Sen. Greg Hertz

Maddy summarySB 254 prohibits Montana local governments (including counties, cities, towns, and school districts) and judicial officers from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay organizations that hire lobbyists on their behalf. It allows public officials to use public funds for travel and expenses related to lobbying on behalf of their entity, following standard per diem rates. The bill also enables taxpayers or residents to sue to stop prohibited spending and recover attorney fees if they win such cases, ensuring government entities cannot use taxpayer money to influence legislation through lobbying.

Maddy summarySB 336 clarifies that short-term rentals (like Airbnb stays under 30 days) are considered residential uses, not commercial, unless explicitly prohibited by local zoning. It requires municipalities to allow short-term rentals in any zone permitting residential use (e.g., single-family homes, condos) unless banned entirely across the entire area. The bill specifically protects property owners from restrictions that would prevent renting out their primary residence or adjacent properties (e.g., a guest house on the same lot or a neighboring home sharing a boundary). Existing short-term rentals meeting state licensing and tax rules when new restrictions take effect are treated as "legal nonconforming uses," allowing them to continue operating.

Maddy summaryThe bill titled "SB 346: Revise workers' compensation laws" appears to be mislabeled. The provided bill text actually describes **Senate Bill No. 364** (not 346), which establishes rules for "kill switches" in electronic devices. This bill requires a warrant for entities to remotely disable a *personally owned* electronic consumer product (including motor vehicles) unless specific exceptions apply (e.g., unpaid subscriptions, safety features like automatic braking during medical emergencies). It also allows individuals to sue for $10,000 per violation. The bill was withdrawn and died in process in 2025 and does not relate to workers' compensation. *(Note: The query incorrectly references "SB 346" and a workers' compensation title, but the text provided matches SB 364, which addresses kill switches.)*

Maddy summarySB 327 does not change motor vehicle registration fees themselves but revises the formula for distributing revenue from vehicle-related fees to local governments. It amends Montana law (sections 15-1-121, 15-1-122, 61-3-321, and 61-3-562) to adjust how entitlement share payments are calculated for counties, cities, and towns. The bill updates the growth rate calculation for these payments, basing it on specific state revenue sources like vehicle fees (from section 61-3-321) and income taxes, rather than using the previous method. This directly affects all local governments receiving these annual revenue distributions. The bill was referred to the Taxation committee and died in committee in May 2025.

Maddy summarySB 345 would change how medical evidence is evaluated in Montana workers' compensation cases. It removes automatic preference for treating physicians' opinions, requiring courts to weigh medical testimony based on the provider's qualifications, experience with the specific worker, and credibility. The bill also limits discovery about independent medical examiners (IMEs) to their training, exam volume, and payments from insurers, aiming to reduce bias concerns. These changes directly affect workers seeking compensation, insurers requesting medical evaluations, and medical providers involved in these cases. The bill was introduced in 2025 but died in committee before becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 260 establishes procedures for altering the boundaries of hospital and school service districts. It allows real property owners to petition for these changes if they have difficulty accessing public services or to improve public safety services like law enforcement, firefighting, or emergency medical services. The process involves petitions, public hearings, and election procedures to transfer property between existing districts or create new divisions. The bill also provides for sharing tax collections and making reconciliation payments between districts when boundaries are altered.

Maddy summarySB 326 revises Montana's MEDIA Act film tax credits, extending them through 2045 and increasing the aggregate credit limit. The bill provides additional tax credits for production companies that hire veterans and enrolled tribal members. It establishes a fee for unused allocated credits, with these funds directed to a new film industry workforce training account to support workforce development. These changes aim to expand job opportunities and encourage investment in Montana's media manufacturing sector.

Maddy summarySB 337 creates a temporary property tax exemption for land undergoing residential subdivision development. Developers can qualify by applying to the department and prepaying five times the most recent annual property taxes and assessments for the property. This exemption applies to the real property within the subdivision for up to five years, or until a habitable dwelling is built on an individual lot, or until 95% of the lots in the subdivision contain habitable dwellings. The bill's provisions apply to property tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 492 revises the business disclosure statement requirements for statewide and state district elected officials, candidates for these offices, department directors, and individuals appointed to fill these positions. The bill modifies the thresholds for disclosing financial interests, requiring officials to report ownership of more than 10% in most businesses and real property (excluding personal residences), and more than 1% in publicly traded companies. It also clarifies the deadlines for filing these statements and allows individuals to certify if their previously submitted information has not changed. These disclosure statements are made available to the public.

Maddy summarySB 393 appropriates $6 million from the state's general fund for the biennium starting July 1, 2025, to reimburse expenditures related to felony criminal jurisdiction on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The funding is distributed to Lake County and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Initial funds are contingent upon Lake County rescinding its resolution to withdraw from Public Law 280. Further distributions require an agreement between the state, Lake County, and the Tribes addressing cost-sharing for Public Law 280 implementation within Lake County, and Lake County's ability to withdraw consent for jurisdiction is restricted until at least June 2027.