Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana SJ21: Interim study on interstate power grid development
Status: Passed one chamber, May 5, 2025
What the bill says
A joint resolution of the senate and the house of representatives of the state of montana requesting an interim study on interstate power grid development; and requiring that the final results of the study be reported to the 70th legislature.
From the engrossed text:
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY ON INTERSTATE POWER GRID DEVELOPMENT; AND REQUIRING THAT THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 70TH LEGISLATURE. WHEREAS, the modernization and expansion of electric transmission infrastructure is essential to ensuring a secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy supply for Montana and its neighboring states; and WHEREAS, restrictive and anticompetitive policies in certain jurisdictions hinder the development of necessary transmission projects, resulting in increased costs to ratepayers and inefficiencies in energy markets; and WHEREAS, the establishment of an interstate compact could facilitate a cooperative framework among states to enhance market-driven solutions, reduce regulatory barriers, and encourage open bidding processes for new transmission projects; and WHEREAS, a comprehensive study is necessary to evaluate the potential benefits, legal considerations, and implementation strategies of an interstate compact to ensure equitable access to transmission infrastructure and cost-sharing mechanisms that fairly allocate expenses among all beneficiaries; and WHEREAS, an interstate compact should adhere to key principles, including technology neutrality, uniform siting and certification processes, streamlined permitting, and the promotion of grid-enhancing technologies to maximize efficiency and minimize costs; and WHEREAS, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's order RM99-2-000 encourages state adoption of regional transmission organizations and interstate compacts to enhance market efficiency, improve reliability, facilitate …
Sponsors
- Zolnikov, Daniel (R, 22) · primary sponsor
- Brewster, Larry (R, 43)
Latest actions
- : (S) Filed with Secretary of State
- : (H) Signed by Speaker
- : (S) Signed by President
- : (S) Returned from Enrolling
- : (S) Sent to Enrolling
- : (H) Returned to Senate
- : (H) 3rd Reading
- : (H) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (H) 2nd Reading
- : (H) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
Votes
- Do Concur (April 24, 2025): 94 yea, 6 nay, passed
- Do Concur (April 23, 2025): 95 yea, 4 nay, passed
- Do Pass (April 8, 2025): 46 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Do Pass (April 7, 2025): 45 yea, 4 nay, passed
Subjects: Interim Study Bills, Energy, Interim Study Resolutions
Common questions
- What is SJ21?
- SJ21 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Interim study on interstate power grid development.
- What does SJ21 do?
- In its own words: A joint resolution of the senate and the house of representatives of the state of montana requesting an interim study on interstate power grid development; and requiring that the final results of the study be reported to the 70th legislature.
- What is the status of SJ21?
- Passed one chamber as of May 5, 2025. Latest action: (S) Filed with Secretary of State (May 5, 2025).
- Who sponsored SJ21?
- Zolnikov, Daniel (R, 22), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SJ21?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0327
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.