Rep. Morgan Thiel

Maddy summaryHB 935 allows the department to temporarily suspend or close new permit applications for large groundwater appropriations (3,000 gallons per minute or more) from specific areas within the Fox Hills-Hell Creek aquifer. This action aims to balance water development with the protection of existing water rights. The bill also mandates the Bureau of Mines and Geology to conduct a feasibility study on groundwater availability in these areas. It appropriates $5,000 for this study, and the act's provisions are set to terminate on June 30, 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 527 revises the process for county election administrators to create written plans for elections conducted by mail. The bill eliminates the requirement for the Secretary of State to approve these plans. Instead, it mandates that county election administrators post their mail election plans on the county election office website at least 60 days before the election. If the plan is not posted by this deadline, the election automatically defaults to a traditional polling place election, directly affecting how voters will cast their ballots.

Maddy summaryHB 239 establishes a new licensing program for construction contractors, transferring their oversight to the Department of Labor and Industry. Under this law, all construction contractors are required to obtain a license, which involves paying a fee and providing specific business information. The bill defines what constitutes "unprofessional conduct" for licensees and outlines penalties for violations. It also clarifies that individuals who hire licensed contractors are not liable for workers' compensation or unemployment insurance for those contractors or their employees. This legislation aims to regulate the construction industry to protect public health, safety, and welfare.

Maddy summaryHB 679 revises the rules governing the use of state-owned vehicles by state agency employees. The bill generally prohibits using these vehicles for commuting between an employee's residence and their worksite. It creates a new exemption for certain employees of the Division of Criminal Investigation within the Department of Justice, specifically the fire marshal and agents in narcotics or major crimes. These DCI employees are now exempt from commuting restrictions if they are subject to call-outs during non-scheduled hours for the protection of life or property. Other existing exceptions for emergency responders and specific officials remain in place.

Maddy summaryHB 454 revises the required frequency of patient visits by a licensed physical therapist when supervising a physical therapy assistant. This bill directly affects licensed physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, and the patients they serve. It changes the supervisory requirement, allowing a physical therapist to make an onsite or telehealth visit once for every eight visits made by an assistant, rather than six. Additionally, the time-based supervisory visit is extended from every two weeks to every 30 days, whichever occurs first.

Maddy summaryHB 380 revises the specific date when presidential electors in Montana are required to meet to cast their votes for President and Vice President. Currently, electors meet on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December; this bill changes that date to the first Tuesday after the second Wednesday in December. This adjustment is intended to align Montana's electoral meeting schedule with the federal Electoral Count Act. The change primarily affects the procedural timeline for presidential electors and the Secretary of State during a presidential election year.

Maddy summaryHB 428 revises workers' compensation laws, primarily by clarifying the definition of "employer" for various entities and their workers. The bill specifies who is considered an employer for temporary workers, motor carriers, certain religious organizations, and fiscal agents making payments on behalf of workers. It also requires employers and insurers to annually submit reports detailing paid losses to help fund workers' compensation administration. Additionally, the legislation modifies the frequency of summary reports submitted by insurers and revises provisions related to medical status forms.