SB 437 revises the definitions of "sex," "female," "male," "man," "woman," "father," and "mother" within Montana law. The bill defines "sex" exclusively as biological sex, determined by reproductive anatomy, chromosomes, gonads, and genitalia present at birth. It clarifies that sex is limited to two categories, male and female, and is not influenced by an individual's gender identity, psychological state, or personal experience. This legislation amends numerous sections of the Montana Code Annotated to reflect these updated biological definitions.
HB 259 revises Montana's gray wolf management rules to give the Fish and Wildlife Commission more flexibility in controlling wolf populations. It allows landowners to kill wolves threatening livestock or safety without a hunting license (subject to reporting and annual quotas), expands hunting/trapping on private land at night using thermal/infrared scopes, and permits unlimited wolf harvest in high-population areas. The bill directly affects landowners, hunters, and the Fish and Wildlife Commission, which must implement these changes. Key provisions include new landowner take rules, modified hunting seasons based on regional wolf numbers, and immediate implementation upon enactment.
HB 643 revises how state agencies pay for holding people in county detention centers. It changes the definition of "actual costs" to be the greater of either $82 per day (as documented by the center) or 90% of the Crossroads Correctional Facility's daily rate. This affects the Department of Corrections, Department of Public Health and Human Services, and local law enforcement agencies that must pay these costs for specific cases, like probation violators or people awaiting placement in health facilities. The bill ensures payments cover the documented costs plus 10%, clarifying which agency pays in different detention scenarios.
HB 499 extends Montana's Grow Your Own Grant Program through 2029 (previously ending in 2027) and expands eligibility to include postsecondary institutions like universities and tribal colleges. The bill allows these institutions to receive grants to develop teacher training pathways, removes a requirement to convert student grants into loans if recipients don't teach in shortage areas, and revises credit requirements for high school students. It directly affects rural and reservation school districts facing teacher shortages, postsecondary institutions developing education programs, and students pursuing teaching careers through the program. The legislation includes a $500,000 appropriation for the 2025-2027 biennium to support these expanded grant opportunities.
HB 4 is a procedural budget amendment bill that allows unspent funds from Montana’s fiscal year 2025 appropriations to continue into future fiscal years (2026-2027) for specific programs. It directly affects state agencies like the Judiciary, Department of Justice, Public Instruction, and Fish/Wildlife/Parks by extending authority for existing initiatives, such as treatment courts, election security grants, school relief funds, and wildlife monitoring projects. The bill’s key mechanism is permitting carryover of unused budget authority without new legislative action, ensuring continuity for ongoing programs. As a procedural budget measure, it does not create new spending but adjusts timing for existing allocations.
HB 924 creates the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust, funded by half of the state's unpredictable revenue (like capital gains or oil royalties) starting in 2027. Interest income from the trust is split: half distributes $15 million annually to five specific programs (disaster resiliency, property tax relief, water development, bridge repairs, and early childhood care), while the other half reinvests in pension funds and housing infrastructure. The bill establishes new accounts for these programs and sets rules for calculating volatile revenue using historical data to stabilize budgeting. It directly affects state budgeting, early childhood services, infrastructure projects, and pension systems through mandatory funding allocations.
HB 5 appropriates over $30 million for major repair and capital development projects across Montana state facilities, including universities, health departments, and government buildings, for the 2023-2025 biennium. It funds specific upgrades like roof replacements, heating system repairs, fire safety improvements, and electrical system modernizations at locations such as Montana State University campuses, the Department of Health facilities, and state prisons. The bill increases the value threshold for certain projects from $150,000 to $300,000 and authorizes transfers between state fund accounts to support these repairs. It directly affects state agencies managing public infrastructure by providing dedicated funding for essential maintenance and safety upgrades. The bill was enacted on June 19, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers.
HB 2, the General Appropriations Act of 2025, allocates $30.8 million in state funding for Montana's agencies during the 2025-2027 biennium. It directly affects all state agencies receiving funds, including the Legislative Services Division, Governor's Office, and Consumer Counsel, by specifying how money can be spent (e.g., "Biennial" funds for two years, "Restricted" funds for specific purposes). Key mechanisms include categorizing appropriations to control spending, requiring separate budget tracking for different fund types, and mandating clear reporting of personal services funding. The bill does not create new policies but establishes the financial framework for state operations during the biennium.
HB 368 requires operators of coal-fired power plants (over 200 megawatts) in Montana to provide ongoing water access for residential and commercial use to the city or town where the plant is located if the plant closes. It mandates operators maintain water delivery systems until cleanup meets environmental standards, with financial assurance for water supply 30 years after closure. The bill directly affects plant operators and local governments, ensuring continued municipal water access even after plant retirement. Key provisions include revised definitions for "retired" plants, cleanup criteria, and requirements for operators to cover long-term water needs.
SB 232 amends Montana's state procurement law to clarify and expand exemptions from competitive bidding requirements. It adds specific categories that now qualify for direct contracting, including Montana State Lottery contracts under $250,000, state compensation insurance fund services, and contracts for professional services like engineers, doctors, and legal experts. This change directly affects state agencies when purchasing these exempt services, allowing them to bypass standard competitive bidding processes. The bill became effective immediately upon the governor's signature in June 2025.
HB 832 creates a Montana state grant program to fund training for healthcare providers in nonmedication therapies for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The program, administered by the Department of Labor and Industry, awards grants to entities developing 2-year projects that train licensed providers (including Veterans Affairs-certified professionals) in these therapies, develop treatment protocols, and engage in community planning. It appropriates $600,000 from the state general fund for the 2025-2027 biennium as a one-time allocation, requiring grantees to report outcomes like providers trained, patients served, and treatment impact by 2026. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 810 prohibits Montana landlords from charging extra fees based on how tenants pay rent (e.g., credit card or online payments), except to cover actual bank fees incurred for electronic payments. It defines "rent payment type" to include cash, checks, electronic methods, or other agreed-upon forms. The law directly affects all Montana tenants and landlords by standardizing payment terms in rental agreements. It amends existing tenant-landlord statutes to eliminate discriminatory fees while clarifying acceptable payment methods.
