Rep. Ed Stafman

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 879 proposes a legislative study in Montana to examine the economic impacts of federal government actions on the state's citizens, local and tribal governments, businesses, and institutions. The Legislative Finance Committee would conduct this study during the 2025-2026 legislative interim period. It would specifically investigate the effects of federal directives issued since January 20, 2025, including changes in federal funding, the impact of tariffs, and reductions in the federal workforce within Montana. The committee would be required to deliver preliminary findings by January 1, 2026, and a final report by September 1, 2026, to various state and tribal entities.

Maddy summaryHB 617 proposes that the Montana Attorney General must seek public input before engaging in litigation where the state has an interest. It requires the Attorney General to publish a statement of intent, including projected costs, at least 10 business days prior to initiating such litigation. The bill mandates a public hearing to allow citizens to comment on the proposed legal action. The Attorney General would then need to consider and respond to these public comments before making a final decision to proceed with the litigation.

Maddy summaryHB 290 aimed to regulate products containing Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) within the state. Starting January 1, 2028, it would prohibit the manufacture, sale, or offer for sale of cosmetics, juvenile products, and menstrual products that contain intentionally added PFAS. Manufacturers would be required to provide a certificate of compliance for these products. Additionally, the bill would prohibit the use of class B firefighting foam containing intentionally added PFAS for training purposes from January 1, 2028, and regulate its emergency use at terminals, requiring annual notice and justification to the state fire marshal.

Maddy summaryHJ 11 is a joint resolution from the state of Montana urging the U.S. Congress to propose a constitutional amendment. This amendment would clarify that constitutional rights belong solely to human beings, not to corporations, unions, or other artificial entities. It would empower federal, state, and local governments to regulate and limit campaign contributions and expenditures to ensure fair access to the political process and prevent undue financial influence in elections. The resolution also requests that contributions and expenditures be publicly disclosed.

Maddy summaryHB 224 proposes to prohibit judges and judicial candidates from knowingly seeking, accepting, using, advertising, promoting, or otherwise benefiting from contributions or endorsements from a political party. This bill directly affects individuals running for or serving in judicial positions. It establishes a new section of law that outlines these unlawful actions concerning political party involvement.

Maddy summaryHB 160 sought to repeal a state law that currently prevents local governments from regulating auxiliary containers. The bill proposed to remove the statewide prohibition on local government control over the use, disposition, sale, or fees related to auxiliary containers. If passed, this would have allowed individual local government units to enact their own ordinances concerning these items within their jurisdictions.

Maddy summaryHB 271 revises laws concerning executive exemptions to public records requests, aiming to replace a common law privilege with a statutory framework. It allows the Governor to assert a limited executive exemption for specific information only when their individual privacy interest clearly outweighs the merits of public disclosure, requiring the exemption to be narrowly tailored. The bill defines "confidential information" restrictively and sets a maximum duration of 60 days for an exemption to last. Additionally, it requires the award of costs and reasonable attorney fees to a prevailing party in public records litigation.