Sen. Gayle Lammers

Maddy summarySenate Bill 77 requires conservation districts to comply with state procurement laws when expending state-funded grants and loans. It mandates that contracts for architectural, engineering, and land surveying services follow specific state public procurement requirements. The bill also updates existing rules for conservation districts concerning purchases, construction contracts, and advertising requirements for bids and proposals. It establishes new thresholds for when districts can use direct negotiation versus when they must advertise for bids, aligning their purchasing practices with statewide standards.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 69 revises reporting requirements for county attorneys and the Attorney General concerning child sexual abuse cases. It changes the frequency of county attorneys' reports to the Attorney General from semi-annual to annual, due by June 1 each year. These reports must include specific details such as case identifiers, dates of charges or prosecution declinations, and conviction outcomes. The Attorney General will then compile this aggregated data and report annually to the law and justice interim committee by August 15, enhancing tracking and oversight of these cases.

Maddy summarySB 70 revises laws related to conditions of probation and parole supervision. The bill allows a probation and parole officer to remove a condition of supervision without a formal court hearing if the sentencing court, probationer, or county attorney does not object. This change requires the Department of Corrections to notify victims when such a condition is removed. It streamlines the process for adjusting probation conditions, directly affecting individuals under supervision, probation officers, and victims.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 330 creates the Montana Blockchain and Digital Innovation Task Force, administered by the Department of Administration. This task force will consist of state officials, legislators, and individuals with expertise in blockchain, cryptocurrency, financial technology, or digital innovation. Its primary duties include developing knowledge in these areas and recommending policies to promote their adoption, foster partnerships, and regulate them within Montana. The task force is required to report its findings by July 1, 2026, and will terminate on December 31, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 104 expands access to low-cost capital for public-benefit facilities and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in Montana. The bill increases the bond issuance cap for the Montana Facility Finance Authority to $1.5 billion and includes a biennial adjustment for inflation. It also amends definitions within existing law to specifically include 501(c)(3) entities as eligible for project financing through the Authority. This allows these organizations to secure funding for various projects, such as those related to family services, higher education, and other community benefits.