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MontanaHB 21769th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Transfer the state building energy conservation program to the Dept. of Administration A&E division

Sponsored By: John Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Became Law

EnergyAppropriationsState Government

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

DEQ keeps federal ARRA energy funds

Beginning July 1, 2025, DEQ keeps federal ARRA funds tied to the earlier state building energy program. That includes post‑2025 transfers related to unpaid project balances and interest, and interest earned on short‑term investments. DEQ may use the money only as allowed by federal rules and U.S. Department of Energy guidance.

State energy program moves to Administration

Beginning July 1, 2025, the state moves the building energy conservation program from DEQ to the Department of Administration’s Architecture and Engineering division. The division finds buildings with savings potential, picks sites for deeper study, and sends a report to the governor by September 1 every even-numbered year. State agencies must provide building and utility data when asked. The division can analyze utility data, hire private engineers, shift funds or authority to agencies to deliver projects, train staff, and monitor savings. It ensures bond‑funded projects save enough to cover debt service.

Energy projects must pay for themselves

Beginning July 1, 2025, the division selects projects only when estimated energy savings exceed bond costs, or exceed the project cost plus interest. The division sets the program’s interest rate each year by July 1, capped at 3%. Agencies send their estimated energy savings into a repayment account each biennium and keep paying until the project cost plus 3% annual interest on the unpaid balance is repaid. Money in the repayment account funds analyses, oversight, and monitoring; if more than $2,000,000 is left unencumbered at biennium end, the excess moves to the capital projects account. The capital projects account pays for buying, installing, and building energy‑saving upgrades in state buildings.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • John Fitzpatrick

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 582 • No: 8

House vote • 4/8/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote • 4/7/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 96 • No: 0

House vote • 4/4/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 47 • No: 2

House vote • 4/3/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 44 • No: 6

House vote • 2/5/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 100 • No: 0

House vote • 2/3/2025

Do Pass As Amended

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 2/3/2025

AMD-HB0217.001.001 Fitzpatrick J DO PASS

Yes: 99 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/5/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/1/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/22/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    4/21/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/18/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/9/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/8/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate

    4/8/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred

    4/7/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/4/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/4/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/3/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/1/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended

    3/31/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    3/12/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Committee

    2/20/2025Senate

  17. First Reading

    2/6/2025Senate

  18. Transmitted to Senate

    2/5/2025House

  19. 3rd Reading Passed

    2/5/2025House

  20. 2nd Reading Passed as Amended

    2/3/2025House

  21. 2nd Reading Motion to Amend Carried

    2/3/2025House

  22. Committee Report--Bill Passed

    1/30/2025House

  23. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed

    1/30/2025House

  24. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed

    1/30/2025House

  25. Fiscal Note Printed

    1/22/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    4/1/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    2/3/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/15/2025

    PDF

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