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MontanaHB 5569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Revising public utility resource planning laws

Sponsored By: Gary Parry (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationsEnergyUtilities

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Independent watchdog for utility purchases

Beginning July 1, 2025, utilities that seek to recover costs for new power resources must run a competitive bid overseen by an independent evaluator. The commission keeps an approved evaluator list and sets rules by July 1, 2026; the utility must sign a contract with the evaluator. Evaluators monitor fairness, flag problems, publish a closing report, and may intervene in later cost‑recovery cases. Short buys under 12 months and certain “opportunity resources” are exempt.

More public input in utility plans

Beginning July 1, 2025, each utility files an integrated least‑cost plan at least every three years. Before filing, it must hold at least four public meetings in its Montana service area. The commission publishes complete plans, allows at least 60 days for public comments, holds public meetings, and aims to finish review within 120 days. Utilities must summarize and respond to substantive comments and file those responses with the plan.

Faster power buys with less oversight

Beginning July 1, 2025, an “opportunity resource” is a power resource needed to meet a need shown in a plan but not known to be for sale until a timely chance appears. Competitive bidding rules with an independent evaluator do not apply to these buys, so utilities can act faster but with less oversight.

Planning and oversight costs in rates

Beginning July 1, 2025, the commission can hire outside consultants to review plans and charge the utility; those costs are recoverable in rates. The commission may also charge a fee to cover selecting and representing an independent evaluator, and utilities can recover that cost in rates. Fees collected under the financing statute are treated as financing costs under a financing order, making them recoverable in rates. Other commission fees are capped at $500 per fee, except where the law lists specific exceptions. Fees collected for planning oversight go into a special state account for that purpose.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Gary Parry

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 394 • No: 99

House vote • 4/22/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 63 • No: 35

House vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 87 • No: 11

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Senate 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: 75 • 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. 1st Reading

    4/24/2025Senate

  8. Sent to Enrolling

    4/22/2025House

  9. 3rd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/22/2025House

  10. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/18/2025House

  11. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/15/2025Senate

  12. 3rd Reading

    4/15/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report

    4/14/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action

    4/14/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    4/12/2025Senate

  16. Hearing

    4/11/2025Senate

  17. Rereferred to Committee

    4/3/2025Senate

  18. 2nd Reading

    4/3/2025Senate

  19. Committee Report

    4/1/2025Senate

  20. Committee Executive Action

    3/25/2025Senate

  21. Hearing

    2/13/2025Senate

  22. Referred to Committee

    2/11/2025Senate

  23. 1st Reading

    1/22/2025Senate

  24. Transmitted to Senate

    1/21/2025House

  25. 3rd Reading

    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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