Rep. Jill Cohenour

Maddy summaryHJ 71 is a joint resolution requesting an interim study of how federal funding changes could impact Montana's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). It directs the Legislative Finance Committee to analyze effects on DEQ operations, programs (like water quality and waste management), and 376 positions funded partly or fully by federal dollars. The study would examine potential budget shortfalls, program reductions, and workforce impacts if federal funding decreases. The committee was required to report findings to the 70th Legislature by September 15, 2026. This is a procedural resolution, not a law, focused solely on gathering information about federal funding risks.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 353 grants the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks the authority to manage the collection of naturally shed antlers and horns from elk, deer, and antelope, as well as those with a skull or portion of a skull attached. The bill establishes new licensing requirements, instituting a $10 Class F-1 license for residents and a $50 Class F-2 license for nonresidents who collect these items. Landowners, their immediate family, and employees are exempt from needing a license when collecting on their own land. This legislation also provides the department with rulemaking authority, implements a waiting period for nonresidents, and revises criminal acts related to possessing sheds.

Maddy summaryHB 670 proposes that public utilities transfer unused kilowatt-hour credits, generated by customers who produce their own electricity, to low-income energy assistance programs. Currently, any remaining unused credits accumulated by customer-generators over a 12-month period are granted back to the public utility without compensation. This bill amends existing law to specifically direct that these uncompensated credits must be credited to a fund established for universal low-income energy assistance, administered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. The public utility would receive credit for these kilowatt-hours that fund the assistance programs.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 556 regulates how health insurance issuers use artificial intelligence (AI) for reviewing and managing healthcare services. It prohibits AI, algorithms, or other software tools from solely determining medical necessity or denying, delaying, or modifying healthcare services. Instead, medical necessity determinations must be made by licensed healthcare professionals, considering individual patient history and circumstances, not just group data. The bill also requires AI tools to be applied fairly, avoid discrimination, and be open to audit, making non-compliance an unfair claim settlement practice.

Maddy summaryHB 514 revises Montana's privacy in communications laws, specifically targeting the non-consensual use of sexually explicit images. The bill makes it an offense to publish, distribute, or disclose real or "digitally fabricated" sexually explicit images of an identifiable person without their consent, especially with intent to harm or extort. It also criminalizes possessing and threatening to disclose such images to obtain money or valuables. "Digitally fabricated" is defined as media created using technical means, like artificial intelligence, to falsely depict an individual engaging in sexual conduct. Penalties for these offenses range from a misdemeanor for a first conviction to a felony for subsequent convictions.

Maddy summaryHB 513 establishes property rights for individuals in their name, voice, and likeness, making these rights transferable and descendible for a period after their death. The bill prohibits the unauthorized creation, distribution, or use of digital voice replicas or digital depictions of an individual. Those who violate these provisions may face significant financial penalties, including actual damages and profits from the unauthorized use. However, the bill includes exceptions for uses like news reporting, commentary, criticism, scholarship, satire, or parody.

Maddy summaryHB 897 establishes a new Class F license for nonresidents to participate in shed hunting within Montana's wildlife management areas, requiring a $50 fee. The bill implements a 7-day waiting period, granting residents access to these areas for shed hunting a week prior to nonresidents. It also defines "shed hunt" and "shed hunting," and sets penalties for nonresidents who violate the new licensing or waiting period rules, ranging from a warning to fines and loss of privileges for repeat offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 354 revises the penalties for criminal trespass while engaging in certain outdoor activities. The bill mandates the revocation of hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges for individuals convicted of criminal trespass. This penalty applies if the trespass occurs while hunting, fishing, trapping, or collecting antlers, antler sheds, or animal horns, on any property, not just state-owned land.

Maddy summaryHB 512 mandates that all new school buses purchased on or after January 1, 2026, must be equipped with lap-shoulder belts for each passenger. School districts using these buses would be required to adopt and enforce a seat belt usage policy and ensure belts are properly maintained. The bill provides exceptions for school districts that cannot afford such buses, following a public vote. Additionally, it limits the liability of the state, counties, and school districts in personal injury cases where passengers fail to use or improperly use the belts, provided an enforceable policy is in place.