Energy

vetoed · Montana · Senate Jul 14, 2025

SB 188: Revising solar energy policy laws

SB 188 establishes Montana's "Solar Shares Act," creating a new framework for shared solar energy programs. It defines "shared solar facilities" (50kW-5MW systems serving multiple customers in the same utility area) and requires utilities to interconnect them, replacing net metering with "on-bill credits" for subscribing customers. Key provisions include: utilities must apply credits to subscribers' bills based on their share of generation, facilities must be within the utility's service territory, and credits can transfer between accounts or support low-income programs. The bill directly affects public utilities, shared solar facility owners, and residential/commercial customers who subscribe to shared solar.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEstablishes shared solar framework, mandates utility interconnection, replaces net metering with on-bill credits to expand renewable energy access and customer participation in solar programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Energy

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 343: Revert revenue from coal tax to coal trust

SB 343 would change how Montana allocates remaining coal severance tax revenue after other specified uses. Currently, until 2027, interest income from the coal trust fund is sent to the general fund for specific programs like agriculture development, small business centers, and library services. This bill amends the law to redirect all remaining coal tax revenue (after other allocations) directly to the coal severance tax permanent fund starting July 1, 2027, instead of the general fund. The policy change would shift funding away from current general fund programs toward the coal trust fund, which supports coal-dependent communities and projects.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRedirects coal tax revenue from general fund programs (agriculture, small business, libraries) to coal trust fund, reducing funding for these services.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRedirects coal tax revenue to coal trust fund, supporting fossil fuel energy production infrastructure and revenue allocation.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HJ 12: Resolution regarding electric vehicles

HJ 12 is a Montana joint resolution requesting the U.S. Congress remove federal requirements for electric vehicle (EV) purchases. It cites Montana-specific challenges like limited rural charging infrastructure, reduced EV range in cold weather, and lack of all-terrain EV options, arguing these make EVs impractical for Montanans' needs. The resolution does not create new law but asks Congress to eliminate federal EV mandates, allowing Montanans to choose vehicle types freely. It was referred to a committee but died in 2025 without further action.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill requests removal of federal EV mandates, opposing federal energy policy promoting EV adoption and clean transportation infrastructure.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill seeks to eliminate federal EV mandates, weakening promotion of cleaner transportation - a key environmental protection measure. Removing such requirements opposes climate action goals.90% confidence ✗ TransportationOpposes TransportationRequests removal of federal EV mandates, opposing federal regulation of vehicle choices in transportation policy, directly limiting transportation program requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Energy

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 660: Require rules to limit GHG emissions

HB 660, titled "Require rules to limit GHG emissions," would have mandated the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to develop specific rules for limiting greenhouse gas emissions. This bill sought to amend existing state law (Section 75-2-112, MCA) by requiring the DEQ to create regulations to protect public health, safety, welfare, and the environment from these emissions. The legislation directly affects the DEQ by expanding its regulatory responsibilities to include greenhouse gases.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates DEQ to create rules limiting GHG emissions, directly advancing environmental protection and reducing fossil fuel dependence in energy policy.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates DEQ to develop rules limiting GHG emissions, directly strengthening environmental regulations to protect public health and environment per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 579: Require local governments to fund capital reserve accounts before receiving certain grants and loans

HB 579 would have required local governments, such as cities, counties, and irrigation districts, to establish and continually fund capital reserve accounts. To be eligible for grants and loans from programs like the Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program, these local governments would need to deposit either 10% of certain water-related revenues or $5 per acre-foot for specific dam owners into these accounts. The funds in these accounts could only be used for infrastructure projects with an estimated cost of at least $50,000. This bill would also have made a local government's ability to fund these capital reserve accounts a consideration in prioritizing financial assistance.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill requires local governments to fund reserve accounts to access Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program, enabling infrastructure projects tied to renewable energy funding.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 314: Create a state energy authority

HB 314 proposed creating a State Energy Authority to help develop Montana's energy resources and improve electricity transmission within the state and regionally. This authority would consist of 14 members appointed by the governor, representing utilities, energy stakeholders, and state agencies. Its responsibilities would include planning, developing, and analyzing energy and transmission projects, coordinating with state agencies, and participating in regional energy initiatives. The bill also proposed funding the authority's activities through a special revenue account, using money from the wholesale energy transaction tax.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates State Energy Authority to develop resources and improve transmission infrastructure, directly advancing energy infrastructure development per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Energy

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 630: Require legislative approval of greenhouse gas rules

HB 630 requires that certain rules established by state departments, commissions, boards, or local authorities are not effective unless approved by the legislature. Specifically, any rules related to the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions or the calculation and application of the social cost of carbon must receive legislative approval at the next legislative session. This mechanism affects agencies that issue such environmental regulations, including those pertaining to the operation of motor vehicles. The bill ensures that the legislature has final say over these specific types of administrative rules.

Topics ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyRequires legislative approval for greenhouse gas regulations, delaying or blocking environmental rules that advance clean energy standards and emissions reduction efforts.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentRequires legislative approval for greenhouse gas rules, adding barriers to environmental regulation implementation and weakening agency authority on emissions standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Energy

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 326: Establish a tax on electrical energy not produced by coal to match coal severance tax rate

HB 326, titled the "State Energy Resource Severance Act," would establish a new 10% tax on the sale price of electrical energy produced in the state. This tax would apply to electricity generated from sources such as water, wind, and solar, but specifically exempts coal-fired electrical generation. The bill also reduces the existing coal severance tax rate to match this new electrical energy production tax rate. Revenue from this new tax would be allocated to special accounts, primarily for local government infrastructure projects traditionally funded by coal.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new 10% tax on non-coal energy (wind/solar), reallocates revenue to local accounts for public services, strengthening tax base and fiscal management per bill's explicit tax structure.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill taxes renewable energy (wind/solar/hydro) at 10% while exempting coal and reducing coal's severance tax, directly favoring fossil fuels over renewables.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentTaxes renewable energy sources while exempting coal, disincentivizing clean energy adoption and favoring fossil fuels over environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Energy

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 915: Revise taxation of certain wind generation facilities

HB 915 revises the property taxation of certain wind generation facilities in Montana. The bill reclassifies specific wind generation facilities, moving them from Class Fourteen to Class Thirteen for property tax purposes. This change means these facilities would be taxed at 6% of their market value, which is the rate established for Class Thirteen property. The bill also includes provisions for an immediate effective date and retroactive applicability.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesReduces tax rate for wind facilities from higher Class Fourteen to 6% Class Thirteen, lowering state property tax revenue.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill reduces property tax rate for wind facilities (6% vs 10%), incentivizing renewable energy development. Directly supports wind energy infrastructure through tax reform.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 858: Revise coal severance tax coal washing credit

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends coal severance tax credit expiration, providing ongoing tax relief for coal mining operations, aligning with tax relief indicators.92% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyExtends coal severance tax credit, providing ongoing financial support to coal mining operations, favoring fossil fuels over renewable energy development.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Energy

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