MTLeg Weekly Debrief: Week Of Feb 20-24
The Frontier Institute has identified nine new Key Bills, 18 new Red Tape Relief Bills being sent to the Governor and six Key Bill Updates for the week of February 20th-24th
SB 382 follows Frontier Institute’s recommendations to expand areas in Montana’s cities where affordable starter homes are permitted by-right. SB 382 is a complete overhaul of Montana’s planning laws that accomplishes 3 notable pro-housing reforms: 1. Broadly restores the rights of landowners to build affordable starter homes in Montana cities, eliminating discretionary permit approvals contingent on public hearings. 2. Requires local governments to adjust zoning regulations to provide landowners the freedom necessary to adequately meet projected demand for housing. 3. Establishes a menu of specific pro-housing zoning reforms that local governments must select from to encourage housing development.
Current Status: Senate Local Government Committee hearing scheduled for February 22nd at 3:00PM
SB 390 follows Frontier Institute recommendations to fund students and not systems. This bill aims to establish a statewide Education Savings Account (ESA) program. The ESA program allows parents to direct their student’s share of public education dollars to pay for a variety of educational options.
Current Status: Senate Education and Cultural Resources Committee hearing scheduled for February 24th at 3:00PM
SB 395 allows judicial candidates to announce campaign endorsements they have received. This bill aims to improve transparency by better informing Montanans of the organizations that support a judicial candidate’s campaign.
Current Status: Senate State Administration Committee hearing scheduled for February 27th
SB 397 is the culmination of the legislature’s interim study on facial recognition technology. SB 397 follows Frontier Institute’s recommendations to create standards for government use of facial recognition to protect the privacy rights of Montanans.
Current Status: Senate Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs Committee hearing scheduled for February 23rd at 8:30AM
HB 549 aims to establish a charter school option in Montana. To see more about this bill see our in-depth analysis comparing and contrasting it with HB 562.
Current Status: House Education Committee hearing held on February 20th
HB 553 follows Frontier Institute recommendations to reform zoning regulations to give Montana landowners more freedom to build affordable starter homes. This bill legalizes Accessory Dwelling Units across Montana and prevents zoning codes from discriminating against manufactured homes.
Current Status: House Local Government Committee hearing scheduled for February 23rd at 3:00PM
HB 562 follows Frontier Institute recommendations to increase education options for Montana families. This bill establishes a public charter school option which grants parents more authority to work with schools to create an education that works for their children. To see more about this bill see our in-depth analysis comparing and contrasting it with HB 549.
Current Status: House Education Committee hearing held on February 20th
HB 605 follows Frontier Institute’s recommendations to eliminate harmful legal doctrines of judicial deference towards the government, requiring instead that Montana judges examine regulations without bias toward a government agency’s interpretation of laws or rules. HB 605 also instructs courts to resolve any ambiguity in interpreting regulations in favor of individual liberty.
Current Status: House Judiciary Committee hearing scheduled for February 23rd at 7:00 AM
HB 606 follows Frontier Institute’s recommendations to protect the fundamental right of Montanans to use their property. HB 606 will encourage entrepreneurship by allowing Montanans to operate small businesses out of their home. HB 606 also prohibits local regulations from unnecessarily restricting a home business’s client appointments, number of employees, structural modification, floorspace or interior storage.
Current Status: House Local Government Committee hearing scheduled for February 23rd at 3:00PM
- 4 Bill hearing scheduled
- 5 Bills passed 1st Committee
- 1 Bill Passed 2nd Committee
- 3 Bills stuck in Committee
- 17 Bills passed 1st Chamber floor vote
- 4 Bills passed 2nd Chamber floor vote
- 9 Bills transmitted to 2nd Chamber
- 18 Bills transmitted to Governor
- 3 Bills signed by Governor
Key Bill Updates:
HB 21: Passed Senate Floor vote
SB 245: Passed Senate Local Government Committee
HB 409: Passed Human Services Committee
SB 273: Tabled in Committee
SB 287: Passed Senate Judiciary Committee
HB 464: Passed House Judiciary Committee