HB 101 reclassifies gray wolves as furbearers, integrating them into existing furbearer hunting and trapping regulations. The bill establishes specific wolf hunting licenses for residents and nonresidents, outlining associated fees and tagging requirements for harvested wolves. It introduces new management provisions, allowing for more liberal harvest opportunities such as multiple licenses per individual, the use of bait for trapping, and night hunting on private lands. Additionally, the bill permits landowners to take wolves threatening human safety, livestock, or dogs on their property without a license under specific reporting requirements and a quota.
HB 152 revises election laws concerning county attorney retention elections. If an incumbent county attorney is the only candidate for the office, the general election ballot would not include a nonpartisan designation or a write-in space. Instead, the ballot would present a question asking voters if the named incumbent county attorney should be retained for another term. Voters would then indicate a "yes" or "no" vote. This change directly affects how voters cast their ballots for unchallenged incumbent county attorneys.
HB 877, known as the "Montana Data Center Development Act," aims to encourage the development of data centers and other large electricity consumers in Montana. The bill clarifies the Public Service Commission's (PSC) role, stating it cannot prevent a regulated public utility from serving new large customers established after October 1, 2007, with an average monthly demand of 5,000 kilowatts or more. It allows the PSC to establish tariffs and regulatory processes for these services. Additionally, the bill appropriates $50,000 to market Montana as a data center location and assist developers in acquiring electrical generation resources.
HB 200 proposes to increase the total amount of film tax credits available annually under the Montana Economic Development Industry Advancement (MEDIA) Act. The bill would raise the yearly cap on these tax credits from $12 million to $350 million. This change directly affects film production companies and related businesses that qualify for and claim these tax credits in Montana. The Department of Commerce grants authorization for these credits, which are then claimed on a first-come, first-served basis. This increase would apply to income tax years starting after December 31, 2024.
House Joint Resolution 21 (HJ 21) is a resolution from the Montana State Legislature requesting the United States Congress and federal Executive Branch to secure and strengthen Social Security. The resolution asks the federal government to increase Social Security funding without making any cuts to benefits. This action is intended to ensure Social Security benefits are secure for current and future generations for the next 75 years and beyond. It highlights Social Security's importance to over 250,000 Montanans, including retirees, survivors, and individuals receiving disability benefits.
House Bill 172 revises the process for prioritizing highway construction and reconstruction projects. It requires the Transportation Interim Committee to prepare a joint resolution for each legislative session, recommending specific projects for the Transportation Commission to prioritize. The bill also mandates that the Transportation Commission report biennially to the committee on the status of these recommended projects, explaining any reasons why a project was not prioritized. The Department of Transportation is tasked with assisting the Commission in considering these legislative recommendations.
HB 319 aimed to prohibit employers from requiring employees to attend training sessions related to "controversial social vision." The bill defined "controversial social vision" as any agenda, concept, or theory not broadly accepted in society or that generates strong opposition from mainstream political, religious, or social groups. Additionally, it sought to amend election law to prevent an elector's employer, an agent of the employer, or a union officer from being designated as an agent for a disabled elector.
House Joint Resolution 16 (HJ 16) is a resolution where the Montana Legislature recognizes the economic benefits that renewable energy projects have brought to the state. It expresses the Legislature's support for the future responsible development of new renewable energy projects in Montana. Copies of this resolution are to be sent to the Governor, the Montana Public Service Commission, the Montana Rural Electric Cooperatives' Association, and the Montana Congressional Delegation.
This bill would have established an income tax credit for individuals and corporations in Montana who make cash contributions to qualified community improvement organizations. These organizations are defined as tax-exempt groups with no paid staff that raise or distribute funds to support public facilities owned by the state or local government. The credit amount would be equal to the contribution, capped at the lesser of 10% of taxable income or $3,000, and could be carried forward for three years. An aggregate statewide limit on the total amount of credits claimed annually would have been set, starting at $2 million in 2026 and potentially increasing in subsequent years, requiring preapproval from the Department.
HB 644 would have allowed counties, with written permission from the Department of Revenue, to employ their own certified property appraisers for property tax purposes. Appraisals conducted by these county appraisers would then be used by the Department of Revenue when certifying taxable values. The bill also updated existing regulations regarding property valuation staff's entry onto private land for appraisals, extending these rules to county appraisers and affirming landowners' rights to be present. If a landowner denied entry, the property's value could be estimated, and appeals would require granting access or providing an independent certified appraisal.
HB 470 aimed to revise laws concerning mortgages and false advertising by prohibiting the use of "trigger leads." The bill sought to define what constitutes a trigger lead and categorize its use as a form of false and deceptive advertising, in part to prevent identity theft. It would have granted the Banking Commissioner authority to regulate these leads. This legislation directly affected mortgage lenders and advertisers by restricting certain marketing practices and aimed to protect consumers from potentially deceptive solicitations.
HB 439, "Creating sheriffs' first initiative for cooperation and communication," aimed to regulate arrests, searches, and seizures conducted by federal employees and agents in Montana. The bill would have required federal personnel, unless designated as state peace officers, to obtain written permission from the county sheriff before making an arrest, search, or seizure. It provided exceptions for situations like operations on federal land or when an immediate arrest for a witnessed crime was necessary. For some exceptions, permission from the state attorney general would have been required. The bill also allowed county sheriffs discretion on whether to implement these provisions and declared federal laws granting federal employees sheriff-like authority invalid in the state.
