April 28 - May 2, 2025

What a ride.

The 69th Montana Legislature awkwardly lurched to its conclusion on Wednesday, but not before the Senate, true to form, took its members on an emotional roller coaster more intense than Japan’s Do-Dodonpa thrill ride which launched passengers from zero to 180 km (112 mph) in 1.56 seconds and was forced to shut down after reports of neck and backbone fractures.

The House and Senate dedicated much of their time on the final day to heartfelt speeches by termed-out members; expressions of gratitude to each other, to staff, to constituents; and reflections on accomplishments and bi-partisan successes. The House adjourned sine die with relative peace in the valley, angry grudges over the property tax bills thinly veiled if only for a moment. Down east in the Senate, farewell speeches continued, gifts were exchanged, tears were shed, and a warm glow filled the chamber. Leadership had wisely scheduled the feel-good portion of the agenda before Item No. 9: Motions. And then like a snow squall on March Montana day, the clouds rolled back in and blacked out the sun. A rules change on interim select committee appointments and an effort to resurrect a bill to increase fees on luxury vehicles cast the chamber back into cage fight posture. It took a few tries and some final gnashing of teeth but the Senators finally voted to retreat to their separate corners. 

Dialogue during these last few weeks has been an ode to worn-out metaphors, endlessly repeated phrases, malaprops, and bad analogies. Here are some of the gems, in order of frequency of use:

  • “The cake is baked” and its variation “It's baked in”
  • “You can put lipstick on this pig but it’s still a pig”
  • “We need to put some sideboards on this thing”
  • “This bill is nothing but smoke and mirrors”
  • “You’re killing the golden goose” and its variation “You’re shooting the golden goose in the head”
  • “You are spending like drunken sailors”
  • “How many times do we need to kill this zombie"

Cliches aside, eloquence was not entirely lacking, and wisdom, thoughtfulness, cooler heads, and sound policymaking broke through on many occasions.

Positive Outlook for Budget and Infrastructure

The Governor now gets his say on much of what remains to be settled, including the final state budget, but the MUS rode out the 86 days in good shape. This outcome is a testament to the strength of the system in an era when many other state legislatures are cutting funds for higher education.

HB 2
The version of HB 2 that the Governor will receive includes the OCHE/MUS present law adjustments to its base budget, plus funding for:

  • Montana 10 (OTO);
  • Continuation of One-Two-Free and extension of the program to community colleges and tribal colleges;
  • UM NAGPRA compliance (OTO);
  • MSUN Meat Processing (OTO);
  • MAES Value Added Initiative (OTO); and
  • Graduate Medical Education increases.

HB 5
As it has returned from Enrolling on its way to the Governor, HB 5 includes:

  • $24,655,000 in Major Repair Projects for a total of 22 projects across the campuses and agencies of the MUS;
  • $65,930,000 for eight Capital Development Projects, which will be presented to the Board of Regents as individual projects when they begin the planning and design process; and
  • $140,100,000 for 12 Authority-only projects, which will be presented to the Board of Regents as individual projects when they begin the planning and design process.

HB 10
The Enrolled version of HB 10 includes just over $5 million for CyberMontana (Security Operations Center, Workforce Training Programs, Cyber Policy Clinic), Security Information and Event Management (SIEM), Enterprise Resource Planning and System Replacement (combined appropriation for Miles Community College, Flathead Valley Community College, and Dawson Community College).

In Sum

In the end, OCHE’s legislative team tracked a total of 529 requests, 196 of which (37%) were introduced. Legislator requests totaled 4495, 1757 of which (39%) were introduced.

The chart below indicates the latest status of most of the bills OCHE flagged as extremely important, pretty important, or potentially pretty important. Changes may still come in the form of Gubernatorial vetoes and the impact of coordination language, but those that are shaded now indeed belong to the ages. Those that have been assigned a chapter number or submitted to the Secretary of State are entirely through the process.

Status upon Adjournment

Bill No.

Short Title

Description

Status at Transmittal

HB 2

General appropriations act

Appropriates state agency funding for the 2027 Biennium.

(H) Sent to Enrolling

 

HB 5

Long-range building appropriations

Appropriates funding and grants authority for capital projects and maintenance.

 

(H) Returned from Enrolling

HB 7

Reclamation and development grants

An appropriations is included for Montana Technological University Phytomining Remediation and Minerals Recovery Demonstration.

(H) Signed by Speaker

HB 10

Long-range information technology

Appropriates funding for state IT projects

 

(H) Returned from Enrolling

 

HB 13

State employee pay plan

Implements negotiated pay plan for state employees.

Chapter Number Assigned

 

HB 47

Revise state building energy conservation program

 

Removes the DEQ’s authority to issue bonds in alignment with Legislative and Executive direction to reduce bond liability exposure.  

A partner bill, HB 217, transfers the SBECP (State Building Energy Conservation Program) from DEQ to State AE (DOA). Streamlines program’s administration as State AE is responsible for planning, design, construction of state facilities.

