Montana HB877: Establish the Montana data center development act

What the bill says

A bill for an act entitled: "an act establishing the montana data center development act; establishing policy and intent; clarifying the public service commission's role in a regulated public utility's service to large customers; prohibiting the public service commission from preventing a regulated public utility from serving new large customers; prescribing the public service commission's role in establishing tariffs and regulatory processes; providing an appropriation; amending section 698-201, mca; and providing effective dates.".

From the engrossed text:

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE MONTANA DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT ACT; ESTABLISHING POLICY AND INTENT; CLARIFYING THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION'S ROLE IN A REGULATED PUBLIC UTILITY'S SERVICE TO LARGE CUSTOMERS; PROHIBITING THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION FROM PREVENTING A REGULATED PUBLIC UTILITY FROM SERVING NEW LARGE CUSTOMERS; PRESCRIBING THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION'S ROLE IN ESTABLISHING TARIFFS AND REGULATORY PROCESSES; PROVIDING AN APPROPRIATION; AMENDING SECTION 698-201, MCA; AND PROVIDING EFFECTIVE DATES." WHEREAS, Montana offers several advantages for data center development, including a cool, dry climate, low risk of natural disasters, ample land, and affordable electricity; and WHEREAS, according to the Frontier Institute, Montana leaders can build on the state's already favorable position and further leverage the current data gold rush, turning Montana into the national leader in data centers by 2050; and WHEREAS, Montana has abundant opportunities to leverage all energy resources, including natural gas, coal, wind, solar, hydrothermal, and geothermal resources; and WHEREAS, a stable, predictable regulatory climate for energy is necessary not only to protect Montana's electricity ratepayers but also to foster predictability, to allow for long-term planning, and to encourage investment. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: NEW SECTION. Section 1. Short title. [Sections 1 and 2] may be cited as the "Montana Data Center Development Act". NEW SECTION. Section …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Fitzpatrick, John (R, 76) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. May 20, 2025: (H) Died in Process
2. April 9, 2025: (H) Missed Deadline for Appropriation Bill Transmittal
3. April 4, 2025: (H) Taken from Table in Committee
4. April 2, 2025: (H) Fiscal Note Printed
5. April 1, 2025: (H) Fiscal Note Signed
6. April 1, 2025: (H) Fiscal Note Received
7. March 31, 2025: (H) Tabled in Committee
8. March 31, 2025: (H) Hearing
9. March 26, 2025: (H) 1st Reading
10. March 26, 2025: (H) Referred to Committee

Common questions

What is HB877?

HB877 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Establish the Montana data center development act.

What does HB877 do?

In its own words: A bill for an act entitled: "an act establishing the montana data center development act; establishing policy and intent; clarifying the public service commission's role in a regulated public utility's service to large customers; prohibiting the public service commission from preventing a regulated public utility from serving new large customers; prescribing the public service commission's role in establishing tariffs and regulatory processes; providing an appropriation; amending section 698-201, mca; and providing effective dates.".

What is the status of HB877?

Failed as of May 20, 2025. Latest action: (H) Died in Process (May 20, 2025).

Who sponsored HB877?

Fitzpatrick, John (R, 76).

Where is the official record for HB877?

On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC2604