Montana HB55: Revising public utility resource planning laws

What the bill says

An act revising public utility resource planning laws; providing timelines; providing for an independent evaluator and duties; providing a definition; providing rulemaking authority; providing an appropriation; amending sections 69-1-114, 69-31204, 69-3-1205, 69-3-1207, 69-3-1208, and 69-8-421, mca; providing for contingent voidness; and providing an effective date.

From the engrossed text:

AN ACT REVISING PUBLIC UTILITY RESOURCE PLANNING LAWS; PROVIDING TIMELINES; PROVIDING FOR AN INDEPENDENT EVALUATOR AND DUTIES; PROVIDING A DEFINITION; PROVIDING RULEMAKING AUTHORITY; PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION; AMENDING SECTIONS 69-1-114, 69-31204, 69-3-1205, 69-3-1207, 69-3-1208, AND 69-8-421, MCA; PROVIDING FOR CONTINGENT VOIDNESS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Section 1. Section 69-1-114, MCA, is amended to read: "69-1-114. Fees. (1) Each fee charged by the commission must be reasonable. (2) Except for a fee assessed pursuant to 69-3-204(2), 69-3-1204(6)(b), 69-3-1207(4)(b) 69-31207(5)(a), 69-3-1612(4), or 69-12-423(2), a fee set by the commission may not exceed $500. (3) All fees collected by the department commission under 69-3-1204(6)(b) and 69-3-1207(4)(b) must be deposited in an account in the special revenue fund. Funds in this account must be used as provided in 69-3-1204(6)(b) and 69-3-1207(4)(b). (4) All fees collected by the commission under 69-3-1612(4) must be treated as financing costs and used in accordance with a financing order issued in accordance with 69-3-1606." Section 2. Section 69-3-1204, MCA, is amended to read: "69-3-1204. Integrated least-cost plan. (1) (a) The commission shall adopt rules requiring a public utility to prepare and file a plan at least every 3 years for meeting the requirements of its customers in the most cost-effective manner consistent with the public utility's obligation to serve and in accordance with this part. (b) The rules must …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Parry, Gary (R, 35) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. May 16, 2025: Chapter Number Assigned
2. May 12, 2025: (H) Signed by Governor
3. May 5, 2025: (H) Transmitted to Governor
4. May 2, 2025: (S) Signed by President
5. May 1, 2025: (H) Signed by Speaker
6. April 24, 2025: (H) Returned from Enrolling
7. April 24, 2025: (S) 1st Reading
8. April 22, 2025: (H) Sent to Enrolling
9. April 22, 2025: (H) 3rd Reading Senate Amendments
10. April 22, 2025: (H) Scheduled for 3rd Reading

Votes

• Do Concur (April 22, 2025): 63 yea, 35 nay, passed
• Do Concur (April 18, 2025): 86 yea, 11 nay, passed
• Do Concur (April 15, 2025): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Do Concur (April 3, 2025): 46 yea, 4 nay, passed
• Do Pass (January 21, 2025): 74 yea, 25 nay, passed
• Do Pass (January 20, 2025): 74 yea, 24 nay, passed

Common questions

What is HB55?

HB55 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Revising public utility resource planning laws.

What does HB55 do?

In its own words: An act revising public utility resource planning laws; providing timelines; providing for an independent evaluator and duties; providing a definition; providing rulemaking authority; providing an appropriation; amending sections 69-1-114, 69-31204, 69-3-1205, 69-3-1207, 69-3-1208, and 69-8-421, mca; providing for contingent voidness; and providing an effective date.

What is the status of HB55?

Signed into law as of May 16, 2025. Latest action: Chapter Number Assigned (May 16, 2025).

Who sponsored HB55?

Parry, Gary (R, 35).

Where is the official record for HB55?

On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0237