Rep. Steve Fitzpatrick

Maddy summaryHB 629 revises laws regarding connections between proposed subdivisions and public water or wastewater systems. It mandates that county and municipal water or sewer systems must accept a proposed subdivision's request for connection under specific circumstances. These conditions include the subdivision's boundary being within 501 to 1,000 feet of the public system, and the system certifying it has adequate capacity and meets all regulatory requirements. The bill also directs the Department of Environmental Quality to amend its administrative rules to align with these new provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 464 revises Montana's insurance laws regarding property ownership changes upon death. It clarifies that when real property is transferred using a "transfer on death deed," the existing insurance coverage on that property is not voided when the original owner passes away. Instead, the bill ensures that the insurance coverage temporarily extends to the designated beneficiary for losses to the real property. This temporary coverage lasts for a maximum of 45 days after the owner's death, or until a new policy is in place or the original policy expires, ensuring continuity of protection for the property.

Maddy summaryBill HB 463 allows a Montana Limited Liability Company (LLC) to convert into either a domestic corporation or a limited liability partnership. For such a conversion to occur, all members of the LLC must unanimously agree to the terms and conditions. A written conversion agreement detailing how member interests will be handled is required, along with filing new articles of organization with the secretary of state. Upon successful filing, the LLC's certificate is canceled, and the conversion becomes effective, providing a clear pathway for businesses to change their legal structure.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 530 revises business laws by establishing a process for certain types of entities, including Limited Liability Companies, Benefit Corporations, and Nonprofit Corporations, to change their state of legal formation. This "domestication" process allows an entity formed in this state to become legally recognized in another jurisdiction, or a foreign entity to become legally recognized in this state, while maintaining its entity type. To do so, entities must approve a detailed plan of domestication and file a statement with the Secretary of State, outlining the conversion of interests and other terms.

Maddy summaryHB 135 establishes specific time limits for bringing legal claims against real estate appraisers, real estate appraisal firms, and appraisal management companies. For most claims seeking damages or other relief related to an appraisal or appraisal review, a lawsuit must be started within 5 years of the appraisal's completion. However, claims specifically for breach of contract have a longer limit, allowing them to be filed up to 8 years after the appraisal or review was finished. The bill also defines the types of entities and activities covered by these new timeframes.

Maddy summaryHB 150 revises Montana's definitions and regulations for alcohol and gaming laws, primarily updating terminology to clarify existing rules. It defines key terms like "caffeinated or stimulant-enhanced malt beverage," "guest ranch," "hard cider," and "ownership interest" to improve regulatory precision. The bill directly affects alcohol producers, distributors, retailers, and gaming license holders by standardizing how these terms are applied in licensing and enforcement. It does not create new taxes or restrictions but ensures consistent interpretation of current laws across the Department of Revenue and gaming regulations. The changes aim to modernize language and resolve ambiguities in Montana's alcohol and gaming code.

Maddy summaryHB 109 corrects typographical errors and outdated references in Montana's professional licensing laws for healthcare providers. It updates statutory citations for licensed social workers, professional counselors, addiction counselors, marriage and family therapists, and behavioral health peer support specialists in Section 28-2-724, MCA. The bill does not change existing restrictions on contracts that limit providers' ability to treat patients or practice after employment ends - those provisions remain unchanged. It solely fixes how these laws are referenced in the legal code (e.g., renumbering Section 37-23-104 to Chapter 39). This is a technical correction, not a policy change affecting providers or patients.

Maddy summaryHB 210 revises Montana's unemployment insurance program to enhance fraud prevention and adjust employer tax rates. It requires weekly checks against prison records, new hire databases, and motor vehicle records to verify claimant eligibility (affecting both claimants and employers). The bill creates a lower tax schedule for some employers, clarifies penalties for fraudulent claims (requiring repayment plus 50% penalty), and directs 70% of penalty funds to fraud detection efforts. These changes apply directly to Montana employers paying unemployment taxes and individuals claiming benefits under the state's program. The bill became law after Governor's signature on April 7, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 136 allows Montana homeowners' insurance companies to offer premium reductions or benefits to policyholders who take specific preventative measures to reduce property damage from fire, wind, or hail. These measures include using fire-resistant building materials, maintaining defensible space landscaping (like a 5-foot nonflammable border), installing wind-resistant roof shingles, or securing outdoor furniture. The bill requires insurers to disclose these benefits in writing and explicitly states they do not constitute illegal rebates under existing law. This policy change directly affects homeowners who implement qualifying safety measures, providing them with potential cost savings through their insurance premiums.

Maddy summaryHB 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.