HB 479 sought to require all candidates for public office in Montana to disclose their citizenship status. Under this bill, individuals filing a declaration for nomination or a declaration of intent as a write-in candidate would have been required to state if they hold citizenship in any country other than the United States or are a member of a federally recognized Indian tribe. If applicable, candidates would also need to list their other country or countries of citizenship. This citizenship information would then be made publicly available online by the Secretary of State.
House Bill 138 aimed to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Board of Public Education in Montana. The bill specified that the Superintendent is required to carry out directives issued by the Board of Public Education, particularly those related to the board's constitutional authority to supervise the public school system. It also reaffirmed a comprehensive list of other duties performed by the Superintendent, such as teacher certification, school budgeting oversight, and administering various educational programs. This bill sought to define the hierarchical relationship and operational duties between these two key state education offices.
HB 829 aimed to update laws concerning aquatic invasive species management. It would have required individuals to complete a state-provided online awareness training course and pass a test before obtaining an aquatic invasive species prevention pass. The bill clarified that all vessel operators, including non-resident non-motorized vessels, must possess this pass to launch on state waters. Additionally, it would have increased the maximum civil penalty for certain violations related to aquatic invasive species from $2,500 to $25,000.
House Bill 188 would revise the process for appointing members to legislative interim committees. It requires the Speaker of the House to appoint House interim committee members with advice from the Minority Leader. The bill mandates that the total number of members appointed from each chamber to these committees must reflect the partisan makeup of that chamber, and no interim committee may have a majority of its members from the minority party. Additionally, it revises the specific membership composition of the Environmental Quality Council to align with these new partisan appointment rules.
HB 878 proposes to increase the funding available for housing loans for low-income and moderate-income individuals in Montana. It authorizes the Board of Housing to administer an additional $50 million, raising its total from $65 million to $115 million, from the permanent coal tax trust fund. These funds are specifically designated for providing loans to develop and preserve homes and apartments for eligible persons. The bill also outlines project requirements, such as loans being for multifamily rental housing projects and adhering to specific interest rate guidelines.
HB 724 proposes to change the date of the primary election held in even-numbered years in Montana. Currently, these primary elections occur on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June. This bill would shift that date earlier, moving the primary election to the third Tuesday in May. This change directly affects all eligible voters and candidates participating in primary elections throughout the state. It also requires the secretary of state to notify federally recognized tribal governments about the change.
House Bill 371 aimed to prohibit the administration of gene-based vaccines, including those using messenger RNA (mRNA) or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) technology, to humans within the state of Montana. The bill proposed that anyone providing or administering such a vaccine would be guilty of a misdemeanor, facing a $500 fine for each incident. It also required the relevant licensure board to review the license of any professional who violated this prohibition. This legislation would directly affect healthcare providers and individuals seeking these specific types of vaccines in Montana.
House Bill 879 proposes a legislative study in Montana to examine the economic impacts of federal government actions on the state's citizens, local and tribal governments, businesses, and institutions. The Legislative Finance Committee would conduct this study during the 2025-2026 legislative interim period. It would specifically investigate the effects of federal directives issued since January 20, 2025, including changes in federal funding, the impact of tariffs, and reductions in the federal workforce within Montana. The committee would be required to deliver preliminary findings by January 1, 2026, and a final report by September 1, 2026, to various state and tribal entities.
HB 522 aimed to establish new laws regarding pesticide warning labels and liability. It placed a duty on manufacturers, marketers, distributors, retailers, and sellers of pesticides to warn consumers and the public about associated risks. This duty would be considered satisfied if the pesticide's label was approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under federal law and the pesticide was registered with both the EPA and the state's department of agriculture. Under these conditions, liability for failing to warn would not arise. The bill would apply to legal actions that originate after its effective date.
HB 298 revises local election laws concerning the approval or disapproval of marijuana businesses, primarily impacting municipalities and their residents. The bill proposes that a municipal election to allow or prohibit marijuana businesses may only be held in municipalities with a population greater than 5,000 people. This change would restrict smaller municipalities from holding their own elections on whether to permit various categories of marijuana businesses within their limits. It also clarifies how county-level elections on marijuana businesses interact with municipalities located within those counties.
HB 748 sought to revise the marijuana possession and purchase limits for registered medical marijuana cardholders in Montana. The bill proposed increasing the amount of usable marijuana a cardholder could possess from 1 ounce to 5 ounces. It also aimed to raise both the maximum monthly and daily purchase limits for these cardholders from 1 ounce to 5 ounces. The legislation maintained the existing process for cardholders to petition for an exception to the monthly limit if confirmed by their physician.
HB 489, titled the "Local Option Property Tax Relief Act," would have allowed consolidated city-counties or counties to implement a local sales tax. This tax, requiring voter approval and capped at 4%, would apply to specific goods and services, excluding items like medical supplies and SNAP-eligible food products. The revenue generated from this local option tax would be specifically used to provide property tax relief for primary residences and long-term rental properties. A portion of the revenue would also be distributed to local governments that do not levy the tax.