(H) Transmitted to Governor

HB 113

Revise resident preferences for public contracts and contract term limits

Requires Department of Administration to determine the residency of contractors who bid on public contracts for construction, repair, and public works or public contracts for the purchase of goods.

(H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal

HB 121

Provide privacy in certain restrooms, changing rooms, and sleeping quarters

 

Requires "covered entities" to "designate each multi-occupancy restroom, changing room, or sleeping quarters for the exclusive use of females or males." In the bill, a covered entity is considered to be a correctional center, a juvenile detention facility, a local domestic violence program, a public building, or a public school. The bill provides that a person may bring a private cause of action against a covered entity that has not complied with the requirements if the person encounters another individual of the opposite sex in the restroom or changing room.

(H) Signed by Governor*

 *Through the Legislative process; temporarily blocked by a judge.

HB 153

Revise laws related to school funding interim commission

The commission conducting the decennial study will include representation from the Board of Regents and create as part of the study an "innovation and excellence in education working group to develop recommendations, objectives, and an implementation plan ... to improve the basic system of free, quality, public elementary and secondary schools.”

(H) Signed by Speaker

HB 163

Provide health care preceptor individual income tax credit

Allows for an income tax credit for a taxpayer who serves as a preceptor of a student enrolled in an eligible health care training program with an income tax credit.

(H) Missed Deadline for Revenue Bill Transmittal

HB 252

Create the student and teacher advancement for results and success act (STARS)

Revises K-12 school funding laws.

(H) Signed by Speaker 

HB 284

Establish an interim committee to investigate civil rights violations and censorship within the MUS

Creates an interim committee to “investigate civil rights violations and acts of censorship committed by the Montana University System.” The committee would “gather testimony on the record from Montana students on any civil rights violations or acts of censorship that the students have experienced or witnessed at Montana public universities and colleges and make findings and recommendations for state and federal officials.”

(H) Signed by Speaker

HB 300

Generally revise laws related to discrimination in education

Makes it an unlawful discriminatory practice "for an educational institution to allow a male person to participate in athletic programs designated for female persons” and for an educational institution to “fail to provide a person with access to a restroom, locker room, shower area, or sleeping quarter that is inaccessible by a person of the opposite sex while in use.”

(H) Signed by Governor

HB 336

Provide for apprenticeship programs for certain license types

Requires certain professional boards to grant a license to a person who completes a nationally recognized apprenticeship.

(H) Transmitted to Governor

HB 400

Enact the "Free to Speak Act"

Applies to all public school students and staff, including those at postsecondary institutions. Provides that a student or employee may not be disciplined and the state may not take an adverse action against a student or employee for declining to:

  • identify a person's pronouns; or
  • address a person by using a name other than the person's legal name or a derivative of the person's legal name or by using a pronoun or a title that is inconsistent with the person's sex. 

(H) Transmitted to Governor

HB 499

Extend the grow your own grant program

Extends the Grow Your Own grant program administered by OCHE another two years, moving the program’s termination date from 2027 to 2029, as well as provides that postsecondary institutions are eligible for grants. A $500,000 appropriation from the general fund to OCHE is attached to this proposal, with the intention that the amount be considered part of the ongoing OCHE base budget.

(H) Returned from Enrolling

HB 553

Generally revise military higher education act

Requires faculty of an institution of higher education under the jurisdiction of the BOR to give a student who is a member of a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces or the Montana National Guard at least 15 business days to make up a missed assignment, exam, midterm, or final if the student misses the work because of inactive duty training or annual training.

Requires the student to provide notice to the faculty prior to the absence.

(H) Transmitted to Governor

HB 618

Provide for a Montana individual freedom act

Proposes new law to prohibit “state and local government agencies … from expending funds for memberships, goods, or services from organizations that discriminate and from expending funds on diversity, equity, and inclusion or on political or social activism.” The attorney general is tasked with review and approval of certain programs and activities.

(H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal

HB 631

Revise student online protection laws related to postsecondary opportunities

Provides that the term “K-12 school purposes” in the Montana Pupil Online Personal Information Protection Act does not include courses that are provided for the purpose of postsecondary credit or work-based learning courses provided by a work-based learning partner.

(H) Transmitted to Governor

HB 635

Revise human rights laws to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs

 

Prohibits a state or local government agency from spending public funds on a DEI program or employing an individual whose duties include creating or operating a DEI program.

Defines DEI, divisive concepts, race or sex scapegoating, and race or sex stereotyping and provides investigative authority to the attorney general. The bill includes a right of private action and penalties.

(H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal

HB 663

Revise education laws related to diversity, equity, and inclusion

 

Prohibits consideration of race, color, ethnicity, or national origin by institutions of higher education in hiring, admissions, participation, benefits, scholarships, and financial aid. It creates a private cause of action and compensatory damages, punitive damages, statutory damages, and injunctive and declaratory relief.

An adopted amendment strikes language that would have prohibited an institution from revealing to admissions or financial aid officers data concerning the race, color, national origin, or ethnicity of any applicant or student before admissions and financial aid, scholarship, and funding decisions are made.

