HB 608, titled "Revise THC regulatory laws," proposed requiring Montana's Cannabis Control Division to regulate all THC-containing products, including testing, licensing, distribution, sales, and taxation. It aimed to clarify definitions for terms like "THC products," "adult-use dispensary," and "controlling beneficial owner" by amending Montana Code Annotated sections 16-12-102 and 16-12-112. The bill would have directly affected THC product businesses, dispensaries, and consumers purchasing such products. However, the bill was withdrawn on February 28, 2025, per House Rule H30-50(3)(b), before becoming law.
HB 507 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow Montana to implement a 4% statewide sales tax (and use tax) specifically to reduce property taxes funding K-12 public schools. If approved by voters, this tax revenue would replace some local property tax funding for schools, directly affecting Montana taxpayers and public school districts. The bill requires a two-thirds legislative vote for passage and voter approval in the November 2026 election, with an effective date of July 1, 2027 if adopted. The bill was withdrawn by the House on February 27, 2025, per procedural rules, and did not advance further.
HB 417, the Montana Hunters First Act, would have required the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to study how nonresident hunters impact deer and elk hunting in Montana, including analyzing hunting pressure on public lands, license sales, and population trends. It would have mandated that all hunters report their game harvests before purchasing next year's license, with rules developed by the department. The study and report were to be completed by December 1, 2026, with the reporting requirement taking effect March 1, 2026. However, the bill was withdrawn on February 27, 2025, and never became law.
HB 596 would exempt certain individuals or entities providing irregular garbage cleanup and transportation services from needing a Class D motor carrier license. Specifically, it allows one-time or irregular service providers (e.g., for specific cleanup jobs with agreed-upon rates between locations) to operate without this license, provided they do not use vehicles requiring a commercial driver's license. The bill directly affects small-scale cleanup businesses or contractors offering occasional trash removal, not regular waste haulers. This change would simplify regulatory requirements for short-term, non-recurring trash transportation services.
HB 294 would have transferred administration of Montana's Adult Basic Education Fund from the Office of Public Instruction to the Department of Labor and Industry. This change would affect adult education programs in school districts, community colleges, tribal colleges, public libraries, and community organizations across Montana by shifting which state agency manages fund distribution. The bill amended existing law to specify the Department of Labor and Industry as the distributor of these funds, while adding a requirement to notify Montana's federally recognized tribal governments. The bill was withdrawn on February 25, 2025, and did not become law.
HB 282 would have amended Montana's tuition waiver law to require tribal certification for descendants of federally recognized tribes seeking tuition waivers. Specifically, it would have added a requirement that descendants provide a certificate of descendancy issued by their tribe to qualify for waivers under Section 20-25-421(2)(c)(i). This change would directly affect American Indian students who are descendants of Montana tribes but not enrolled members, as they would need formal tribal verification to access the waiver. The bill was withdrawn before becoming law on February 22, 2025.
HB 559, which was withdrawn on February 21, 2025, proposed establishing two weekly "commercial fishing, guiding, and outfitting-free days" on specific Montana rivers (including the Bitterroot, Clark Fork, Madison, and Yellowstone) between May 30 and Labor Day. It would have required the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to designate stretches of these rivers where commercial operations are prohibited on two days weekly (one must be Saturday), aiming to reduce overcrowding. The bill directly affected commercial fishing outfitters, guides, and recreational users by altering access during peak summer months. Rulemaking was required by May 15, 2026, but the bill was withdrawn before committee action.
HB 124 would have required most bicycle riders on Montana roadways to travel *opposite* the direction of traffic flow, unless accompanied by a flag vehicle escort. This would have directly affected all cyclists riding on public roads without an escort, changing the standard practice of riding with traffic. The bill’s key provision would have mandated opposite-flow riding (facing oncoming vehicles) for unescorted cyclists, while allowing with-flow riding when a flag vehicle was present. It also aimed to repeal two existing Montana Code sections about bicycle traffic laws (61-8-602 and 61-8-605). Note: The bill was withdrawn on February 20, 2025, and is no longer active.
HB 570 requires Montana state-funded airports to provide free landing, taxiing, parking (up to 7 days), and security access for "light aircraft" (defined as aircraft under 12,500 pounds operating under standard FAA rules). It mandates that airports allow access through security fencing with designated parking for at least four vehicles. The bill prohibits additional fees for these services unless clearly posted and agreed to before flights. The bill was introduced in February 2025 but withdrawn before committee review.
HB 23 would change the date used to count student enrollment for school funding calculations in Montana. Specifically, it moves the spring enrollment count from the first Monday in February to the first Monday in January. This adjustment directly affects public school districts, as the updated enrollment count would determine their state funding levels under the average number belonging (ANB) formula. The bill does not alter funding formulas or student eligibility rules, only the timing of one enrollment measurement.
HB 425 would have made Montana peace officers financially responsible for property damage or injuries to occupants when they illegally enter a building during a search or pursuit. Specifically, it applied if officers entered the wrong dwelling per a warrant, pursued a suspect into a non-suspect's building, or caused a hostage situation while apprehending someone. The bill aimed to directly affect law enforcement officers and residents of buildings where such incidents occurred. However, the bill was withdrawn on February 19, 2025, before becoming law.
HB 529 revises Montana's procedures for enforcing liens, which are claims by contractors, suppliers, or laborers for unpaid work or materials on property. It eliminates the need for a summons in lien enforcement cases, replacing it with an "order to show cause" that must be served on the property owner at least 21 days before a hearing via certified and first-class mail. The bill requires lienors to submit specific documents, including an affidavit detailing the work performed and an itemized list of unpaid charges, to support their claim. These changes streamline court filings, notices, and the sale process for property to satisfy outstanding liens.
