Technology

vetoed · Montana · Senate Jul 19, 2025

SB 410: Provide for Montana genomic security act

SB 410, the Montana Genomic Security Act, prohibits medical and research facilities in Montana from using genetic sequencers or sequencing software produced by companies based in nations designated as "foreign adversaries" under federal regulations (e.g., China, Russia). Facilities must replace such technology, store all genetic data within the U.S., and obtain written consent for remote data access outside Montana. The bill requires annual compliance certifications to the Attorney General and imposes $10,000 fines per violation for noncompliance with data storage or technology bans. It directly affects hospitals, research labs, and health facilities receiving state funding or conducting genetic research.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts foreign genomic tech use to protect genetic data privacy and cybersecurity, aligning with data protection indicators90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Technology

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 118: Generally revise student data laws to enhance privacy

SB 118 gives Montana students and parents the right to request deletion of their education data from the statewide K-12 data system. It requires the state education office to delete data within 45 days of a verified request, unless retention is needed for federal/state funding, contracts, or legal orders. The bill mandates accessible request methods (online, mail, email) without requiring account creation and requires annual reporting on deletions. It also updates data system rules to align with privacy standards, including prohibiting social security numbers as student identifiers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnhances student data privacy rights in K-12 systems, protecting student information as part of educational data management.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologySB 118 explicitly enhances student data privacy by mandating deletion of education data upon request, aligning with data privacy protections in technology policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Technology

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 925: Generally revise social media laws for minors

HB 925, the "Social Media Youth Protection Act," requires social media companies operating in Montana to implement systems that accurately identify minors (with 95% accuracy) and provide parental consent for data privacy settings. It mandates supervisory tools for minor account holders and restricts algorithmically curated services that use engagement-driven features like autoplay or endless scrolling. The bill directly affects social media companies and minors under 18, aiming to reduce excessive use linked to mental health risks by giving parents control over data and content exposure. Key provisions include age-assurance systems, parental consent for data privacy, and penalties for non-compliance, with definitions clarifying terms like "excessive use" and "algorithmically curated services."

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates parental consent for minors' data privacy, restricts engagement-driven algorithms, and requires supervisory tools to protect minors. This regulates tech companies for consumer protection and strengthens data privacy for minors.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Technology

Track

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 413: Criminalize disclosure of certain explicit AI-generated media

Senate Bill 413 creates the crime of "disclosing explicit synthetic media," also known as deepfakes, directly affecting individuals who create or share AI-generated content and protecting those falsely depicted. The bill makes it an offense to knowingly share synthetic media portraying an identifiable person engaged in sexual conduct or depicting intimate body parts without their consent, if it would cause substantial emotional distress. It also criminalizes disclosing such media with intent to harass or threaten, or possessing and threatening to disclose it for extortion. Penalties include fines and jail time, with increased penalties for repeat offenses or if the depicted person is under 18, though exceptions exist for reporting crimes, research, or legal proceedings.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for non-consensual deepfake disclosure, expanding criminalization under Crimes/Criminal Procedure subjects95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyCriminalizes non-consensual deepfake sharing, restricting AI media use to prevent harm without advancing tech innovation or privacy protections.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Technology

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 25: Revise election laws regarding disclosure requirements for the use of AI in elections

SB 25 regulates the use of artificial intelligence (AI) generated content, specifically "deepfakes," in election communications within Montana. It prohibits individuals, political entities, and corporations from distributing deepfakes of candidates or political parties in election communications within 60 days before an election. This prohibition applies unless the communication includes a clear disclosure stating that the content has been significantly edited by AI and depicts false speech or conduct. The bill outlines specific formatting requirements for this disclosure across various media, including print, television, and internet communications. It also provides for injunctive relief, damages, and penalties for violations.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts AI deepfakes in elections without disclosure, limiting technology use in political communications90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Technology

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 265: Revise cryptocurrency laws to create Financial Freedom and Innovation Act

This bill, known as the "Financial Freedom and Innovation Act," revises state cryptocurrency laws. It prohibits state governing authorities from using or testing central bank digital currency, while explicitly permitting individuals and businesses to accept digital assets for payments and engage with blockchain protocols, such as operating nodes or staking. The bill also establishes certification requirements and sales limits for network token issuers to qualify for exemptions from state securities laws.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits state CBDC use, permits private blockchain adoption, and exempts token issuers - directly advancing cryptocurrency technology innovation and digital asset rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Technology

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 650: Revise bonding laws to include broadband projects

HB 650 revises state bonding laws by expanding the definition of "project" to include facilities that provide broadband service. This change allows municipalities and counties to issue bonds to fund projects aimed at delivering broadband services. Specifically, it targets areas where existing broadband speeds are below 100 megabits per second download and 20 megabits per second upload. The bill provides a mechanism for local governments to finance the development of high-speed internet infrastructure in underserved locations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables local governments to issue bonds for broadband infrastructure funding, advancing public service investment through fiscal mechanisms.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables local funding for broadband infrastructure in underserved areas, directly advancing internet access technology through bond financing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Technology

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 631: Revise student online protection laws related to postsecondary opportunities

HB 631 revises student data privacy laws by amending the definition of "K-12 school purposes" in Section 20-7-1324, MCA. This change means that the existing data privacy protections for K-12 online applications will no longer apply to courses taken for postsecondary (college) credit. It also excludes work-based learning courses from these specific K-12 data privacy regulations. This bill aims to remove barriers to postsecondary opportunities by clarifying which educational activities fall under K-12 online application privacy rules.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves K-12 data privacy barriers for college credit courses, facilitating postsecondary access per bill's stated aim.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyExcludes postsecondary courses from K-12 data privacy rules, weakening protections for student data in college-credit courses.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Technology

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 212: Creating the Right to Compute Act and requiring shutdowns of AI controlled critical infrastructure

SB 212, known as the "Right to Compute Act," generally revises laws related to technology. It establishes a fundamental right for individuals to own and use computational resources, asserting that government restrictions on this right must be limited and narrowly tailored to a compelling public interest. The bill also requires deployers of critical artificial intelligence systems that control critical infrastructure facilities to develop a risk management policy. This affects individuals and entities using technology, as well as those responsible for managing AI in essential services.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEstablishes right to compute, limits government restrictions on tech use, and mandates AI risk management for critical infrastructure, advancing digital rights and cybersecurity.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Technology

signed · Montana · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 111: Adopt Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act

HB 111 adopts the Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act to standardize how Montana's legal documents are published and accessed electronically. It requires official publishers (like the Code Commissioner and Legislative Services Division) to designate electronic records as official, authenticate them to prove they haven't been altered, and ensure they are preserved securely and accessible to the public. The bill sets standards for electronic preservation, security, and public access to Montana's Constitution, statutes, and code, while aligning with federal electronic signature laws. This directly affects state agencies managing legal records and ensures public access to accurate, unaltered digital versions of Montana's laws.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates authentication and secure preservation of electronic legal documents, enhancing cybersecurity standards for official records.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Technology