HB 652 aimed to revise state income taxation by providing a full income tax exemption for military pensions, retirement, and survivor benefits. This bill would have directly affected veterans, military retirees, and their survivors by eliminating state income taxes on these specific forms of income. The proposed changes included amending sections of the Montana Code Annotated related to income definitions and tax provisions.
HB 548 proposes new requirements for admitting expert witness testimony in Montana courts. The bill mandates that courts consider four specific factors before allowing an expert witness to testify under Rule 702 of the Montana Rules of Evidence. These factors include whether the expert's knowledge will help the court, if the testimony is based on sufficient facts, if reliable principles and methods were used, and if those methods were reliably applied to the case. This directly affects how expert testimony is evaluated and admitted in legal proceedings, impacting attorneys, expert witnesses, and litigants.
HB 771 aimed to revise university housing policies for the Montana University System. It would have prevented universities from requiring students to live on campus if they live with an immediate family member whose principal residence is within a one-hour drive of the campus. Students could be required to submit a form confirming their off-campus residence with a parent, guardian, grandparent, aunt/uncle, or adult sibling. Universities would have had two business days to approve or deny such requests, provided the student met the specified conditions.
HB 858 aimed to revise the coal severance tax coal washing credit in Montana. The bill proposed to extend the termination date for specific definitions related to "coal washing" and "contract sales price," which are used to calculate this tax credit. If passed, these definitions, relevant to coal mining operations, would have remained in effect until July 1, 2027, rather than expiring earlier. The bill also included a provision for notifying tribal governments about the act.
HB 204, titled "Revise gambling laws related gambling addiction," sought to update state gambling regulations. The bill required that all video gambling machines display information about gambling addiction, including contact details for support organizations. This information would need to be placed on the front of the machine, clearly visible and legible to users. Machines that did not comply with this requirement would not be permitted for public use, with the changes applying starting October 1, 2025.
HB 733 aimed to prohibit the enforcement of certain federal firearms laws within Montana. It would have prevented peace officers, state employees, and employees of political subdivisions from enforcing federal firearms laws, rules, executive orders, or regulations. This prohibition would apply to federal measures enacted after November 9, 1889, that are more restrictive than Montana's existing firearms laws. The bill was intended to take effect immediately upon passage and approval, with retroactive applicability to relevant federal laws adopted or interpreted more restrictively since November 8, 1889.
HB 73 proposes to repeal a Montana law that currently allows livestock or poultry owners to kill eagles, predatory hawks, and owls. If passed, the bill would remove the state's authorization for such actions by specifically repealing Section 87-5-209 of the Montana Code Annotated. This change would directly affect livestock and poultry owners by revoking their legal permission to destroy these specific bird species.
HB 615 revises how interest earned from the coal severance tax permanent fund is distributed to state programs. The bill specifically allocates $2 million to the Department of Justice to partially fund highway patrol officers' salaries. It also extends the termination date for several existing appropriations from this fund, pushing them from June 2027 to June 2029. These extended appropriations continue to support programs related to agriculture, commerce, and highway services, affecting various state agencies and the public services they provide.
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.
