All Roll Calls
Yes: 494 • No: 201
MontanaSB 55369th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET
Generally revise state policy laws
Sponsored By: Daniel Zolnikov (Republican)
Signed by Governor
TransportationRevenue, State
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Waivers and limits on park dedications
Local governments cannot require park dedications for certain projects, including parcels over 5 acres, fully nonresidential subdivisions, some one‑lot additions, and some first minor subdivisions. They must waive the requirement if your plan sets aside equal or more park area, or if protected habitat cuts buildable area by at least the required amount. Money or land must serve parks near the subdivision and follow an adopted park plan. No more than 50% of dedicated money may be used for maintenance.
Utilities pay share for geothermal research
If the nearest utility plans to develop a geothermal research site, it must pay at least 25% of the research costs. The utility must have agreements with the surface owner and any resource owners for future development. If the nearest utility will not develop the site, the next‑nearest utility may step in. No agreement is required when no utility plans development.
New park land-or-cash rules for subdivisions
Subdividers must give land or cash for parks based on parcel size: 11% for up to 0.5 acre; 7.5% for >0.5–1 acre; 5% for >1–3 acres; 2.5% for >3–5 acres. In areas with adopted density rules, local governments may set a need‑based requirement, capped at 0.03 acres per home. If a mix of land and cash is required, the cash part cannot exceed the fair share left after valuing the land. Land can be donated inside or outside the subdivision. A local government may require dedication for some minor subdivisions, including those with condos, other multifamily housing, or lots in a city. With local approval and school board acceptance, a subdivider may dedicate this land to a school district.
Sharing infrastructure costs among developments
Local governments may require a subdivider to pay or guarantee an equal share when later projects also benefit from extended or improved facilities. The transportation department may assign future cost shares for present intersection or related upgrades. Cost studies must separate normal traffic growth from a project’s impact. This can raise near‑term costs for a developer but spread them across projects over time.
Stronger rights for airline travel credits
Travel credits do not expire. If the issuer goes bankrupt, the credit is treated as your property. No fees, including dormancy fees, may reduce the value. If the credit was over $5 at first and less than $5 remains, you can demand cash for the rest. An issuer may honor a credit even if the name does not match. These rules apply to travel credits issued on or after January 1, 2025.
More oversight of energy and utility programs
Public utilities must send yearly universal system benefits program summaries to the Public Service Commission, the Department of Revenue, and lawmakers; very small utilities with fewer than 50 customers are exempt. The Energy and Telecommunications Interim Committee is renamed the Energy and Technology Committee and now reviews Public Service Commission rules, draft bills, and programs. The State Library reports on next‑generation 9‑1‑1 mapping before September 1 of even‑numbered years; the mapping fund ends July 1, 2031. The Department of Administration and the Montana University System report on the high‑performance buildings program through June 30, 2029. The consumer counsel sends its annual report and any fix‑it bills to the committee. These oversight changes take effect on passage.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Daniel Zolnikov
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/29/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 30 • No: 20
Senate vote • 4/28/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 43 • No: 6
House vote • 4/25/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 62 • No: 38
House vote • 4/23/2025
ReconsAction - Fitzpatrick S.
Yes: 70 • No: 30
House vote • 4/23/2025
AMD-SB0553.002.003 Buttrey DO PASS
Yes: 97 • No: 3
House vote • 4/23/2025
Do Concur As Amended
Yes: 65 • No: 35
House vote • 4/22/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 32 • No: 68
Senate vote • 4/5/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 48 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/4/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 47 • No: 1
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
5/2/2025SenateReturned from Enrolling
5/1/2025SenateSent to Enrolling
4/29/2025Senate3rd Reading House Amendments
4/29/2025Senate2nd Reading House Amendments
4/28/2025SenateReturned to Senate with Amendments
4/25/2025House3rd Reading
4/25/2025HouseCommittee Report
4/24/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action
4/23/2025HouseHearing
4/23/2025HouseReferred to Committee
4/23/2025House2nd Reading
4/23/2025House2nd Reading Motion to Amend
4/23/2025HouseReconsidered Previous Action
4/23/2025House2nd Reading
4/22/2025HouseCommittee Report
4/18/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action
4/18/2025HouseHearing
4/11/2025HouseFiscal Note Printed
4/8/2025SenateFiscal Note Unsigned
4/8/2025SenateHearing
4/8/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/29/2025
As Amended (Version 3)
4/23/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
4/18/2025
Introduced
3/26/2025