Rep. Nelly Nicol

Maddy summaryHB 852 aimed to revise laws related to surety bail bonds, significantly expanding the authority and rights of surety bail bond insurance producers. The bill would grant producers powers to apprehend defendants, including across state lines and by force, without requiring a prior court order. It also intended to make producers formal parties in legal proceedings concerning their bonds, giving them rights to notice, participation, and the ability to file motions in court. Additionally, the bill sought to revise procedures for bail determination, forfeiture, and defendant surrender, and regulate communication methods like teletypes between jails and bond agents.

Maddy summaryHB 937 requires the Commissioner of Insurance to create and maintain a public website listing all admitted insurance carriers and producers in good standing. This website is intended to assist consumers in finding insurance coverage by allowing them to search for providers by type of insurance. The list will display information in a randomized order daily and include search functions, but it cannot feature advertising or charge fees to insurers or producers for inclusion. The bill appropriates $10,000 from the general fund to establish this website.

Maddy summaryHB 407, the "Kratom Consumer Protection Act," aimed to regulate the sale and manufacturing of kratom products in the state, directly affecting consumers and businesses involved in their distribution. The bill proposed limitations on kratom products, including caps on certain alkaloid levels, prohibitions against dangerous additives or synthesized materials, and a ban on products designed to be attractive to children. It would have required annual registration for kratom products, mandating certifications for good manufacturing practices and independent third-party lab testing for safety and content. The Department of Revenue was designated to enforce these provisions and publish a list of registered products.

Maddy summaryHB 652 aimed to revise state income taxation by providing a full income tax exemption for military pensions, retirement, and survivor benefits. This bill would have directly affected veterans, military retirees, and their survivors by eliminating state income taxes on these specific forms of income. The proposed changes included amending sections of the Montana Code Annotated related to income definitions and tax provisions.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 720 revises the qualifications for members serving on the Board of Massage Therapy. The bill specifies the composition of the five-member board, which includes one health care provider, three massage therapists, and one public member. A key provision states that none of the three massage therapist members may own a massage therapy school. Additionally, none of these three therapists may belong to the same national professional association, ensuring diverse professional representation on the board.

Maddy summaryHB 729 revises laws concerning surety bail bond insurance, directly affecting surety bail bond producers and individuals seeking appearance bonds. The bill requires producers to collect a minimum premium of 10% of the guaranteed amount of the surety appearance bond. This minimum premium must be collected in full, and a receipt must be provided. Additionally, any extra fees beyond the minimum premium can only be collected if they are explicitly disclosed with a fee schedule in the contract.

Maddy summaryHB 726 revises the laws governing surety bail bond insurance. It changes the minimum age for a surety bail bond license from 21 to 18, adds requirements for U.S. citizenship or lawful work status, and specifies new disqualifications for licensure. The bill reduces the required initial training hours for agents and introduces mandatory biennial continuing education. Additionally, it requires surety bail bond producers to disclose all fees and interest charged beyond the minimum premium, with acknowledgment from all parties to the contract.

Maddy summaryHB 278 requires peace officers, during a lawful investigative stop, to make a reasonable attempt to determine a person's immigration status, unless it is impractical or would hinder an investigation. If the officer determines the person is not lawfully present in the United States, the bill mandates that this information be reported to a federal immigration agency. This affects peace officers by adding new duties during stops and impacts individuals who are lawfully stopped, as their immigration status may now be checked and reported.

Maddy summaryHB 321 updates Montana law to clarify how dental hygienists can practice under supervision, particularly expanding access in public health settings. It creates a new "public health supervision" pathway allowing hygienists to provide preventative services like cleanings, fluoride applications, sealants, and oral cancer screenings without a dentist being present - only in facilities serving underserved populations (e.g., clinics for low-income patients, schools, or homeless programs). Hygienists must now obtain a "limited access permit" from the board, and the law specifies exactly which services are permitted (e.g., removing stains, charting) and prohibited (e.g., anesthesia, dentures). The bill also defines key terms like "public health facility" and requires referrals for patients needing care outside permitted services.