MontanaSB 35569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET

Generally revise energy laws

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Bidding rules for big transmission projects

For projects valued at $8,000,000 or more, the incumbent utility must run a competitive bid. The incumbent and its affiliates can bid, and all bids must meet the utility’s timelines and standards. If a non-incumbent wins, the incumbent may inspect the work. When the line is done, the incumbent owns it and must maintain it.

Incumbent utilities get first shot at transmission lines

The law gives an incumbent utility the first right to build, own, and maintain certain transmission lines on or after January 1, 2017. This applies only if the line is in the Midwest Reliability Organization area, is approved by a federally registered planning authority, and will connect to the incumbent’s system. If the utility plans to proceed, it must notify the planning authority within 120 days of project approval. When a line links two different incumbents, they split ownership 50/50 unless they agree otherwise.

What counts as a transmission line

The law covers lines, substations, and equipment that carry 115 kilovolts or more. It does not cover lines used only to connect a power plant to an incumbent utility’s grid. It defines the planning authority as a FERC‑registered regional transmission group. It defines incumbents as regulated utilities or co‑ops that owned or ran transmission on or before January 1, 2017. It defines transmission facilities as those used for transmission and owned or run by an incumbent.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Wylie Galt
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Bob Carter
Democrat • House
Daniel Zolnikov
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 296 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 98 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 98 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/4/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/3/2025