodily injury with a weapon. It establishes distinct penalties for these offenses, which include imprisonment terms ranging from 8 to 20 years and fines up to $50,000, depending on the severity of the assault. This legislation aims to provide specific legal consequences for acts of violence against individuals working for public utilities.
HB 500 aimed to revise laws related to chiropractic practitioners in Montana. The bill sought to establish a new license endorsement, allowing chiropractors who obtain it to prescribe certain noncontrolled, nonscheduled drugs like muscle relaxants and NSAIDs for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The Board of Chiropractors would have been responsible for setting the educational qualifications and protocols for this prescriptive authority. Additionally, the bill proposed that chiropractic services be included as part of the Montana Medicaid program.
HB 552 revises Montana's workers' compensation laws to include coverage for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This bill directly affects first responders, such as firefighters, law enforcement officers, dispatchers, and employees of county detention centers or prisons. For a claim to be compensable, the PTSD must be diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and be caused by events arising out of their employment, excluding personnel-related actions. This creates an exception for first responders' PTSD claims within the state's existing policy that generally excludes stress claims from workers' compensation.
HB 797, also known as the "Expanding Physician Access Act," aims to revise occupational licensing laws to facilitate the licensure of international physicians. The bill establishes a process for the board to grant provisional licenses to international physicians who meet specific educational, examination, and experience requirements, and have an employment offer from a healthcare provider in the state. These provisional licenses automatically convert to full licenses after three years of continuous active practice in the state. This initiative seeks to remove barriers for internationally licensed physicians to fill vacancies, particularly in rural and primary care settings, while maintaining existing standards of care and licensing requirements.
HB 862 was a legislative bill intended to implement specific provisions of the General Appropriations Act. It directed the state treasurer to transfer $100 from the state's general fund to the fire suppression account. This transfer was scheduled to take place by July 1, 2025. The bill directly affected state finances by reallocating a small sum between these two designated accounts.
HB 379 proposed changes to how state lands are leased for commercial purposes and sold. For commercial leases, the bill would have eliminated public auction requirements, allowing the state department to negotiate individual agreements with lessees. It also redefined "commercial purpose" and clarified rules for improvements on leased land. Regarding the sale of state land, the bill shifted the process from public auctions to public sales, where offers would be accepted over a designated period instead of at a single event, and updated notice procedures for these sales. These revisions would have affected individuals and businesses seeking to lease or purchase state trust lands.
HB 583 aimed to revise the powers and duties of the State Lottery and Sports Wagering Commission. The bill proposed to grant the commission new authority to provide input and approve all procurement decisions for vendor contracts used in the operation of the state lottery. This change would have expanded the commission's oversight role over the state lottery's vendor selection processes.
HB 887 was a legislative bill designed to provide property tax assistance for owners of primary residences. The bill proposed to fund this relief by redirecting a portion of the state's lodging tax revenue. It aimed to amend existing statutes governing the distribution of these lodging tax proceeds. While the bill's intent was to reallocate lodging tax funds for property tax relief, the provided text does not detail the specific changes or mechanisms for how these funds would be redirected.
HB 216 requires the Fish and Wildlife Commission to establish rules for issuing deer and elk hunting licenses. These licenses would be available to private landowners whose property is within the exterior boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation. The licenses would only be valid for hunting on the land owned by the license holder within the reservation. The bill also directs the department to pursue an agreement with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes to transfer revenue from these license sales to the tribal council.
HB 366 proposed to appropriate a total of $5 million from the state's general fund to the Department of Justice over two fiscal years, starting July 1, 2025. This funding was intended to reimburse Lake County. The reimbursement was for the county's role in assuming felony criminal jurisdiction over members of federally recognized tribes and the Indian territory of the Flathead Indian reservation, a responsibility undertaken due to Public Law 280. The bill indicated that this appropriation was meant to be an ongoing part of the state budget until Montana ends its participation in Public Law 280.
HB 149 aimed to revise the laws governing alternative nicotine and vapor products, separating their regulations from traditional tobacco products. The bill would have required retailers of these products to obtain an annual state license and pay a fee. It prohibited the sale of alternative nicotine and vapor products to individuals under 18 years of age and mandated that all retail sales occur in locations that restrict entry to those under 18. The proposed legislation also outlined restrictions for vending machine sales and established civil penalties, including fines and license suspensions, for non-compliance.
HB 290 aimed to regulate products containing Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) within the state. Starting January 1, 2028, it would prohibit the manufacture, sale, or offer for sale of cosmetics, juvenile products, and menstrual products that contain intentionally added PFAS. Manufacturers would be required to provide a certificate of compliance for these products. Additionally, the bill would prohibit the use of class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS for training purposes from January 1, 2028, and regulate its emergency use at terminals, requiring annual notice and justification to the state fire marshal.
