All Roll Calls
Yes: 523 • No: 220
MontanaHB 569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET
Long-range building appropriations
Sponsored By: John Fitzpatrick (Republican)
Became Law
AppropriationsState GovernmentBuildings and Building RegulationsState Finance
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Major funding for state buildings
The law moves big money into state construction and repairs. It transfers $150,000,000 to the capital developments account by June 30, 2027, and $2,000,000 to DEQ for leaking petroleum tank cleanup by July 1, 2025. It gives $50,000,000 for Capitol complex deferred maintenance, with no funds for leased space or added square footage, and sets up to $2,800,000 for Capitol complex major repairs in the 2027 biennium. It funds statewide major repairs and capital projects across agencies, including Military Affairs work, and lets the Department of Administration manage and adjust projects with oversight. It also adds operating funds for new facilities, such as $1,300,000 for DOC housing expansion and $50,876 for a DNRC Missoula office, and raises the legislative branch’s prior appropriation from $12.5 million to $15 million.
Energy savings and repair priorities
Capital projects must be checked for energy and utility savings. If savings are found, the project is sent to the State Building Energy Conservation Program for funding that offsets or adds to its budget. The law also raises the major repair dollar cutoff to $300,000 and requires at least 80% of major repair money go to safety, structural, and energy or utility savings needs. No more than 20% may go to remodeling, aesthetics, or additions.
More funding for parks and habitat
The law funds many Fish, Wildlife, and Parks projects across the state, including park and fishing access maintenance and grants. It provides $12,000,000 for Habitat Montana, $500,000 for fishing access site acquisition, and $18,000,000 in enhanced Habitat Montana funding. These dollars support land buys, leases, easements, and access or habitat work.
More funding for behavioral health facilities
The state shifts $26,500,000 by June 30, 2026 to help build a behavioral health facility, after the budget director approves a plan for the type and location. Any unspent funds go back to the capital developments account. The law also adjusts a prior behavioral health capital appropriation (about $28.5 million) and gives DPHHS $10,000,000 for program expansion or operations and maintenance in the year starting July 1, 2026, with intent to add this to its base budget on July 1, 2027. OBPP can redirect Montana State Hospital capital funds from Spratt Building upgrades to other hospital capital needs under existing rules.
Earlier plans and small-building exemption
Agencies must submit long‑range building plans and six‑year facility strategies by April 1 of the year before a session, not July 1. State‑owned buildings under $300,000 in replacement value are excluded from the statewide facility inventory and condition assessment.
Faster cheaper state construction projects
The Department of Administration can extend design and construction contracts to speed expanded projects. It may prioritize bunkhouse and office additions in Helena, Libby, and Plains to meet the law’s intent. It must also bundle electrical generator purchases and installs into one bid to streamline buying and cut costs.
Stronger planning and project guardrails
Agencies can start planning and design early using interentity loans, so work does not wait for final funds. Projects that depend on other money cannot go to bid until the director approves a funding plan and an agency agreement. Agencies must report the status of outside funds each regular session until construction starts or the project is canceled. The Military Affairs department may use the capital reserve for listed projects found after passage, but it must submit a task-by-task description and budget for review, and the budget director can approve, change, or deny it.
Updates to earlier project budgets
The law revises prior capital project amounts for listed projects, including DPHHS Montana State Hospital compliance work and some university projects. If this act and House Bill 217 both became law, a referenced section now names the Department of Administration’s architecture and engineering division instead of DEQ for that duty.
Campus projects and new limits
The Montana University System gets $20,000,000 in authority‑only funds for campus projects, with a $2,500,000 cap per project. MUS must pay all operations and maintenance for these improvements from nonstate sources. The law also merges the UM Forestry Conservation & Science Lab with the Clapp Building replacement into one facility on the same site. The new facility cannot be larger than the existing Clapp Building and cannot add or move programs outside what the legislature considered.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
John Fitzpatrick
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/29/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 79 • No: 19
House vote • 4/28/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 83 • No: 17
House vote • 4/25/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 43 • No: 6
House vote • 4/23/2025
Do Concur As Amended
Yes: 47 • No: 3
House vote • 4/23/2025
AMD-HB005.003.002 Boldman D/PASS
Yes: 50 • No: 0
House vote • 3/27/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 83 • No: 16
House vote • 3/26/2025
AMD-HB0005.002.001 Falk DO PASS
Yes: 34 • No: 65
House vote • 3/26/2025
AMD-HB0005.002.003 Vinton DO PASS
Yes: 21 • No: 78
House vote • 3/26/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 83 • No: 16
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
6/20/2025HouseSigned by Governor
6/19/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
6/10/2025HouseSigned by President
6/9/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
6/2/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
4/30/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
4/29/2025House3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate
4/29/2025House2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred
4/28/2025HouseReturned to House with Amendments
4/25/2025Senate3rd Reading Concurred
4/25/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred as Amended
4/23/2025Senate2nd Reading Motion to Amend Carried
4/23/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended
4/17/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended
4/16/2025SenateHearing
4/2/2025SenateReferred to Committee
4/1/2025SenateFirst Reading
3/28/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
3/27/2025House3rd Reading Passed
3/27/2025House2nd Reading Passed
3/26/2025House2nd Reading Motion to Amend Failed
3/26/2025House2nd Reading Motion to Amend Failed
3/26/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Passed as Amended
3/20/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended
3/19/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/29/2025
As Amended (Version 4)
4/23/2025
As Amended (Version 3)
4/17/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
3/20/2025
Introduced
12/11/2024