Sen. Ellie Boldman

Maddy summarySB 422 requires Montana health insurers to cover FDA-approved drugs for advanced or metastatic cancer without forcing patients to first fail other treatments. It prohibits insurers from demanding that patients prove they've tried and failed alternative drugs before approving coverage for new treatments that align with national cancer guidelines. This directly affects patients diagnosed with advanced or metastatic cancer in Montana, ensuring faster access to potentially life-saving medications without unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles. The law applies only to drugs approved by the FDA and consistent with evidence-based cancer treatment protocols.

Maddy summarySB 424 would have expanded Montana's disabled veteran property tax assistance program to include veterans rated 60% to 90% disabled (previously only 100% or 80%+). It updated tax rate reductions based on income, adding new multipliers for 80-90% disabled veterans (e.g., 70% reduction for $0-$45,803 income) while maintaining existing rates for 100% disabled veterans. The bill directly affected disabled veterans with 60-90% service-connected disabilities (or surviving spouses) who own and occupy their primary residence as a qualifying property. The proposed changes were not enacted, as the bill was vetoed by the governor on June 9, 2025, and the veto override failed on July 14.

Maddy summarySB 484 would limit additional fees charged by ticket sellers in Montana. It prohibits resellers from charging more than $3 or 10% of the base ticket price (whichever is greater) above the printed price, and bans selling tickets above the printed price without written venue authorization. The bill directly affects ticket sellers, including resellers and venues, by setting clear caps on service charges and resale prices. Violations would be punishable as misdemeanors with fines up to $1,000 per offense.

Maddy summarySB 419 (introduced by Sen. E. Boldman) proposed changes to Montana's pension rules for legislative members regarding service credit. It would have required that legislative members receive service credit starting from when they assume office, based on their regular contributions, and mandated that retirement benefits be calculated using the pension plan rules applicable to their earliest period of paid contributions (no earlier than their start date in office), rather than potentially older rules. This bill directly affected current and future Montana legislators by altering how their legislative service time counts toward pension benefits. The bill was introduced in 2025 but died in committee on May 23, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 420 limits fees local governments can charge for children's use of parks and sports fields (excluding pools/aquatic centers) to $25 per month or $10 for a 3-day period. It applies to all children under 18 and caps fees for children's sports teams based on individual participants. The bill defines "local government" to include counties, cities, and special districts, and exempts contracts in place before July 1, 2025. This legislation directly affects how municipalities charge for recreational access for minors, aiming to reduce costs for families using public park facilities.

Maddy summarySB 425 prohibits Montana's Department of Corrections from sending inmates to out-of-state facilities if they have a child under 13 living in Montana, unless parental rights have been terminated or the incarceration is for a sexual offense. This directly affects incarcerated individuals with young children residing in Montana who might otherwise be transferred out of state. The bill amends existing law to add this restriction as a new condition for out-of-state confinement contracts. It does not change current practices for inmates with no minor children in Montana or those with terminated parental rights. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill revises the route of Montana's Lewis and Clark Highway specifically through Missoula, changing the path between South Higgins Avenue and Arthur Avenue north of 6th Street. It prohibits the highway from running through that residential area and requires the transportation department, with input from Missoula County and the city, to identify an alternate route that avoids residential neighborhoods. The rest of the highway route - connecting Idaho to Lolo, then to Missoula via U.S. Highway 93, and continuing east to North Dakota - remains unchanged. The bill directly affects Missoula residents in the affected neighborhoods and transportation planning officials.

Maddy summarySB 485 requires Montana's state and local correctional facilities to provide free hygiene and stationery items to people in custody. Specifically, facilities must supply soap, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, feminine hygiene products, letter envelopes, writing paper, and postage stamps at no cost upon admission and on request. The bill also mandates that facilities develop a distribution policy ensuring these items are accessible in medical areas and common housing, particularly for those unable to access them in general population. This bill amends existing laws to clarify these requirements and supersedes unfunded mandate laws.

Maddy summarySB 483 would revise Montana's health care laws by adding specific definitions to clarify insurance coverage processes, particularly around "step therapy" protocols. It directly affects health insurance issuers, providers, and patients by standardizing terms like "adverse determination" (denials of coverage), "clinical peer" reviews, and "step therapy" requirements. Key provisions define how insurers must review coverage requests, including requiring medical necessity justifications and establishing clearer pathways for appeals. The bill focuses on improving transparency in insurance decision-making without creating new benefits or funding. (Note: This bill died in process on May 23, 2025, and did not become law.)

Maddy summarySB 417 would require most Montana health insurance plans to cover certain injectable medicines prescribed for glucose control or weight loss in adults diagnosed with prediabetes, gestational diabetes, or obesity. Coverage must be deemed medically necessary by a physician and requires participants to join a lifestyle management program to continue treatment. The bill applies to individual and group health insurance policies but excludes Medicare Advantage plans. It amends Montana insurance law to mandate this coverage as a standard benefit.