Sen. Shane Morigeau

Maddy summarySB 547 revises Montana's disabled parking permit rules to add eligibility for pregnant women. It allows pregnant individuals certified by a physician, certified midwife, or nurse to receive a temporary disability parking permit valid for up to one year. The bill also establishes a $10 fee for this permit, with the collected funds deposited into the state general fund. These changes specifically affect pregnant residents needing short-term parking accommodations due to medical conditions, while maintaining existing eligibility criteria for other disabilities.

Maddy summarySB 225 would create a refundable income tax credit for Montana renters with household income under $45,000. The credit equals the lesser of 4% of rent paid above household income or $500, phasing out completely for incomes of $45,000 or more. It directly affects low-to-moderate-income renters who pay rent in Montana, providing a refund even if they owe no income tax. The bill also amends tax code sections to include this credit in regular review cycles and prohibits claiming it alongside the existing elderly property tax credit.

Maddy summarySB 314 prevents Montana political parties from appointing replacement candidates if the original candidate is found ineligible after the primary filing deadline. It specifically prohibits replacements when disqualification stems from constitutional requirements (like residency rules under Article IV, Section 8 of the Montana Constitution), unless a party candidate was already nominated at the primary. This change applies only when the ballot certification deadline has passed and no party candidate was nominated at the primary election. The bill directly affects political parties' ability to fill vacancies in partisan races under these specific circumstances.

Maddy summarySB 391 would revise Montana's rules for public notice and participation in open-pit mining permit applications. It requires the Department of Environmental Quality to formally respond to public comments on permit applications and updates definitions related to mining operations. This directly affects mining operators seeking permits, nearby residents (especially those within ½ mile of proposed sites), and landowners whose property may be impacted. The bill aims to strengthen public engagement by ensuring written responses to community concerns before permits are issued.

Maddy summarySB 312 removes time limits for victims to file lawsuits related to childhood sexual abuse in Montana. It allows victims to sue until age 27 or within 3 years of discovering the abuse, whichever comes later. The bill also creates new pathways to revive expired claims if the abuser admitted guilt (in writing, court, or plea) or if an organization knew about past abuse by its staff but failed to act. This directly affects survivors of childhood sexual abuse and entities like schools or religious groups that may have neglected to prevent abuse.

Maddy summarySB 530 would require Montana insurers to provide specific reasons for nonrenewing or canceling policies, rather than vague justifications. It mandates 90 days' notice for cancellations (up from 45 days in some sections), requires insurers to disclose the basis for nonrenewal upon written request within 60 days, and gives policyholders a 21-day window to correct issues that led to cancellation. The bill also prohibits insurers from using simple coverage inquiries (not actual claims) as a reason to deny renewal or increase premiums. These changes directly affect policyholders seeking to maintain insurance coverage and insurers making renewal decisions. The bill died in committee during the 2025 legislative session.

Maddy summarySB 507 would revise Montana's school and public library standards by prohibiting the exclusion of books from school libraries based on the creator's background, views, or partisan/ideological disapproval. It requires school districts to adopt policies for handling book objections (ensuring materials remain available during review) and mandates public libraries to ban viewpoint-based removals of materials. The bill also establishes reporting requirements for both school and public library challenges to the state superintendent or librarian. These changes directly affect school districts, public libraries, and their governing boards in Montana, aiming to protect access to diverse library resources.

Maddy summarySB 506 would have allowed Montana legislators to use a personal email address of their choice instead of the official legislative branch email for official communications and public contact. It required legislators who chose a personal email to manage all legislative-related communications in compliance with Montana's public records laws and the legislative branch's records management plan. The bill was procedural in nature, focusing solely on email account management, and did not involve substantive policy changes. It died in committee during the 2025 legislative session and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 313, the proposed "Wage Opportunity and Transparency Act," would require Montana employers to list salary ranges in all job postings and prohibit wage discrimination based on sex (including gender identity). It bans employers from asking about applicants' prior salary history and prevents retaliation for discussing pay. The bill creates a process for employees to file complaints with the Commissioner and pursue civil lawsuits for unpaid wage differences, with remedies including back pay and liquidated damages. This bill died in the legislative process in May 2025 and never became law.

Maddy summarySB 389 requires self-storage facility operators to make reasonable efforts to re-lease vacated spaces if renters leave early, aiming to minimize the financial loss the renter would otherwise owe. This duty applies when a renter terminates a lease before its end, obligating operators to actively seek new tenants rather than simply charging the full remaining rent. The bill directly affects self-storage businesses and their renters by changing how operators handle early lease terminations. It would have amended Montana law (Title 70, Chapter 6, Part 6) to include this mitigation requirement.