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MontanaHB 5569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revising public utility resource planning laws

Sponsored By: Gary Parry (Republican)

Became Law

AppropriationsEnergyUtilities

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Carbon rules for gas and coal

Starting July 1, 2025, if the commission approves buying or leasing a gas‑fired facility built after January 1, 2007, the applicant must use cost‑effective carbon offsets. The utility can recover offset costs in rates, which can raise customer bills. For coal‑fired facilities built after January 1, 2007, the commission may not approve an acquisition or lease unless at least 50% of the carbon dioxide is captured and sequestered; captured CO2 can be stored offsite. This coal rule applies until broader state or federal CO2 capture standards are in place.

Independent checks on utility bidding

Starting July 1, 2025, an independent evaluator must oversee most competitive bids for new power and capacity (not short‑term needs under 12 months or opportunity resources). The commission keeps a vetted list of evaluators, updates it at least every three years, and adopts selection and scope rules by July 1, 2026, with public input. Once selected, the utility must sign a contract with the evaluator. The evaluator monitors fairness, reports problems, and files a public closing report before final selection. That report goes into later rate cases, and the evaluator can take part in those cases.

Stronger utility planning and public input

Beginning July 1, 2025, utilities must file a least‑cost resource plan every three years and show full forecasts, reserves, and two scenarios for more renewables and efficiency. Before filing, each utility must hold at least four public meetings in Montana. After filing, the commission holds at least two public meetings and reviews a complete plan within 120 days, with at least 60 days for public comment. The Department of Environmental Quality reviews plans and coordinates agency comments. Utilities must keep a broad advisory committee and make meetings open unless a majority votes to close. The commission can start pre‑application reviews and must follow clear deadlines: 45 days to judge application adequacy, 180 days to decide many existing‑resource contracts, and 270 days for new builds or acquisitions, with limited extensions, including for air permit delays.

Oversight fees in rates, with caps

Beginning July 1, 2025, the commission can charge utilities fees to select independent evaluators and to hire outside consultants. Utilities can recover these oversight costs in customer rates, which can raise your electric bill. The law directs certain fees into a state special revenue account and treats some fees as financing costs under a financing order. Most commission fees are capped at $500 each, with some specified exceptions. The law also gives the commission $200,000 for the biennium starting July 1, 2025; because this appropriation is included, the consultant‑fee authority applies.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Gary Parry

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 392 • No: 99

House vote • 4/22/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 63 • No: 35

House vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 86 • No: 11

House vote • 4/15/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 4/3/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 46 • No: 4

House vote • 1/21/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 74 • No: 25

House vote • 1/20/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 74 • No: 24

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/16/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/12/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/5/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/2/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/1/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/24/2025House

  7. First Reading

    4/24/2025Senate

  8. Sent to Enrolling

    4/22/2025House

  9. 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate

    4/22/2025House

  10. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred

    4/18/2025House

  11. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/15/2025Senate

  12. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/15/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report--Bill Concurred

    4/14/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred

    4/14/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    4/12/2025Senate

  16. Hearing

    4/11/2025Senate

  17. Rereferred to Committee

    4/3/2025Senate

  18. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/3/2025Senate

  19. Committee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/1/2025Senate

  20. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended

    3/25/2025Senate

  21. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended

    3/25/2025Senate

  22. Hearing

    2/13/2025Senate

  23. Referred to Committee

    2/11/2025Senate

  24. First Reading

    1/22/2025Senate

  25. Transmitted to Senate

    1/21/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/22/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    4/1/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    1/16/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    12/11/2024

    PDF

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