Sen. Greg Hertz

Maddy summarySB 534 provides a property tax exemption for specific wireless infrastructure in Montana. This bill exempts qualifying wireless infrastructure, placed into service on or after the act's effective date, from property taxes for an initial period of five years. Following this, the exemption gradually phases out over the next five years, after which the property becomes fully taxable. To maintain the exemption, owners must reinvest the tax savings into new communication infrastructure within Montana, without charging those costs to consumers.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 335, known as the "Montana Dental Insurance Transparency and Accountability Act," establishes new regulations for dental insurance companies in Montana. It requires dental insurers to annually report their "dental loss ratio" (DLR), which measures the percentage of premium dollars spent on patient care, to the state's commissioner of securities and insurance. This reported DLR information, along with other plan details, will be made publicly available online for consumers to compare plans. The bill also mandates consumer rebates from dental insurers if their aggregated dental loss ratio falls below a certain threshold over a three-year period. This act applies to individual and group dental insurance plans, but excludes health plans with embedded dental benefits already subject to federal medical loss ratio requirements, as well as Medicaid and Healthy Montana Kids plans.

Maddy summarySB 53 generally revises Montana's income tax laws to implement conforming changes based on prior income tax simplification legislation. The bill updates marital filing status references and provides an extension for tax filing deadlines when they fall on a recognized federal holiday. It also clarifies what constitutes a qualified withdrawal from an education savings account by referencing the Internal Revenue Code and removes a requirement for an estate tax certificate in probate proceedings. These changes primarily affect Montana taxpayers and those involved in estate administration.

Maddy summarySB 544 revises Montana's individual income tax laws to allow taxpayers an election to account for certain past net operating losses. It directly affects individuals who had differences between their federal and Montana net operating loss carryovers before January 1, 2024. These taxpayers can choose to make a "transition adjustment" on their 2024 income tax return, filed by October 15, 2025, to address these discrepancies. If elected, this adjustment can reduce Montana taxable income for 2024 and up to seven subsequent years until the loss is fully utilized. The bill aims to provide a mechanism for individuals to claim losses not fully recognized under previous 2021 tax simplification legislation.

Maddy summarySB 39 revises the process for awarding attorney fees in civil lawsuits, especially those challenging a state statute or administrative rule. It requires that all attorney fee awards must be reasonable and sets specific requirements for how attorneys must document their work and expenses when requesting fees. The bill also establishes a rebuttable presumption that certain practices, like sending multiple attorneys to a deposition or charging for basic office costs, are unreasonable. Additionally, when attorney fees are awarded against the state, courts must consider the hourly rate charged by the state's attorney.

Maddy summarySB 133 revises the laws governing impact fees that local governments charge on new development. The bill removes the ability for governmental entities to include an administrative fee within impact charges and limits impact fee increases to the rate of inflation. It also updates definitions related to these fees and details the required documentation for their calculation, such as a service area report.

Maddy summarySB 183 amends Montana law to require an outfitter endorsement for individuals seeking or renewing a guide's license. This means new guide applicants must be endorsed by a licensed outfitter, in addition to meeting other requirements like age and having a valid conservation license. For license renewals, the application must be signed by an outfitter employing the guide, or it will be denied. The bill directly affects individuals who want to become or remain licensed guides, as well as the outfitters who employ and endorse them.

Maddy summarySB 214 revises zoning laws to clarify decisions regarding property use and prior nonconforming uses. The bill mandates that if zoning regulations are ambiguous about a property's use or a nonconforming use, the interpretation must favor the property's use. It also removes the ability of historic preservation boards to review applications for zoning permits and variances. This legislation primarily affects property owners and local zoning authorities by establishing clearer rules for interpreting and enforcing zoning regulations.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 511 revises the state's laws related to litigation financing. It amends the existing Litigation Financing Transparency and Consumer Protection Act and creates a new Foreign Investment in Litigation Financing Act. The bill prohibits certain foreign entities from providing litigation funding and requires foreign persons involved in such financing to register and comply with transparency rules. Additionally, it updates various definitions concerning consumers, legal claims, and litigation financing contracts.

Maddy summarySB 392 establishes the Laverne Parrish Memorial Highway on a section of existing State Highway 93 (mile marker 48 to 51). It directs the Department of Transportation to install signs marking this section and to include the memorial highway on future state maps.