Technology

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 122: Revise right-of-way laws

HB 122 revises existing right-of-way laws for utility lines on public roads, streets, and highways. It specifically expands the authorized utilities to include broadband lines and natural gas pipelines. This allows corporations and public bodies operating these services to install necessary infrastructure, such as lines, pipelines, posts, and piers, along public thoroughfares. The bill maintains the requirement that these installations must not inconvenience or endanger the public.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands broadband infrastructure access by explicitly including it in utility right-of-way laws for public thoroughfares.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 397: Revise laws related to privacy in mental health digital service

HB 397 establishes confidentiality standards for mental health digital services. It defines these services as mobile applications or websites that collect, use, or access information related to an individual's mental health or substance use disorder, market themselves as facilitating such services, and use the information for diagnosis, treatment, or management. The bill subjects these services to existing health care information disclosure and confidentiality provisions. It also provides for enforcement and remedies for individuals whose information is disclosed in violation of these standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes confidentiality standards for mental health digital services, protecting patient privacy under existing healthcare confidentiality laws, aligning with patient rights and mental health support.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyHB 397 extends existing health privacy laws to digital mental health services, enforcing confidentiality standards for data handling in technology platforms, thus protecting user privacy.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Montana · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 163: Generally revise privacy laws related to biometric, genetic, and neural data

SB 163 revises Montana's Genetic Information Privacy Act by expanding its scope to include neurotechnology data. The bill extends privacy protections to information concerning an individual's central or peripheral nervous system activity, such as brain data, collected by various devices. It adds new definitions for neurotechnology and neurotechnology data, and revises provisions related to privacy notices and exceptions. The intent is to safeguard consumers' sensitive neurotechnology data, particularly when collected by non-invasive devices outside of medical settings. This aims to provide similar privacy protections for neurotechnology data as currently exist for genetic data.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands privacy protections for neurotechnology data, directly safeguarding sensitive health information under healthcare privacy standards90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands privacy protections to neural data under Montana's Genetic Information Privacy Act, explicitly safeguarding sensitive neurotechnology data per bill intent.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 124: Revise electronic license privacy law

SB 124 revises electronic license privacy law in Montana. It clarifies that displaying an electronic driver's license on a device or handing the device to a peace officer does not grant consent for the officer to search or seize that electronic device. This bill directly affects individuals who use electronic driver's licenses and law enforcement officers, establishing a clear boundary for device privacy during traffic stops or similar interactions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies electronic license display doesn't grant device search consent, protecting privacy during traffic stops - directly aligns with civil rights protection in law enforcement interactions.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyClarifies electronic license privacy, preventing warrantless device searches during traffic stops, directly strengthening data privacy protections in digital contexts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 257: Generally revise critical infrastructure protection laws

HB 257 updates Montana's critical infrastructure protection laws by explicitly adding broadband and wireless communications infrastructure (including internet cables, cell towers, and related equipment) to the list of protected facilities. The bill expands definitions in Section 82-1-601 to include these networks under "critical infrastructure facility," while Section 82-1-602 clarifies criminal penalties for trespassing or damaging such facilities. Trespassing with intent to harm these newly protected facilities now carries felony charges (up to 18 months in prison or $4,500 fines), and damage exceeding $1,500 becomes a felony (up to 30 years in prison or $150,000 fines). This law directly affects anyone entering or damaging internet, phone, or cable infrastructure sites, with stricter penalties for intentional harm.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAdds broadband/wireless infrastructure to protected facilities, strengthening cybersecurity and internet access infrastructure protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 249: Include digital identifications in alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana laws

HB 249 allows businesses selling alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana to accept digital versions of government-issued IDs (like phone-based licenses) for age verification. It directly affects retailers in these industries and customers using digital IDs. The bill requires businesses to handle digital ID data strictly: they may not sell or transfer the data and must permanently delete it within 180 days after use. These rules apply to all age-restricted sales, including tobacco products under Section 16-11-305 and marijuana transactions under Section 16-12-104.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires strict data handling for digital IDs: prohibits sale/transfer and mandates 180-day deletion, enhancing privacy protections in tech transactions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Technology