All Roll Calls
Yes: 293 • No: 103
MontanaSB 52069th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET
Revise laws regarding mining leases on state lands
Sponsored By: Tony Tezak (Republican)
Became Law
PropertyMining and MineralsState Lands
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.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Board can amend or extend leases
The board can change lease or permit terms if you and the board agree, within limits in law. The board can also extend a lease or prospecting permit by agreement.
Extra time for mining delays and exploration
If a court blocks your lease, permit, or required evaluation, the lease term extends for the blocked time. If a challenge delays issuance and needs more agency review, you get the same time added. If you have an exploration license and exploration is happening, the lease term extends for that licensed period.
Geology data kept private five years
The department withholds geological or proprietary geology data you provide from public view. It keeps the data private as long as needed, at least five years after the lease or permit ends.
Longer terms and stronger lease rights
State mining leases for metals, gems, and nonmetallic minerals have a primary term of at least 10 years. After that, the lease stays in force while minerals are produced in commercial quantities. If you follow the lease and a mining or mine-site permit covers the land, the lease does not end at the primary term. While you comply, you have exclusive possession, except for rights the lease reserves.
Pay royalty to extend nonmetallic lease
If nonproduction could end your nonmetallic lease, you can elect to pay a nonproduction royalty. The board sets the payment amount. Paying it extends the primary term one time for five years.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Tony Tezak
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Barry Usher
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/18/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 46 • No: 4
Senate vote • 4/17/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 48 • No: 1
Senate vote • 4/11/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 61 • No: 38
Senate vote • 4/10/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 61 • No: 38
Senate vote • 3/6/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 41 • No: 9
Senate vote • 3/6/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 36 • No: 13
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
4/25/2025SenateSent 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
4/11/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
4/11/2025House2nd Reading Concurred
4/10/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended
4/1/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended
3/31/2025HouseHearing
3/24/2025HouseFirst Reading
3/17/2025HouseReferred to Committee
3/17/2025HouseTransmitted to House
3/7/2025Senate3rd Reading Passed
3/6/2025Senate2nd Reading Passed
3/6/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Passed
3/4/2025SenateFiscal Note Printed
3/4/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed
3/3/2025SenateFiscal Note Unsigned
3/3/2025SenateFiscal Note Received
3/3/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/22/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
4/1/2025
Introduced
2/26/2025