Immigration

signed · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HB 226: Provide for a legal employment and government accountability law

House Bill 226, titled the "Legal Employment and Government Accountability Law," requires employers to verify the legal work authorization of all employees before they start working. Employers must use either the federal E-Verify program or a completed Form I-9 with supporting documents to confirm eligibility. The Department of Labor and Industry is authorized to enforce this law through investigations, audits, and rulemaking. Non-compliance can lead to civil penalties, including fines for each individual employed in violation and potential suspension of business licenses for repeat offenses. A dedicated state special revenue fund will collect these penalties to support the law's implementation and administration.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRequires employer verification of legal work status via E-Verify/I-9, restricting unauthorized employment access - clear immigration enforcement measure95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Work Authorization

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 797: Generally revise occupational licensing laws

HB 797, also known as the "Expanding Physician Access Act," aims to revise occupational licensing laws to facilitate the licensure of international physicians. The bill establishes a process for the board to grant provisional licenses to international physicians who meet specific educational, examination, and experience requirements, and have an employment offer from a healthcare provider in the state. These provisional licenses automatically convert to full licenses after three years of continuous active practice in the state. This initiative seeks to remove barriers for internationally licensed physicians to fill vacancies, particularly in rural and primary care settings, while maintaining existing standards of care and licensing requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands physician access by streamlining licensing for international doctors, directly improving healthcare provider availability and patient access.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationFacilitates licensure for international physicians, enabling immigrant doctors to practice healthcare services without restrictive barriers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Primary Care Tags Licensing

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 709: Create the crime of human smuggling

HB 709 sought to establish the crime of "human smuggling" in Montana, targeting individuals and entities who knowingly transport or harbor people who have unlawfully entered the United States without federal inspection. Individuals convicted of this crime would face penalties including imprisonment, a substantial fine, or both. Entities found guilty would lose their eligibility for certain state tax exemptions. Additionally, the bill included provisions for the criminal forfeiture of property, such as vehicles and funds, if used in or derived from the crime of human smuggling.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new crime of human smuggling, expanding criminalization without reform elements per indicators.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill criminalizes transporting/harboring undocumented immigrants with penalties, increasing state enforcement against activities aiding undocumented individuals, directly opposing immigrant protections.95% confidence

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 927: Generally revise laws related to illegal aliens

House Bill 927 would have required a wide range of professionals and officials in Montana to report individuals they know are "not lawfully present in the United States" to the state Department of Justice. These mandatory reporters would have included healthcare providers, school staff, social workers, law enforcement, and certain clergy members. The bill outlined procedures for the Department of Justice to receive and record these reports, with the option to share information with federal immigration agencies while keeping the reporter's identity confidential. Failure to make a required report would have been a misdemeanor.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates reporting of undocumented individuals to state for federal sharing, increasing state enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement

Track

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 329: Require employers to use e-verify for employment eligibility

SB 329 requires Montana employers with more than 50 employees to use the federal e-Verify system to confirm new hires' work authorization within three business days of hiring. It mandates employers to register for e-Verify, submit employee data for verification, and maintain records for three years or the duration of employment. Employers who fail to verify or employ unauthorized workers face fines up to $5,000 per violation, enforced by the Attorney General through investigations and potential license suspension. The bill exempts employers who hired staff before October 1, 2025, and those already complying with federal verification laws, while prohibiting local governments from blocking enforcement.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates employer use of federal e-Verify for work authorization checks, increasing state enforcement of immigration status.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Work Authorization

Track

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 91: Require citizenship marker on driver's license and identification cards

SB 91 requires driver's licenses and identification cards issued in Montana to display an individual's U.S. citizenship status. Beginning January 1, 2026, an image of an eagle will be included on these cards for applicants who are United States citizens. This change affects all U.S. citizens applying for or renewing a driver's license or identification card in Montana.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRequires citizenship marker on IDs, restricting non-citizens' access to state-issued identification services and enabling potential enforcement actions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs

signed · Montana · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 278: Require peace officer to check and report immigration status during lawful stop

HB 278 requires peace officers, during a lawful investigative stop, to make a reasonable attempt to determine a person's immigration status, unless it is impractical or would hinder an investigation. If the officer determines the person is not lawfully present in the United States, the bill mandates that this information be reported to a federal immigration agency. This affects peace officers by adding new duties during stops and impacts individuals who are lawfully stopped, as their immigration status may now be checked and reported.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates state officers to check/report immigration status to federal agencies, increasing state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies