All Roll Calls
Yes: 484 • No: 7
MontanaSB 30169th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET
Generally revise utility lines and facilities laws
Sponsored By: Daniel Zolnikov (Republican)
Became Law
EnergyRule MakingUtilities
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Preapproved power line costs and bills
A utility can ask the commission to approve estimated construction costs for transmission lines before it buys equipment, if it follows the certificate rules. The commission has 45 days to say if the filing is complete and 90 days to issue a final order, unless there are extraordinary circumstances. If final costs are at or below the approved amount, those costs are presumed prudent in later rate cases. If costs are higher, there is no presumption and the commission decides if the extra can be charged to customers. These rules can affect what shows up on your electric bill.
Faster approvals for new power lines
The law lets a utility ask the commission for a certificate before building any transmission line over 69 kilovolts. The commission must decide within 300 days if the project is in the public interest. It must weigh reliability, customer access to cost‑effective power or storage, costs and benefits, and the use of advanced grid technology. A commission‑approved certificate can satisfy certain state siting rules the Department of Environmental Quality applies. The law also defines advanced transmission tech, like underground cables, high‑capacity conductors, HVDC, storage, and modern sensors and controls.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Daniel Zolnikov
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Gary Parry
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/18/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 50 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/17/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 48 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/15/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 97 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/14/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 89 • No: 7
Senate vote • 3/27/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 50 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/26/2025
Do Pass As Amended
Yes: 50 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/26/2025
AMD-SB0301.003.001 Zolnikov D/PASS
Yes: 50 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/3/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 50 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/16/2025SenateSigned by Governor
5/13/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor
5/5/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
5/5/2025HouseSigned by President
4/29/2025SenateReturned from Enrolling
4/24/2025SenateSent to Enrolling
4/22/2025Senate3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House
4/18/2025Senate2nd Reading House Amendments Concurred
4/17/2025SenateReturned to Senate with Amendments
4/15/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
4/15/2025House2nd Reading Concurred
4/14/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended
4/10/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended
4/9/2025HouseHearing
4/2/2025HouseFirst Reading
3/28/2025HouseReferred to Committee
3/28/2025HouseTransmitted to House
3/28/2025Senate3rd Reading Passed
3/27/2025SenateFiscal Note Requested
3/27/2025Senate2nd Reading Passed as Amended
3/26/2025Senate2nd Reading Motion to Amend Carried
3/26/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Passed as Amended
3/20/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended
3/20/2025SenateHearing
3/14/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/22/2025
As Amended (Version 5)
4/10/2025
As Amended (Version 4)
3/26/2025
As Amended (Version 3)
3/20/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
2/28/2025
Introduced
2/11/2025