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MontanaHB 17169th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Eliminate Montana alfalfa seed committee

Sponsored By: Eric Tilleman (Republican)

Became Law

AgricultureRule MakingState Government

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Committee ends and leftover funds moved

Effective July 1, 2026, the law eliminates the Montana alfalfa seed committee and repeals many related bee and seed rules. Producers may have fewer committee-run requirements and penalties but lose that program’s oversight and support. Beginning July 1, 2025, and no later than June 30, 2026, the Department must move any unspent money in the alfalfa seed account to the state general fund.

Alfalfa seed assessment payments repealed

Effective July 1, 2025, the law repeals the alfalfa seed assessment and payment rules in sections 80-11-307 and 80-11-308. If you paid that assessment, you no longer owe it under those statutes. The law does not set a new assessment or fee in its place.

New rules and testing for alfalfa bees

Beginning July 1, 2025, you cannot possess alfalfa leaf-cutting bees unless they are registered with the Department of Agriculture. You must complete the department form, list your name, address, and the general location of your bees, and pay a fee set by rule. Your registration stays in effect until you cancel it. The Department can run a lab to test bees and related equipment and may charge for those tests. The Department sets these fees by rule and manages a leaf-cutting bee account that holds fees, any assessment money directed to it, and donations.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Eric Tilleman

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Wendy McKamey

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 459 • No: 30

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 98 • No: 1

House vote • 4/7/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 35 • No: 14

House vote • 4/5/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 32 • No: 13

House vote • 1/28/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 97 • No: 2

House vote • 1/27/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 98 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/8/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/5/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/25/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    4/25/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/23/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/14/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/11/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate

    4/11/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred

    4/11/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/7/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/7/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/5/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/2/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/1/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    2/5/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Committee

    2/4/2025Senate

  17. First Reading

    1/29/2025Senate

  18. Transmitted to Senate

    1/28/2025House

  19. 3rd Reading Passed

    1/28/2025House

  20. 2nd Reading Passed

    1/27/2025House

  21. Committee Report--Bill Passed

    1/16/2025House

  22. Fiscal Note Printed

    1/16/2025House

  23. Fiscal Note Signed

    1/16/2025House

  24. Fiscal Note Received

    1/15/2025House

  25. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed

    1/14/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/14/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    4/2/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/10/2025

    PDF

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