HB 525 aimed to revise laws concerning nicotine vapor products, directly affecting manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers by regulating their sale and distribution. The bill would have established a directory, maintained by the Attorney General, listing nicotine vapor products approved for sale in the state. Manufacturers of these products would have been required to annually certify that their products meet federal FDA marketing authorization standards, such as having a granted marketing order or a pending application. This certification would involve submitting product details and paying fees, with products not listed in the directory prohibited from sale.
HB 619 establishes the Uniform Common Interest Ownership Act, creating a comprehensive legal framework for the formation and operation of common interest communities, including condominiums, cooperatives, and planned communities. The bill outlines rules for how these communities are governed, addressing elements like property acquisition, common element allocation, and development rights. It defines the organization, powers, and duties of unit owners associations, while also providing protections for purchasers. The act includes transition processes for existing communities and amends or repeals several current state laws related to property ownership.
House Joint Resolution 5 (HJ 5) is a resolution from the Montana Legislature applying to the U.S. Congress to call a convention of the states under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. This convention would be limited to proposing amendments that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit its power and jurisdiction, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. The resolution directs the Montana Secretary of State to transmit this application to federal and state legislative bodies. This application is considered ongoing until two-thirds of state legislatures have submitted similar applications on the same subjects.
HB 160 sought to repeal a state law that currently prevents local governments from regulating auxiliary containers. The bill proposed to remove the statewide prohibition on local government control over the use, disposition, sale, or fees related to auxiliary containers. If passed, this would have allowed individual local government units to enact their own ordinances concerning these items within their jurisdictions.
HB 798 proposes a constitutional amendment to repeal Article XIII, Section 7 of the Montana Constitution. This section currently prohibits same-sex marriage, so its repeal would remove this specific ban. If passed by the legislature with a two-thirds vote, the proposed amendment would then be put before Montana's voters in the November 2026 general election for their approval. If approved by the electorate, the change would take effect on January 1, 2027, directly impacting same-sex couples seeking to marry in Montana.
This bill creates a new Technology Interim Committee to oversee Montana's state information technology systems and review related legislation. The committee would examine long-term technology spending, evaluate how new laws apply to technology across state agencies, and monitor best practices to protect citizens' digital information. It also requires agencies to prepare detailed summaries of major technology purchases and budget requests before they are approved. The bill amends existing laws to formally establish this committee and update the list of interim committees that operate when the legislature is not in session.
HB 875 would require Montana state agencies to award public works contracts to the lowest responsible bidder without regard to residency, while allowing Montana resident bidders a preference equal to preferences given to residents in other states that favor local bidders. The bill specifies that this preference does not apply if a bidder has failed to perform on prior contracts, requested excessive extensions, or neglected warranty work. In such cases, the contract could be canceled and awarded to the second lowest bidder. These provisions would apply to all public works contracts, including those using federal funds unless federal law prohibits it.
HB 934 establishes the Senior and Long-Term Care Home and Community-Based Services Access and Stabilization Act to address waiting lists for aged and disabled Montanans. It requires the Department of Public Health and Human Services to shift assisted living services from the Big Sky Waiver program to the lower-cost Community First Choice Option program by 2026, using resulting savings to serve over 300 people currently waiting for services. The bill mandates specific annual adjustments to room and board costs (e.g., tying payments to Supplemental Security Income minus $200 personal needs funds) and requires quarterly reports on program waitlists, costs, and service numbers. It appropriates $56,000 for implementation staff and includes a contingent voidness clause if federal approval is denied. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 865 allows Montana cities and counties to create a "large taxpayer reserve account" by depositing 10% of revenue from newly taxable property (excluding class four) into the fund. This money can only be used if a major taxpayer (top 20% by value) leaves or experiences a 25%+ drop in property value, to pay for capital projects, reduce mill levies for affected areas, attract new businesses, or fund infrastructure. The bill also adjusts how local governments calculate property tax levies by changing the percentage of new property value that counts toward tax limits. The bill was withdrawn on March 29, 2025, after committee hearings.
HB 519 would repeal a law that gave nonresident landowners (people who own Montana land but live outside the state) a special preference for big game hunting licenses (Class B-10). Currently, nonresidents can buy "preference points" for $100 each to improve their odds of securing a license, and landowners had an additional advantage under the repealed section. The bill removes this landowner preference, meaning all nonresidents would compete under the same preference point system. The change would take effect March 1, 2026, directly affecting nonresident landowners who currently benefit from the preference.
HB 774 would require Montana Medicaid and commercial health insurance plans to provide equal coverage for FDA-approved nonopioid pain medications compared to opioid medications. The bill prohibits insurers from disadvantaging nonopioid drugs through formulary placement (like higher cost-sharing tiers) or more restrictive prior authorization requirements than for opioids. It also mandates that healthcare providers can request exceptions to coverage restrictions for nonopioid drugs when they determine such drugs are appropriate for a patient. This law aims to ensure patients have full access to pain management options without insurance barriers.
HB 820, a proposed bill withdrawn on March 1, 2025, would have required Montana University System campuses to provide free on-campus parking permits to veteran and Montana National Guard service member faculty, staff, and students. It mandated that universities not charge parking fees for these individuals, give them preference in permit allocation, and require proof of service to qualify. The bill would have applied directly to eligible individuals at all Montana public universities, with university presidents allowed to establish specific implementation rules. This proposal never became law, as it was withdrawn before final action.
