Rep. John Fitzpatrick

Maddy summaryHB 572 revises the Montana Correctional Enterprises (MCE) prison industries training program, which affects inmates and the operation of correctional facilities. The bill requires the program to include educational programming and allows MCE to offer vocational programs that support private market demand. It also increases the maximum value of construction projects inmates can perform to $1 million and removes the requirement for MCE to provide products and services through contracts and dealer networks.

Maddy summaryHB 40 establishes a new "plan review special revenue account" within the state special revenue fund. This account will receive fees collected by the Department of Environmental Quality for reviewing plans and specifications related to public water supply and public sewage systems. The funds in this account are specifically dedicated to covering the department's costs associated with performing these plan reviews. This mechanism aims to create a dedicated funding source for the regulatory oversight of these systems.

Maddy summaryHB 8 approves specific renewable resource projects and reauthorizes others, enabling the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to provide loans for them. These loans are available to various political subdivisions and local governments for purposes such as dam rehabilitation and irrigation system improvements. To fund these projects, the bill authorizes the issuance of up to $121,198,444 in coal severance tax bonds. Loan disbursements are subject to conditions including DNRC approval of the project's scope and budget, and the execution of a loan agreement.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 217 transfers the State Building Energy Conservation Program from the Department of Environmental Quality to the Architecture and Engineering Division within the Department of Administration. This means the A&E Division will now manage efforts to identify state-owned buildings for energy savings, conduct energy analyses, and implement improvements. The bill also allows the Department of Environmental Quality to retain certain federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds previously allocated to the program. This change affects state agencies and aims to consolidate the administration of state building energy efficiency.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 466 amends the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) by formally defining and allowing state agencies to identify "categorical exclusions." These exclusions are actions determined to have no significant impact on the human environment and are therefore exempt from requiring an environmental analysis or impact statement. The bill also provides specific exemptions from MEPA review for activities such as building construction by the Department of Administration and historic preservation grants by the Department of Commerce. State agencies are required to track and report their use of these categorical exclusions.

Maddy summaryHB 13 revises pay and benefits for all Montana state employees, including a $1.00 hourly or 2.5% base salary increase (whichever is greater) effective July 1, 2025, plus one-time lump-sum payments based on work hours: $1,040 for full-time employees, $780 for 20-40 hours/week, and $520 for under 20 hours/week. It also adjusts per diem rates for travel, increasing daily meal allowances to $8.25 (breakfast), $9.25 (lunch), and $16.00 (dinner) for in-state travel. The bill applies broadly to all state employees and was enacted into law on March 27, 2025.