Energy

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 Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 31: Revise wind and solar facility decommissioning

HB 31 clarifies and revises the bonding requirements for wind and solar generation facility owners in Montana to ensure proper decommissioning. It mandates that facility owners submit a decommissioning plan and provide a bond to the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) within specific timeframes after commencing commercial operation. The DEQ determines the bond amount based on factors like site characteristics and salvage value. The bill also outlines various exemptions for facilities already bonded elsewhere or meeting certain size and operation criteria, and establishes penalties for non-compliance.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates decommissioning plans and bonds for wind/solar facilities, ensuring environmental protection and long-term renewable energy infrastructure viability.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentMandates decommissioning plans and bonds to prevent environmental damage from abandoned renewable energy facilities, ensuring post-operation site restoration.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 55: Revising public utility resource planning laws

HB 55 revises the laws governing how public utilities plan for their customers' future energy needs. It requires public utilities to submit detailed resource plans every three years, including evaluations of renewable energy and demand-side management scenarios, and to hold more public meetings before submitting these plans. The bill establishes a special revenue account within the Department of Environmental Quality to fund an independent evaluator, paid for by fees charged to public utilities, who will assist in reviewing these plans. Additionally, the state commission can now engage independent consultants to evaluate utility plans, with these costs being recoverable in rates charged to customers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes special revenue account funded by utility fees to support independent evaluation, directly advancing fiscal oversight under appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates evaluation of renewable energy scenarios and demand-side management in utility planning, advancing renewable integration and efficiency standards.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires renewable energy evaluations in utility plans and funds DEQ independent evaluator via utility fees, advancing clean energy planning and environmental oversight.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 47: Revise state building energy conservation program

HB 47 revises the State Building Energy Conservation Act, which affects state agencies, the university system, and community college districts concerning energy improvements in state-owned buildings. The bill removes the Department of Environmental Quality's authority to issue energy conservation program bonds. Instead, projects will be funded from the general fund or the energy conservation capital projects account. The Department of Environmental Quality is now authorized to set an annual interest rate, not exceeding 3%, for these projects.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill revises state building energy conservation program, maintaining funding for energy efficiency improvements in state-owned buildings via general fund.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill revises energy conservation program for state buildings, maintaining funding for energy improvements and conservation efforts under revised funding mechanisms.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 8: Renewable resource bonds and loans

HB 8 approves specific renewable resource projects and reauthorizes others, enabling the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to provide loans for them. These loans are available to various political subdivisions and local governments for purposes such as dam rehabilitation and irrigation system improvements. To fund these projects, the bill authorizes the issuance of up to $121,198,444 in coal severance tax bonds. Loan disbursements are subject to conditions including DNRC approval of the project's scope and budget, and the execution of a loan agreement.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes $121M in coal severance tax bonds for renewable infrastructure projects, using existing tax funds to finance approved initiatives under Appropriations and Coal Tax Fund subjects.92% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAuthorizes $121M in bonds for renewable projects via DNRC loans, directly funding clean energy infrastructure like dam rehab and irrigation improvements.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds renewable projects via loans/bonds, promotes clean energy and water conservation through dam irrigation improvements and DNRC financing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HB 217: Transfer the state building energy conservation program to the Dept. of Administration A&E division

House Bill 217 transfers the State Building Energy Conservation Program from the Department of Environmental Quality to the Architecture and Engineering Division within the Department of Administration. This means the A&E Division will now manage efforts to identify state-owned buildings for energy savings, conduct energy analyses, and implement improvements. The bill also allows the Department of Environmental Quality to retain certain federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds previously allocated to the program. This change affects state agencies and aims to consolidate the administration of state building energy efficiency.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill transfers energy conservation program to new division, maintaining focus on state building energy efficiency improvements and analyses per summary and subjects.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTransfers energy conservation program to manage building efficiency, maintaining focus on reducing energy use and emissions through state building improvements.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 120: Revise commercial property assessed clean energy laws

HB 120 expands Montana's Commercial Property-Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program to include multifamily housing facilities with at least five residential units. This change directly affects property owners and developers of qualifying multifamily buildings (e.g., apartment complexes), allowing them to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades through property assessments. The bill amends definitions to explicitly include these residential properties under the program, covering improvements like insulation, solar panels, and energy-efficient appliances. It maintains the existing financing mechanism where costs are repaid through property taxes over time, without requiring new debt or upfront payments from property owners. The law took effect immediately upon the governor's signature on April 7, 2025.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands C-PACE financing for renewable energy and efficiency upgrades in multifamily housing, directly advancing clean energy adoption through property-assessed funding.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands C-PACE program to fund energy efficiency/renewable upgrades in multifamily housing, directly promoting clean energy adoption and reducing emissions per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

passed · Montana · House Feb 10, 2025

HR 2: Resolution supporting the exploration development, processing and refining of critical minerals

This Montana House resolution (HR 2) expresses legislative support for expanding critical minerals development within the state. It urges state, federal, tribal, and local entities to advance exploration, processing, and recycling of minerals like rare earth elements, platinum group metals, and others found in Montana's geology. The resolution highlights Montana's existing mining infrastructure and aims to strengthen domestic supply chains for technologies, energy, and defense - reducing reliance on foreign sources like China. As a symbolic resolution (not binding law), it directs Montana's delegation to advocate for these projects but does not create new regulations or funding.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly supports critical minerals development for energy supply chains, aligning with renewable energy infrastructure needs as stated in its summary.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill prioritizes mining development without environmental safeguards, advancing industry over conservation and pollution control in mineral extraction.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Energy

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