MontanaHB 56269th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Eliminate certain agency reports

Sponsored By: Julie Darling (Republican)

Became Law

State GovernmentLegislature

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

12 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Long-term river basin water plans

The state must write basin sections of the water plan for the Missouri, Yellowstone, and Clark Fork and Kootenai basins and send them to the 2035 legislature. Plans are updated at least every 20 years. Each plan lists current uses, data gaps, future needs, drought risks, ways to meet demand, possible sources, and any needed laws. Basin advisory councils of up to 20 members, drawn from agriculture, cities, tribes, recreation, industry, and others, advise the department.

Stronger truck safety rules and enforcement

The Department of Transportation adopts safety rules that match federal motor carrier and hazardous‑materials standards. DOT coordinates with the highway patrol to avoid duplicate enforcement and reports every two years to lawmakers. DOT also designates some motor carrier staff as peace officers. They can issue citations, make arrests, inspect cargo and paperwork, and check diesel tanks tied to engines.

Managed care for Medicaid enrollees

The health department can run Medicaid through managed care and pay a fixed amount per person. It can contract for full physical and mental health services under set monthly rates. Plans are sent to the Legislative Finance Committee for review, and reports go to the legislature. Any plan that needs a federal waiver still follows federal rules.

Weekly checks on unemployment benefits

The Department of Labor and Industry now checks unemployment rolls every week. It matches records against prison lists and the national new hire file. The agency shares data with other offices and reviews your case if new information affects eligibility. These steps help stop improper payments, but they can pause or change your benefits faster when your status changes.

Regular meetings for licensing boards

The department holds a joint meeting every two years for related professional licensing boards. One member from each board attends. The department reports attendance and key issues to the Economic Affairs Interim Committee.

State help on federal land proposals

The Department of Commerce can prepare socioeconomic reviews for local governments on major federal land decisions. It can hire Montana university experts and use reports to advocate for local governments. The department reports each year there is a request and posts summaries online.

Study small hydro at state dams

The state studies if small hydro plants make sense at each water project it controls. Studies look at costs, expected revenue, debt, return, and water‑supply impacts. The department updates the energy and water interim committees on past and current studies.

Uniform accounting rules for state agencies

The state sets a single accounting system. Agencies must enter all transactions before the fiscal year closes. Encumbrances need approved extension plans or they can be deleted. The department sends a year‑end report to budget offices and the legislature, including approved nongeneral‑fund extensions after three years.

State-tribal fuel tax agreements

The Department of Revenue can make agreements with tribes to prevent double taxation of motor fuel bought on reservations. The attorney general may concur, and a Justice Department expert can join talks. DOT must report negotiation status to the transportation interim committee and present any agreement for review when the legislature is out of session.

Stricter rules for special big-game tags

You generally cannot get a second special license for the same species in the same year if you already took that species, except for deer, elk, and antelope. The commission can require you to hold a valid big‑game license for that species before you apply. If you receive a moose, mountain goat, or limited mountain sheep license, you are ineligible for another special license for that species for 7 years. Similar seven‑year limits apply for taking certain large‑horned ram mountain sheep.

Small biodiesel refunds for fuel sellers

Licensed distributors get $0.02 per gallon for biodiesel sold last quarter that is made entirely from Montana ingredients. Retail fuel outlets get $0.01 per gallon on qualifying biodiesel bought from a licensed distributor when the special fuel tax was paid and it is made entirely from Montana ingredients. File on the department form within 30 days after the quarter; the state pays within 90 days. Keep receipts and invoices up to 3 years; the department may review your records. Refunds are paid from the state general fund.

More funding and safety for shared paths

The state lists all shared‑use paths along state federal‑aid highways and plans their upkeep. In FY2018, up to $50,000 may go to reprogram software. Ongoing, 20% of the optional vehicle‑fee account funds bicycle and pedestrian education, and 80% goes to DOT districts; each district must spend at least 10% on non‑state path maintenance. Motor vehicles are banned on shared‑use paths, but a city, county, or the commission may allow snowmobiles in certain areas.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Julie Darling
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Josh Kassmier
Republican • Senate
Shelley Vance
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 232 • No: 60

House vote • 4/15/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 29 • No: 21

House vote • 4/14/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 26 • No: 19

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 89 • No: 10

House vote • 3/5/2025