HB 914 proposes to revise the allocation of state lodging facility use taxes. It establishes two new state special revenue accounts: one for county roads and infrastructure and another for municipal roads and infrastructure. A portion of the lodging tax proceeds would be transferred to these accounts and statutorily appropriated for annual distribution to local governments. Funds would be distributed to counties based on the amount of tax collected, with minimum and maximum caps, and to cities and towns primarily based on population, also with a maximum cap. These funds are designated for the construction, maintenance, and repair of local roads and other infrastructure, as well as marketing projects.
House Bill 814 aimed to reorganize elementary and high school districts into K-12 school districts across the state. It intended for these K-12 districts to be formed within existing high school district boundaries by July 1, 2029. The bill mandated county superintendents to collaborate with school district officials to develop a reorganization plan for their county. These plans, which included existing district details, enrollment data, and financial concerns, were to be reported to the education interim committee by March 1, 2026, for review and potential legislative recommendations.
HB 407, the "Kratom Consumer Protection Act," aimed to regulate the sale and manufacturing of kratom products in the state, directly affecting consumers and businesses involved in their distribution. The bill proposed limitations on kratom products, including caps on certain alkaloid levels, prohibitions against dangerous additives or synthesized materials, and a ban on products designed to be attractive to children. It would have required annual registration for kratom products, mandating certifications for good manufacturing practices and independent third-party lab testing for safety and content. The Department of Revenue was designated to enforce these provisions and publish a list of registered products.
HB 315 sought to revise alcohol laws related to restaurant beer and wine licenses. It proposed increasing the minimum percentage of a restaurant's gross income required to come from food sales, from 65% to 70%, for those holding or applying for these licenses. The bill also aimed to allow restaurants to serve beer and wine to patrons regardless of whether they ordered food, a change from the current requirement. Additionally, it would have given licensees discretion over their operating hours, requiring only notice to the department for any changes.
HB 689 aimed to increase pricing transparency for hospitals. It required hospitals to publish a comprehensive list of all their standard charges for medical items and services, including gross charges, negotiated rates with third-party payors, and discounted cash prices. This information was to be made available on hospital websites in both machine-readable and consumer-friendly formats. The bill also included provisions for reporting to state departments, prohibiting debt collection by non-compliant hospitals, and allowing for enforcement actions.
HB 828, known as the "Powered Wheelchair Right to Repair Act," sought to revise consumer rights laws related to powered wheelchair repairs. The bill would have required original equipment manufacturers to provide powered wheelchair owners and independent repair businesses with access to documentation, parts, and tools needed for diagnosis, maintenance, and repair. These resources were to be made available on fair and reasonable terms, including free electronic documentation and tools, and parts at costs equivalent to those offered to authorized repair providers. Additionally, manufacturers would have been required to provide tools to access and reset electronic security locks for repair purposes. Violations of these provisions would have been considered an unlawful practice under state consumer protection laws.
HB 835 proposes to extend the at-home infant care program, which provides financial assistance to low-income families where a parent cares for their infant full-time. The bill would increase the eligible age of infants from under 2 years to under 3 years, and extend the maximum duration a family can receive assistance from 24 months to 36 months. It also includes an appropriation of $2 million annually from the general fund to the department of public health and human services to support the program. This legislation aims to provide extended financial support for eligible low-income families choosing at-home infant care.
HB 795 proposed to expand Montana's criminal record expungement laws to include certain nonviolent felony offenses. It would have allowed individuals convicted of these offenses to petition a district court to have related arrest, investigation, and court records sealed or destroyed. To be eligible, a person would generally need to complete their sentence and remain conviction-free for 10 years, compared to 5 years for misdemeanors. The bill also specified certain offenses, like assault or DUI, for which expungement would not be presumed, and outlined factors for the court to consider. If granted, an order would direct relevant agencies to permanently seal or expunge the records.
HB 224 proposes to prohibit judges and judicial candidates from knowingly seeking, accepting, using, advertising, promoting, or otherwise benefiting from contributions or endorsements from a political party. This bill directly affects individuals running for or serving in judicial positions. It establishes a new section of law that outlines these unlawful actions concerning political party involvement.
HB 331 proposes to revise the laws governing marijuana advertising. The bill defines key terms such as "advertise," "billboard," and "commercial mascot" to clarify what constitutes advertising for marijuana and its products. It directly affects licensed marijuana businesses, including dispensaries, cultivators, and manufacturers, by amending specific sections of the Montana Code Annotated related to their advertising practices.
HB 564 would have required individuals holding deer or elk hunting licenses to report their hunting activity to the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks for each animal during the license year. Hunters who reported by February 15 could choose to receive one bonus point for either a deer or elk. Conversely, those who failed to report by the end of the license year would be assessed an administrative fee ranging from $5 to $50, payable before purchasing a new base hunting license. The bill also directed the department to develop a system for collecting these mandatory reports and defined "hunting activity" to include harvest success, locations, and dates.
HB 635 proposes to prohibit state and local government agencies from funding, establishing, or supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. It would prevent these agencies from requiring employees to participate in DEI programs or spending public funds on related services or staff. The bill defines DEI programs as activities that focus on describing power structures, methods to dismantle them, or advancing theories like implicit bias or systemic oppression. However, it includes exceptions for complying with federal law, specific state human rights laws, court orders, and offering sexual harassment training. This legislation directly affects state and local government agencies and their employees in Montana.
