Last checked
Oct 13, 2026
Based on the request list, LAWS records and news
Items tracked
15
6 high priority
Introduced bills
0
Bill numbers arrive at introduction
Next milestone
Session convenes January 2027
Watch for LC numbers, draft text and introductions
Show
Committee bills
Drafts with committee backing
Bills an interim committee voted to carry into the session. These usually get an early hearing.
No LC yet high ETIC committee bill: large-load customers and ratepayer protection
Directs the PSC on how a utility serves new retail customers of 5 MW or more: confirm new service won't harm other customers, create a separate large-load customer class, set terms that block cost shifting onto other customers, and require financial guarantees in case a large customer shuts down. Does not cover data centers that build their own power supply.
Why it matters: Unanimous voice vote; Rep. Bob Carter (D-Missoula) made the motion. Zolnikov said the draft still needs work. NorthWestern Energy objected to the no-cost-shift language; MEIC and the Large Customer Group (refineries, cement) back it. Watch for the LC number and amendments before introduction.
Nothing in this section matches the filter.
Bill draft requests
Requests from individual legislators
Most carry placeholder titles like "generally revise data center laws" until text is drafted. The real content often stays unknown until introduction.
LC 20 high Generally revise law relating to data centers (statewide ban on large-scale data centers)
Placeholder title. In an August 2026 op-ed, Boldman said her first 2027 bill draft request is a statewide ban on large-scale data centers and that she is not interested in compromise.
Why it matters: The most restrictive proposal on the board. Unlikely to pass a Republican Legislature as written, but it frames the debate and could draw moratorium amendments.
LC 251 high Protect ratepayers and provide fiscal protection from data centers
No text yet. Title points to cost-allocation and financial-assurance protections, likely overlapping the ETIC committee bill.
Why it matters: Carter moved the ETIC bill forward; this may be a companion or a stronger Democratic alternative. Compare against the committee draft once text appears.
No LC yet high Prohibit data centers in areas that use tax increment financing
Would bar data centers from TIF districts, cutting off a local incentive tool that pairs with the 0.9% class 17 tax rate.
Why it matters: A Republican-sponsored restriction, so it has a realistic path. Galt is a senior tax-policy voice. (His separate LC 350 and LC 351 are water-law placeholders, on hold since Oct 1.)
No LC yet medium Revise data center development laws
Appears on the 2027 request list just before Carter's ratepayer request. No LC number or text found yet.
Why it matters: Could address siting, development standards or the 2025 tax incentives. Requester attribution needs confirming at the next check.
No LC yet medium Generally revise laws relating to data centers (second request)
A second data center placeholder on Boldman's list, separate from LC 20. Boldman also requested a Public Service Commission bill.
Why it matters: May be a fallback (moratorium, reporting or water limits) if the outright ban stalls.
No LC yet medium Revise property taxation of data centers
Targets the class 17 data center property tax rate (0.9%), which HB 424 (2025) extended to 2037 and to on-site generation.
Why it matters: Fern filed a similar draft for 2025 (LC 1870) that died in drafting. Watch for a rate increase or clawback provisions.
No LC yet medium Generally revise data center laws
Placeholder; content unknown.
Why it matters: Second Fern request, separate from his tax bill.
No LC yet medium Generally revise data center laws (two requests)
Two data center placeholders (#29 and #30 on her list), alongside a PSC request (#38) and three technology-law requests.
Why it matters: Content unknown; Smith also files consumer-protection bills, so expect a disclosure or ratepayer angle.
No LC yet low Public Service Commission law revisions
Generic PSC placeholders. The governor's Energy Task Force also discussed PSC reform.
Why it matters: Any change to PSC authority or structure changes who decides large-load contracts.
Nothing in this section matches the filter.
Laws and proceedings
Current law and decisions outside the Capitol
Statutes likely to be amended, plus PSC and executive branch decisions that will shape what the bills say.
SB 212 (2025) high Right to Compute Act: likely amendment target
Requires any government restriction on computational resources to be narrowly tailored and the least restrictive option. Yellowstone County commissioners say it limits their ability to regulate the 5,000-acre Quantica data center near Broadview and asked their legislators to clarify that local zoning and permitting still apply.
Why it matters: No bill draft request found yet. Watch for a local-control amendment from the Yellowstone County delegation, and resistance from Zolnikov, who chairs ETIC.
PSC docket high NorthWestern Energy Large New Load Tariff (PSC)
Proposed rules for serving new loads of 5 MW or more: minimum service terms, demand billing, collateral and termination costs, with PSC review of individual agreements only for the largest customers. Gov. Gianforte directed DEQ to intervene in June 2026.
Why it matters: Lawmakers are writing the ETIC bill partly in response. A PSC decision before or during session could make parts of the bill moot or push lawmakers to override it.
HB 424 (2025) medium Class 17 data center property tax
Keeps the 0.9% property tax rate for data centers, extends the build deadline from 2027 to 2037, and extends the low rate to on-site generation for 10 years. School equalization mills still apply inside TIF districts.
Why it matters: The baseline that the Fern and Galt tax requests would change.
Gov. task force medium Governor's Energy Task Force recommendations
Recommendations released in September 2026 include revising regulations and taxes to encourage energy production and transmission. Members include NorthWestern, Talen and Sabey Data Centers.
Why it matters: Recommendations often become administration-backed bills, usually with agency-requested LC numbers. Watch for large-load, PSC reform and generation bills.
HB 877 (2025) low Montana Data Center Development Act (failed 2025)
Would have limited the PSC's ability to block a utility from serving large customers and funded state data center marketing.
Why it matters: Legislative staff flagged it as a possible 2027 revival. Watch for a pro-development counterweight to the ratepayer bills.
Nothing in this section matches the filter.
Update log
What changed at each check
Tracker created. Baseline of 15 items: one ETIC committee bill, nine legislator requests, five laws and proceedings.
- ETIC approved its large-load ratepayer protection draft on Sept 9 (no LC number found yet).
- LC 20 (Boldman, statewide ban) and LC 251 (Carter, ratepayer protection) have drafters assigned.
- Yellowstone County asked legislators on Sept 23 to amend the Right to Compute Act.
- The House side of the official request list could not be fully read; Carter's 'revise data center development laws' attribution needs confirming.
Status reflects public sources as of the last check: the Legislature's bill draft request list and LAWS system, interim committee materials, and Montana news coverage. Confirm anything time-sensitive at bills.legmt.gov.