Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana SB355: Generally revise energy laws
Status: Signed into law, May 8, 2025
What the bill says
An act generally revising electric utility laws; allowing for a competitive bidding process for the construction of new electric transmission line projects; revising definitions; and amending sections 69-5-201 and 69-5-202, mca.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING ELECTRIC UTILITY LAWS; ALLOWING FOR A COMPETITIVE BIDDING PROCESS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECTS; REVISING DEFINITIONS; AND AMENDING SECTIONS 69-5-201 AND 69-5-202, MCA. Section 1. Section 69-5-201, MCA, is amended to read: "69-5-201. Definitions. As used in this part, the following definitions apply: (1) (a) "Electric transmission line" means a line, substation, or associated equipment used to convey electrical energy connected to transmission facilities that is energized at 115 kilovolts or more phase to phase. (b) The term does not include an electric transmission line used solely to connect an energy generation facility to transmission facilities owned by an incumbent electric utility. (2) "Federally registered planning authority" means a regional transmission organization responsible for moving electricity, planning for the movement of electricity, or both over large interstate areas registered with the federal energy regulatory commission. (3) (a) "Incumbent electric utility" means a public utility regulated by the public service commission pursuant to Title 69, chapter 3, or a utility qualifying as an electric cooperative pursuant to Title 35, chapter 18, or their successors or assignees, that owned, controlled, or operated transmission facilities on or before January 1, 2017. (b) The term does not include a public utility regulated by the public service commission pursuant to Title 69, chapter 3. (4) "Transmission facilities" …
Sponsors
- Galt, Wylie (R, 39) · primary sponsor
- Carter, Bob (D, 96)
Latest actions
- : Chapter Number Assigned
- : (S) Signed by Governor
- : (S) Transmitted to Governor
- : (H) Signed by Speaker
- : (S) Signed by President
- : (S) Returned from Enrolling
- : (S) Sent to Enrolling
- : (H) 3rd Reading
- : (H) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (H) 2nd Reading
Votes
- Do Concur (April 11, 2025): 98 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Do Concur (April 10, 2025): 98 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 4, 2025): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 3, 2025): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Energy, Utilities
Common questions
- What is SB355?
- SB355 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Generally revise energy laws.
- What does SB355 do?
- In its own words: An act generally revising electric utility laws; allowing for a competitive bidding process for the construction of new electric transmission line projects; revising definitions; and amending sections 69-5-201 and 69-5-202, mca.
- What is the status of SB355?
- Signed into law as of May 8, 2025. Latest action: Chapter Number Assigned (May 8, 2025).
- Who sponsored SB355?
- Galt, Wylie (R, 39), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB355?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0326
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.