Big Sky Times

The legislative session in Helena has seen an extension of deadlines for bill transmittals as lawmakers grapple with a record number of bills and disagreements on budget allocations. Legislative leadership has adjusted the dates for transmitting amendments to both general and revenue bills, canceled several Saturday sessions, and established what is likely the final calendar for this session.

General bills must now be transmitted by Tuesday, April 18. Amendments to revenue bills, including Senate amendments to HB 2, which pertains to the state budget, are due by Day 82 on April 26. The session's Day 90 is scheduled for May 6. "Rumor is that we will be out about five days early and HB 2 appears to be on about that track," noted State Director Ronda Wiggers.

Wiggers described the current stage of the session as one where issues seem stagnant until compromises are reached, after which bills move quickly or fail due to lack of agreement.

Last week saw significant activity with HB 652, aimed at revising unemployment insurance laws concerning benefit duration. The Senate Business & Labor Committee tabled the bill after concerns were raised about reducing Montana's benefits from the highest in the nation to the lowest without room for compromise.

SB 364 seeks to establish limits on hospital-related charges. Senator Greg Hertz asked if NFIB would support his proposal to cap hospital charges at 250% of Medicare reimbursement rates. The hearing was postponed with no new date set yet.

This week, two bills are slated for hearings: HB 836 and HB 245. HB 836 proposes changes to insurance laws related to regulatory waivers, allowing insurers more flexibility in testing new programs under oversight from the Insurance Commissioner’s Office. Meanwhile, HB 245 seeks to extend a tax credit for trades education and training until 2028 and expand eligible professions.

Other notable legislation includes SB 270, which prohibits employee termination over legal social media posts; SB 95, which aims to revise theft laws; and SB 216, which addresses product liability laws in Montana.

For those interested in tracking these developments further, NFIB provides a Legislative Preference list online.