Rep. Julie Darling

Maddy summaryHB 488 would allow Montana voters with disabilities to return their voted ballots electronically for federal elections using a secure, encrypted system approved by the Secretary of State. To use this option, voters must request an electronic ballot in writing, by email, or in person, and return the completed ballot with a signed affirmation by 8 p.m. on election day. The Secretary of State would establish security and encryption standards for the system, and the bill appropriates $10,000 to develop the technology. This change would apply only to federal primary and general elections beginning in 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 637, titled "Provide for medical aid in dying," establishes a legal framework for adults with a terminal illness to request and self-administer medication to end their lives peacefully. To qualify, an individual must be at least 18, have a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less, and possess the capacity to make medical decisions. The bill outlines specific requirements for prescribing health care providers, including making multiple determinations about the patient's condition and ensuring an informed, voluntary decision. It also provides immunities for health care providers, requires reporting, and establishes criminal penalties for actions like coercion or altering requests.

Maddy summaryHB 786 revises the responsibilities of the presiding officer of the Montana Arts Council. The bill specifically removes the title of "chief executive officer" from the presiding officer position. This change means the individual serving as the council's presiding officer will no longer hold the additional designation of chief executive.

Maddy summaryHB 845 increases the state income tax deduction for individuals contributing to Family Education Savings Accounts (529 plans). Beginning in tax year 2025, the maximum annual deduction for these contributions will rise from $3,000 to $4,500. The bill also establishes an inflation factor to adjust this maximum deduction amount in subsequent tax years based on the consumer price index. These changes apply retroactively to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, for contributions made to accounts owned by the contributor, their spouse, or a Montana resident child or stepchild.

Maddy summaryHB 432 revises water laws by creating exceptions to the standard process for changing water appropriation rights. It allows certain appropriators, including public water supply systems, individual well owners, and municipalities, to make specific changes without prior approval from the department. These changes include constructing redundant wells, replacing existing wells or points of diversion, and adjusting municipal places of use or stock watering systems. Instead of prior approval, appropriators must file a notice of change with the department within a set timeframe after completing the alteration, provided they meet specific conditions outlined in the bill.

Maddy summaryHB 192 increases the fees charged by county clerk and recorders for recording various documents. It sets the fee for recording a standard document or when using mechanical means to $20 for the first page and $10 for each additional page. The bill also doubles the portion of these fees deposited into the county's records preservation fund from $1 to $2 per document. Additionally, beginning July 1, 2027, the Department of Revenue will biennially adjust these recording fees for inflation. These changes will apply to documents recorded on or after October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 62 generally revises laws related to the administration of public employee retirement systems (MPERA). It clarifies rules for disability retirement, including when benefits can begin and that duty-related benefits do not automatically convert to normal retirement at age. The bill assesses interest on payroll reporting errors that require retroactive contributions and allows for prorating service purchases if installment payments cease. Additionally, it revises definitions of "allowance" and "compensation," aligns working retiree limits across various systems, and updates required minimum distribution rules to comply with federal law, affecting public employees and retirees in these systems.

Maddy summaryHB 561 repeals state laws that govern county licensing of itinerant vendors. This bill eliminates the existing legal framework that defined these licenses, set fees, and outlined application and enforcement procedures. As a result, individuals and businesses operating as itinerant vendors will no longer be required to obtain these specific county licenses.

Maddy summaryHB 767 revises county predator control laws to include goats. It authorizes county commissioners to establish predatory animal control programs specifically for the protection of goats, often based on recommendations or petitions from local goat producers. To fund these programs, commissioners can impose a per capita license fee on goats aged one year or older. The collected fees and proceeds from selling skins of predatory animals are deposited into a dedicated predatory animal control fund for goats.

Maddy summaryHB 562 eliminates specific reporting requirements for various state agencies in Montana. It amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated, impacting departments such as the Department of Administration, Department of Labor and Industry, and Department of Public Health and Human Services. The bill removes mandates for these agencies to submit certain fiscal, administrative, and program-related reports to legislative committees or the full legislature. This action streamlines administrative processes by reducing the number of required reports.