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MontanaSB 30169th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate

Generally revise utility lines and facilities laws

Sponsored By: Daniel Zolnikov (Republican)

Signed by Governor

EnergyRule MakingUtilities

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Faster approvals for high-voltage power lines

The Public Service Commission can approve a certificate before building transmission lines over 69 kilovolts. The commission must decide within 300 days. It must weigh reliability, customer access to generation or storage, costs and benefits, and use of advanced technology. When a utility asks for a certificate, DEQ cannot make certain siting findings in 75-20-301(1)(a), (1)(d), and (1)(f). An approved certificate can satisfy those DEQ siting requirements. The commission will set rules for this process. Advanced technologies covered include underground cables, high-voltage direct current, and power electronics with related software.

Project approval does not guarantee customer charges

Getting a certificate from the commission does not automatically let a utility recover project costs from customers. The commission decides cost recovery later in separate rate cases. The law also keeps all existing environmental and siting rules in Title 75, chapter 20 in place.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Daniel Zolnikov

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Gary Parry

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 486 • No: 7

Senate vote • 4/18/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 4/15/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 97 • No: 0

House vote • 4/14/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 90 • No: 7

Senate vote • 3/27/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/26/2025

AMD-SB0301.003.001 Zolnikov D/PASS

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/26/2025

Do Pass As Amended

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/3/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/16/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025Senate

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/5/2025Senate

  4. Signed by Speaker

    5/5/2025House

  5. Signed by President

    4/29/2025Senate

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/24/2025Senate

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/22/2025Senate

  8. 3rd Reading House Amendments

    4/18/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading House Amendments

    4/17/2025Senate

  10. Returned to Senate with Amendments

    4/15/2025House

  11. 3rd Reading

    4/15/2025House

  12. 2nd Reading

    4/14/2025House

  13. Committee Report

    4/10/2025House

  14. Committee Executive Action

    4/9/2025House

  15. Hearing

    4/2/2025House

  16. 1st Reading

    3/28/2025House

  17. Referred to Committee

    3/28/2025House

  18. Transmitted to House

    3/28/2025Senate

  19. 3rd Reading

    3/27/2025Senate

  20. Fiscal Note Requested

    3/27/2025Senate

  21. 2nd Reading

    3/26/2025Senate

  22. 2nd Reading Motion to Amend

    3/26/2025Senate

  23. Committee Report

    3/20/2025Senate

  24. Committee Executive Action

    3/20/2025Senate

  25. Hearing

    3/14/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/22/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 5)

    4/10/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 4)

    3/26/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    3/20/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    2/28/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/11/2025

    PDF

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