SB 224 establishes Indigenous Peoples' Day as a legal holiday in Montana. It amends Section 1-1-216, MCA, to designate the second Monday in October as "Indigenous Peoples' Day and Columbus Day," adding it to the state's list of official legal holidays. This change affects all Montana residents and state operations that observe legal holidays. The bill also includes standard provisions for how holidays falling on weekends are observed and requires the Secretary of State to notify the Montana Supreme Court, local governments, and tribal governments of this new act.
SB 53 generally revises Montana's income tax laws to implement conforming changes based on prior income tax simplification legislation. The bill updates marital filing status references and provides an extension for tax filing deadlines when they fall on a recognized federal holiday. It also clarifies what constitutes a qualified withdrawal from an education savings account by referencing the Internal Revenue Code and removes a requirement for an estate tax certificate in probate proceedings. These changes primarily affect Montana taxpayers and those involved in estate administration.
HB 823 revises the State Plan Committee, which oversees career and technical education in Montana. It expands the committee by adding three new members appointed by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry, representing the state workforce innovation board, business, and labor communities. The bill also coordinates the committee's meetings with the Montana State Workforce Innovation Board and requires its state plan to align with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act combined state plan.
HB 582 revises laws related to criminal sentencing in Montana. It allows district courts to deny credit for elapsed time in certain revocation proceedings involving multiple violations. The bill also clarifies that offenders are eligible for credit for time served before sentencing, provided the custody is attributable to proceedings for the same conduct for which they were convicted. Additionally, it adjusts the maximum periods for suspended sentences and community supervision for various felony offenses, including specific limits for sexual, violent, and drug offenders. These changes affect individuals convicted of crimes and the judicial process for imposing sentences.
HB 796 revises laws related to the compulsory sharing of health care records. It clarifies that professional and occupational licensing boards or programs may request health care information. This information can be obtained through an administrative subpoena for their investigative and disciplinary proceedings. The bill amends existing statutes to explicitly allow this disclosure under specific circumstances.
Senate Bill 95 allocates $300,000 to the Department of Public Health and Human Services for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025. This funding is dedicated to suicide prevention efforts specifically for service members, veterans, and their families. The bill outlines several key uses for the money, including implementing prevention strategies and establishing screening standards for suicide risk. It also aims to improve care transitions and increase lethal means safety through initiatives such as a statewide safe storage campaign and training events. The act is effective July 1, 2025, and terminates on June 30, 2027.
SB 544 revises Montana's individual income tax laws to allow taxpayers an election to account for certain past net operating losses. It directly affects individuals who had differences between their federal and Montana net operating loss carryovers before January 1, 2024. These taxpayers can choose to make a "transition adjustment" on their 2024 income tax return, filed by October 15, 2025, to address these discrepancies. If elected, this adjustment can reduce Montana taxable income for 2024 and up to seven subsequent years until the loss is fully utilized. The bill aims to provide a mechanism for individuals to claim losses not fully recognized under previous 2021 tax simplification legislation.
HB 532 revises laws concerning the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of incapacitated persons and vulnerable adults, defining these terms. It specifies that vulnerable adults include individuals aged 60 or older, or adults with significant physical or mental impairments or developmental disabilities. The bill establishes new felony and misdemeanor offenses for actions such as abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, failure to report, false reporting, and financial exploitation of these individuals. It also outlines penalties including fines and imprisonment for those convicted of these crimes.
HB 576 revises the funding for Medicaid and health and support services for children and adults who are aged, blind, or disabled. The bill allows a portion of the state's annual tobacco settlement proceeds to be used as matching funds for federal programs, including the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), home visiting services, and specific Medicaid waivers. It also expands the uses of an existing state special revenue account, enabling its funds to similarly provide matching funds for these same services. These changes are designed to help secure federal funding for a range of health and support programs.
House Bill 855 establishes a dedicated funding mechanism for projects aimed at reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions across Montana. It authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Commission to create a specialty license plate, with a $20 donation from its sale and renewal deposited into a new "Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account." Funds in this account, which also accepts gifts and grants, are statutorily appropriated to the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. These funds will be used for the design, construction, maintenance, and study of wildlife crossings and related accommodations on state roadways, improving safety for both drivers and wildlife.
HB 70 requires the Environmental Quality Council to conduct a comprehensive study on state fire suppression issues, methods, and costs in Montana. This study will investigate firefighting operations by state and federal governments, resource efficiency, the impact of operations on private land, and how forest management policies may contribute to wildfires. The Council must complete the study and report its findings, including any legislative recommendations, to the 70th legislature by September 15, 2026. The bill appropriates $50,000 from the general fund to cover the study's expenses.
HB 225 revises laws related to home inspections by establishing a state licensing program for home inspectors. The bill requires individuals who perform home inspections for compensation to obtain a license through the Department of Labor and Industry. To qualify, applicants must complete 40 hours of instruction, maintain membership in a national home inspection association, and carry $100,000 in liability insurance. It also sets standards for home inspection reports, requiring them to identify defects and recommend further evaluations, and outlines ethical conduct for inspectors. The Department is authorized to create rules and collect fees to administer this program.
