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.
SB 445, "Montana Transparency in Energy Economics Act," would have required investor-owned utilities to create a public energy dashboard by June 2026 showing real-time data on power sources, grid contributions, and costs per megawatt hour. Public utilities would have needed to provide quarterly reports detailing power sources (like coal, wind, solar), consumption by customer class, and costs. The bill directly affects residential and small commercial customers (defined as using ~750 kWh monthly) by making energy billing costs more visible. However, the bill died in committee on May 23, 2025, and never became law.
HJ 15 is a joint resolution from the Montana Legislature that expresses support for increasing electric transmission capacity. It states that upgrading and expanding transmission infrastructure, both within Montana and across state borders, is essential for ensuring affordable and reliable electricity service and stable economic growth for Montanans. The resolution directs copies to be sent to various governors, state and federal energy commissions, and rural electric cooperatives.
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.
Senate Bill 333 repeals the termination date for the existing coal severance tax coal washing credit. This credit, previously set to expire on July 1, 2027, will now continue indefinitely. The bill directly affects coal mining companies and processors that utilize coal washing and are subject to the coal severance tax, allowing them to continue claiming this tax credit.