(S) Tabled in Committee

HB 718

Generally revise laws relating to incarceration

 

Establishes Office of Re-entry Services in Department of Labor to create a collaborative effort among state agencies to coordinate supportive services for individuals exiting or preparing to exit incarceration and reenter communities in Montana, including skilled-trade and apprenticeship programs; job placement; workforce and supportive services, including career education; the availability of and access to online certificate training programs; and the availability of and access to general or secondary education programs.

(H) Transmitted to Governor

HB 771

Revise university system laws to remove barriers to freshmen living off campus

 

Prohibits university or college facility from requiring a student to live in an on-campus housing facility as a condition of enrollment or attendance at any unit of the MUS if the student lives with an immediate family member at the family member's principal residence.

(H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal

HB 823

Revise laws relating to the state plan committee

 

Requires the Commissioner of Higher Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction to update the state plan for career and technical education as required by the Perkins grant.

(H) Transmitted to Governor

HB 860

Provide for veterinary training loan program

Establish a veterinary training program for underserved areas in rural Montana., providing incentives for students pursuing a doctor of veterinary medicine program to locate their veterinary practice in rural Montana communities and to meet the needs of those owning animals in underserved areas.

(H) Signed by Speaker

HJ 67

Study resolution on impacts of federal funding changes on OPI and OCHE

Requests the Legislative Finance Committee to analyze the impact of federal policy and funding changes on OPI and OCHE operations and budgets

(H) 2nd Reading not Passed

SB 33

State buildings subject to building code review

Transfers authority and responsibility for plan review, permitting, inspection, and building code enforcement for public buildings owned or operated by state agencies to the Department of Labor and Industry

(S) Signed by Governor

SB 44

Generally revise laws regarding separation of powers doctrine

Revises and codifies laws regarding the separation of powers doctrine and define in the Montana Code Annotated the powers of the Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch, the Judicial Branch, the Board of Regents, and the Board of Public Education.

(S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal

SB 118

Generally revise student data laws to enhance privacy

Establishes K-12 students' right to be forgotten; increases student data privacy protections in statewide K-12 student data system and in the work of the Education and Workforce Data Governing Board.

(H) Tabled in Committee

SB 210

Revise board of regents laws to remove statutory requirement for student regent

Strikes language requiring a student regent on the Board of Regents.

(S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal

SB 216

Creating the Montana physicians’ workforce investment act

Creates a grant program in Department of Labor and Industry to support graduate medical education in Montana.

(S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal

SB 267

Provide a tax credit for charitable gifts to public infrastructure

Provides an income tax credit for charitable gifts to public infrastructure, which would include a project owned by the state or local government that is used to provide to the general public educational needs, among others.

(S) Missed Deadline for Revenue Bill Transmittal

SB 271

Remove prohibition on certain compensation for collegiate student-athlete's name/image/likeness

 

Removes the prohibition on a postsecondary institution or athletic association, conference, or organization with authority over intercollegiate sports from providing a prospective or current student athlete compensation for use of the athlete's name, image, or likeness.

(S) Transmitted to Governor

SB 320

Create Montana-Ireland trade commission

Includes the Commissioner of Higher Education or a designee on the trade commission.

(S) Signed by Governor

SB 331

Require state buildings to have automatic fire sprinklers or suppression systems

Requires all state buildings have automatic fire sprinkler or fire suppression systems installed.

(S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal

SB 474

Require acceptance of religious and personal medical exemptions to required immunizations

Provides that a person enrolled or seeking to enroll in school may attend the school without obtaining required immunizations if the person files with the governing authority a signed statement, letter, or notarized affidavit on a form stating that immunization is contrary to religious tenets and practices of the signer.

(H) Taken from Committee; Placed on 2nd Reading

SB 476

Defining separation of powers

Defines powers of the Executive Branch, the Judicial Branch, and the Legislative Branch as those enumerated by the Constitution and granted by law. Specifies that Executive Branch power includes authority of the Board of Regents and the Board of Public Education to perform duties provided by law.

(S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal

SB 478

Require higher education institutions to pay medical costs associated with mandated COVID–19 vaccinations

Requires institutions of higher education to pay medical costs related to required Covid-19 vaccinations.

(S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal

SB 482

Revise contract laws relating to student athletes

Requires a written contract relating to student athletes’ NIL.

(S) Transmitted to Governor 

SJ 7

Joint resolution to support shooting competition as a collegiate sport

 

Resolves that the Montana Legislature encourages the units of the Montana University System to utilize university resources and to partner with nonuniversity personnel and entities to facilitate shooting sports competitions as collegiate sports and to develop endowments and offer scholarships for enrolled students competing in shooting sports.

(S) Returned from Enrolling

SR 69

Confirm governor's appointee for the board of regents of higher education

Confirmation of Regent Folkvord

(S) Filed with Secretary of State

SR 70

Confirm governor's appointee for the board of regents of higher education

Confirmation of Regent Hoyer

(S) Filed with Secretary of State

SR 71

Confirm governor's appointee for the board of regents of higher education

Confirmation of Regent Mortenson

(S) Filed with Secretary of State

 

Time Served

Percent complete: 100%
Status: On Parole