Sen. Daniel Zolnikov

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the "Financial Freedom and Innovation Act," revises state cryptocurrency laws. It prohibits state governing authorities from using or testing central bank digital currency, while explicitly permitting individuals and businesses to accept digital assets for payments and engage with blockchain protocols, such as operating nodes or staking. The bill also establishes certification requirements and sales limits for network token issuers to qualify for exemptions from state securities laws.

Maddy summarySB 217 establishes a system for probationers and parolees to reduce their supervision period by earning "work time credit." Individuals can earn 1 day of credit for every 40-hour workweek of eligible employment, provided they comply with all supervision conditions and are current on court-ordered payments. Probationers and parolees must provide documentation of their employment for verification by their supervising officer. However, any awarded credit can be revoked if the individual violates a supervision condition or is charged with a new felony or serious misdemeanor offense. This credit system does not apply to individuals under lifetime supervision or those required to register as sexual or violent offenders.

Maddy summarySB 213 revises the state building code to permit certain residential buildings to be constructed with a single stairwell. This change applies to buildings classified as Group R-2 occupancy, which typically includes apartments or condominiums. To qualify for a single stairwell, these buildings must meet specific safety conditions. These conditions include having no more than six stories, a maximum of four dwelling units per floor, an automatic sprinkler system, and at least one window or emergency exit provision for each unit.

Maddy summarySB 302 revises property tax appeal procedures for residential property owners in Montana. It establishes an option for individuals appealing a residential property tax valuation to choose an informal review process at the Montana Tax Appeal Board (MTAB). If a taxpayer elects this informal review, the MTAB's decision is final and cannot be appealed further by either the taxpayer or the Department of Revenue. The bill also specifies that for residential property appeals, a taxpayer's independent appraisal is presumed correct unless the department provides sufficient evidence to rebut it.

Maddy summarySB 328 revises the deadline for appealing a decision made by a county tax appeal board to the Montana Tax Appeal Board. The bill affects taxpayers, the Department of Revenue, and municipal corporations involved in property tax appeals. It amends existing law to calculate the 30-calendar-day appeal window solely from the date the county board mails its decision. This change removes the option to calculate the deadline based on the date the decision is received, providing a single, consistent starting point for the appeal period.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 21 (SJ 21) requests an interim study on interstate power grid development in Montana. This study will evaluate the legal and regulatory frameworks for Montana to participate in new cooperative interstate agreements for electric transmission. Its goal is to assess potential economic benefits and costs for Montana's ratepayers and industries, explore market-based principles, and consider ways to streamline permitting for transmission projects. The final results of this study will be reported to the 70th Legislature.

Maddy summarySB 163 revises Montana's Genetic Information Privacy Act by expanding its scope to include neurotechnology data. The bill extends privacy protections to information concerning an individual's central or peripheral nervous system activity, such as brain data, collected by various devices. It adds new definitions for neurotechnology and neurotechnology data, and revises provisions related to privacy notices and exceptions. The intent is to safeguard consumers' sensitive neurotechnology data, particularly when collected by non-invasive devices outside of medical settings. This aims to provide similar privacy protections for neurotechnology data as currently exist for genetic data.

Maddy summarySR 59 is a procedural resolution by the Montana Senate to confirm the Governor's appointment of Mike Milburn to the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council. The resolution formally concurs in, confirms, and consents to this appointment for a term ending January 2, 2029.

Maddy summaryThis resolution confirms the Governor's appointment of Roy Brown to the Board of Oil and Gas Conservation. The Senate voted to approve this appointment, allowing Mr. Brown to serve a term ending January 2, 2029.

Maddy summarySR 58 is a resolution by the Montana Senate to confirm the Governor's appointment of Doug Grob to the Pacific Northwest Electric Power and Conservation Planning Council. This confirmation allows Mr. Grob to serve on the council for a term ending January 2, 2029.