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 Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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vetoed · Montana · House Jul 15, 2025

HB 861: Provide statewide access to a K-12 digital toolkit

HB 861 allocates $1.1 million annually to Montana's Office of Public Instruction and $750,000 to the Department of Labor and Industry for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The funds will provide statewide access to a K-12 digital toolkit containing state standards-aligned instructional materials across all subjects, including career and technical education resources aligned with Montana industry needs. This bill directly affects Montana public schools and students by expanding access to digital learning tools. It establishes a permanent funding base for these resources, effective July 1, 2025, though it was vetoed and not enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.85M annually for K-12 digital toolkit, directly funding public education services under state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $1.85M for statewide K-12 digital toolkit funding standards-aligned materials, expanding educational access and resources for Montana schools.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds K-12 digital toolkit with state-aligned instructional materials, directly advancing educational technology access and resources.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 453: Prohibit sale of electronic data to the federal government

SB 453, the "Electronic Data Ownership Act," would establish that electronic data created by Montana residents belongs to them personally, requiring entities holding such data to hold it in trust. It prohibits selling this data to the federal government without the resident’s explicit consent and restricts disclosure to federal authorities except under specific legal orders (like subpoenas), requiring notice to the individual unless court-ordered delays apply. The bill also mandates actual payment for data sales, bans unfair contract terms forcing data forfeiture, and prohibits inheriting data upon death without prior election. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits unauthorized sale of resident data to federal government, requiring explicit consent and strengthening privacy protections per bill's core provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 452: Require disclosures of AI use by online media manufacturers

SB 452 would require online media manufacturers (not government entities) to disclose when artificial intelligence curates or controls content users see and provide an opt-out option. It mandates visible markers on AI-generated content - like watermarks or labels - to alert users, even if original markers are removed. The bill defines "artificial intelligence" as systems that mimic human behavior to shape information flow and specifies "markers" as clear visual or audio disclosures. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and is not law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires AI content transparency and opt-outs for consumers, aligning with data privacy and consumer protection regulations in tech policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 207: Establish laws related to a digital public square

This bill would prevent social media platforms and other free online spaces (called "digital public squares") from removing users or censoring their content without legal justification. It bans actions like shadowbanning, algorithmic suppression, or restricting content visibility, while allowing platforms to show advertisements. Users could sue platforms for damages if they violate these rules. The law applies specifically to free digital platforms, not paid services, and defines key terms like "deplatforming" as removing users without their request.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyPrevents platform censorship of user content, protects digital rights, and enables user lawsuits for violations - directly aligns with regulating tech companies for consumer protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 494: Revise voting system auditing in election laws

SB 494 would require Montana election administrators to test new voting systems for functionality before use and after major changes like upgrades or hardware transfers. It mandates that administrators print, examine, and retain voting system audit logs and vote records for 22 months, with certain logs required to be kept permanently as public records. The bill also specifies that counties using vote-counting machines must retain these audit logs in perpetuity for public access. These changes aim to improve election transparency and verification by standardizing how voting system data is documented and preserved.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates voting system audits, log retention, and security testing to enhance election cybersecurity and data integrity, aligning with cybersecurity protection indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 662: Revise the Montana driver privacy protection act

HB 662 revises the Montana Driver Privacy Protection Act to strengthen privacy protections for individuals' motor vehicle records. The bill requires that "express consent" for disclosing personal information must be obtained on a specific form prescribed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. It also allows individuals to file individual or class action lawsuits against "requesters" who misuse this disclosed information. These lawsuits can seek punitive damages, costs, and reasonable attorney fees, and the department would be required to maintain a list of all requesters.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyStrengthens data privacy for motor vehicle records via express consent requirements and enables lawsuits for misuse, directly protecting personal information under privacy-focused legislation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Technology

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 514: Criminalize use of real and digitally fabricated sexually explicit images

HB 514 revises Montana's privacy in communications laws, specifically targeting the non-consensual use of sexually explicit images. The bill makes it an offense to publish, distribute, or disclose real or "digitally fabricated" sexually explicit images of an identifiable person without their consent, especially with intent to harm or extort. It also criminalizes possessing and threatening to disclose such images to obtain money or valuables. "Digitally fabricated" is defined as media created using technical means, like artificial intelligence, to falsely depict an individual engaging in sexual conduct. Penalties for these offenses range from a misdemeanor for a first conviction to a felony for subsequent convictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes non-consensual sharing of explicit images, expanding criminalization scope. Aligns with 'oppose' indicator of expanded criminalization.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCriminalizes non-consensual distribution of explicit images (including digitally fabricated), strengthening data privacy protections under Information Technology subjects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology