[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6628300,"mediaKeyId","2718400-4968b3a9e1f7b7da0e0df38b47ec75ed","parentId",2718400,"title","Bill to clarify pipeline access to public rights‑of‑way draws opposition from tribes and environmental groups","audioSeconds",1709,"startMs",5310000,"endMs",7019000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2718400-4968b3a9e1f7b7da0e0df38b47ec75ed&start=5310&end=7019","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2718400-4968b3a9e1f7b7da0e0df38b47ec75ed/thumbnail_5310000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6628300/Montana/Bill-to-clarify-pipeline-access-to-public-rightsofway-draws-opposition-from-tribes-and-environmental-groups","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628300-f107157962280a282d45d902b28176c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770508272&Signature=XR8wNGsn1a4VvDeTR7MW5hHVEu2LEUSXGd6eaWSxGHUA4gd1hJ5dAfgYyItMPDfmqOfhjpU58v-bDfKAkihxqwbcGfxs3-kfPHdEIZcDP07CsVVDa6G0zTcVaX3spL9N7oiiJcpPDJPA6qLd~g~aLsVeTECDqCE9XegtSELhCARTEA2YkyPSooiP2RK40tIVYaKOz1L-RFsAAfWGgcT7uVCjdP1kxJMuKenSqNFoBeyRrev0yS8rgihP7cdOggH66OLwptpnNOp32L~PWA9~FdivjS4jJMN8MGclRE7Pg29SGAvAkLSrKAqrGiY0kd82Whk21ahHwKjv0g5TwKHmMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Energy Committee on Feb. 18 heard testimony on House Bill 122, which would explicitly permit natural gas distribution pipelines and related facilities to be installed in public rights‑of‑way.

Sponsor Representative Brewster said the change is a cleanup to modernize an 1895 statute so natural gas distribution is treated the same as other utilities for placement in public rights‑of‑way, which the sponsor and proponents said will lower costs and speed project planning.

Northwest Energy and MDU testified in support, describing the bill as a technical update that puts natural gas pipelines on equivalent footing with other utility lines. Alan Olson, representing Northwest Energy, framed the bill as a straightforward way to allow efficient installation of natural gas pipelines in public rights‑of‑way.

Opponents included the Northern Plains Resource Council, tribal representatives, and the Montana Environmental Information Center. Gusty Catherine Sauer of Northern Plains Resource Council warned that the bill would reduce local governments’ ability to negotiate franchise agreements that address pipeline safety, maintenance, relocation and bonding. Patrick Yawaki, representing tribal communities, said the tribes want explicit consultation requirements and asked for exemptions for rights‑of‑way located within reservation boundaries unless tribes consent.

Nick Fitzmaurice of the Montana Environmental Information Center called the bill unnecessary and said it could diminish local oversight and revenue that sometimes accompanies franchise agreements. Several witnesses urged the committee to preserve local permitting and franchise processes and to clarify bonding, inspection and environmental protections.

Representative Brewster said he expects existing safety and construction regulations to remain in force and that the bill does not aim to remove city or town oversight; he said the text retains a provision that utilities must not “inconvenience or endanger” public use of roads and that local authorities retain powers under other statutes.

The committee took testimony and closed the hearing without a vote; opponents asked for amendments to add tribal notification and to preserve franchise‑level protections and environmental review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Energy and Telecommunications - Mar 20, 2025 15:30 - 18:30","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Energy Committee heard testimony Feb. 18 on House Bill 122, which would allow natural gas distribution lines to be placed in public rights‑of‑way; supporters said the change would reduce costs, while tribes and environmental groups warned it could weaken local oversight and consultation.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628305,"Pilots, airports clash over ADS‑B data use as committee hears House Bill 571 privacy measure",3241,2038000,5279000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2718400-4968b3a9e1f7b7da0e0df38b47ec75ed&start=2038&end=5279","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2718400-4968b3a9e1f7b7da0e0df38b47ec75ed/thumbnail_2038000.jpg","/articles/6628305/Montana/Pilots-airports-clash-over-ADSB-data-use-as-committee-hears-House-Bill-571-privacy-measure","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628305-bc19c16e498fdd95421e46e0013c7976/orig.mp4?Expires=1770508272&Signature=MKPbACDusOsGFjL5W9NalkY5MqPSMCKmMsQW7Ew9S-90df3C9~07qQPaTS27isxYVb4db8HJN0MNgKBtn2n~7BAnAzI5R5XoMaGX-dqigDgBjVGdtKCHaC0RAXg1IMOvXcMclrsVBAZVz-l1WLyjkR41FOpj8X8DUtmhMwKkkgVwqtlO3z1ajWmIYPCDzrIVzuVq1QAENOqUc61wvkSUT7SHSbpnflq2cTPFhdL9GCem9kmi7hpgImH4buc2GhehzEffzjgy-Ltgsy3ms3o9ubjoRIRWxRQWWgWqG~iuJi8sNeFxLMP~IBEpKZjNDmV5DUb1MkV7NZ5PAPIeHqinDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Energy Committee heard hours of testimony on House Bill 571 on Feb. 18, a bill the sponsor described as a privacy and fairness measure to prevent third‑party billing of light general‑aviation aircraft using ADS‑B broadcast data.

Representative Shane Klakken, sponsor of HB 571, told the committee the measure was intended to stop third parties and airports from using automatic dependent surveillance–broadcast, or ADS‑B, transmissions to generate landing or other user fees for private aircraft weighing 9,000 pounds or less and operating under Federal Aviation Administration Part 91 general‑aviation rules.

Klakken said the bill aims to protect private pilots who equipped their aircraft with ADS‑B—at owner expense for safety—from what proponents described as unexpected or opaque billing. “We just want to keep the general‑aviation small aircraft owner out of this,” Klakken said.

Proponents included Jack Galt, who said ADS‑B was designed for safety and efficiency and that using it as a billing mechanism was a mis‑purpose. Tim Robertson, president of the Montana Pilots Association, described the bill as about “privacy and fairness,” and emphasized general aviation’s role in emergency services and statewide transportation. Private pilots and flying‑club representatives recounted equipment costs ranging from about $2,500 to $6,000 and urged the committee to protect pilots from retroactive commercial billing.

Airport operators and municipal authorities opposed the bill. The president of the Montana Airport Managers Association said the measure would remove a tool that allows small airports to operate efficiently, reduce staff burdens and recover operating costs. Daniel Reimer, general counsel for Flathead Municipal Airport Authority (owner/operator of Glacier Park International Airport), stressed that ADS‑B transmissions and aircraft registration are public domain and that airports currently rely on user fees and modern tracking to be financially self‑sufficient.

Airport representatives described varied local practices: some airports already exempt smaller aircraft from landing fees, others use ADS‑B and vendor services (including a vendor named Vector) to cross‑reference landing events with FAA registration and issue bills. Reimer said Glacier Park International received roughly 6% of operating revenue from property taxes in 2024 and 94% from user fees; he warned the bill could force airports back to less efficient paper processes.

Committee members asked operational questions about thresholds and prevalence. Witnesses testified ADS‑B is legally required for certain airspace and above 10,000 feet; the bill’s proposed carve‑out would apply to aircraft under 9,000 pounds operating under Part 91. A Montana Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division official confirmed the state owns 15 airports and said the majority of noncommercial aircraft in Montana operate below the weight threshold.

No committee vote was taken; the hearing closed after proponents, opponents and informational witnesses testified. Committee staff and members said they learned new operational details during the hearing and will weigh local‑control and privacy concerns before further action.","House Bill 571 would ban using ADS‑B broadcast location data to bill light general‑aviation aircraft for landing fees. Pilots and aviation groups urged passage as a privacy and fairness measure; airport managers and municipal authorities opposed it, saying ADS‑B is public data and the bill would hinder efficient billing and local control.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628310,"Senate unanimously concurs with House Bill 178 limiting government use of AI after amendment",189,367000,556000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2718400-4968b3a9e1f7b7da0e0df38b47ec75ed&start=367&end=556","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2718400-4968b3a9e1f7b7da0e0df38b47ec75ed/thumbnail_367000.jpg","/articles/6628310/Montana/Senate-unanimously-concurs-with-House-Bill-178-limiting-government-use-of-AI-after-amendment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628310-88575573ed4a47360db0eef540a121d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770508272&Signature=DoBNGGRaP328nZC7tk9UjNqKhQ6HAap9MTE5LDUQhMoaoDNN1FMCNWinUC0aNKZ3WDrVJmSJDDcWp8b8Z2nmEkpSwa4DsY5lUDxA9aQUG-8sACmBf3cK7r89wnVNm53end5Fs7i9astaBhB87Y17SPagDW6OACWLuJFJANRU1dwIiFUiHb9NPrFghz6l92bRluoYO~rqW2tpnsji9EbHBpwqcCxM3Q4S7kFY6nokKnlTZH~djElOwsCmaV4C1CfThBkuNKnLsDPljN6YVYlS6QlFdZkLWXb2WBRSX7ucBNkJflQP3bPJDKWxAg8V3UgLFIatR7esTyaQ~ISBTsyVLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Energy Committee on Feb. 18 voted unanimously to concur in House Bill 178 after adopting an amendment that narrows the bill’s language on prohibited artificial intelligence uses.

The bill, introduced in the House by Representative Mitchell and presented to the committee in the Senate, would limit certain uses of AI systems by state and local government. Chair Zolnikoff explained the measure as designed to restrict government uses of AI in ways that go beyond safety and operational efficiency.

Committee members adopted an amendment that removes the phrase “high risk” from the bill’s text. The senator who explained the amendment said the change was intended to avoid leaving “high risk” open to interpretation and that established categories such as missing, endangered or wanted persons provide sufficient authority for law enforcement.

Senator Heyman sought clarity about the scope of the bill, asking whether the proposal would restrict types of AI currently used in state government. Chair Zolnikoff responded that the bill “prohibits it for cognitive behavioral manipulation, classifying people, or for use for malicious purpose or for surveillance of public spaces.”

After brief discussion, the committee approved the amendment by voice vote and then concurred in House Bill 178 as amended. Chair Zolnikoff called a voice vote; members responded in favor and the committee recorded the measure as passing unanimously.

The committee did not record roll-call tallies for either the amendment or the concurrence vote; both were decided by unanimous voice vote. The committee then recessed to await House business.

Votes and formal actions from the committee relate to the committee’s concurrence recommendation only; no committee-level amendments beyond the adopted language were reported to change statutory sections other than the struck term described above.","The Senate Energy Committee concurred in House Bill 178, which narrows permitted uses of artificial intelligence by state and local government. Lawmakers adopted an amendment removing the term \"high risk\" to avoid ambiguous interpretation and voted unanimously to concur in the bill as amended.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6628295,"Energy committee authorizes open‑title committee bill request ahead of NextEra hearing",351,577000,928000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2718400-4968b3a9e1f7b7da0e0df38b47ec75ed&start=577&end=928","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2718400-4968b3a9e1f7b7da0e0df38b47ec75ed/thumbnail_577000.jpg","/articles/6628295/Montana/Energy-committee-authorizes-opentitle-committee-bill-request-ahead-of-NextEra-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6628295-a12761cb56d4ff36aed9df88b3bb4599/orig.mp4?Expires=1770508272&Signature=bbFfeQFkv4jrjMuy48m3HKMv2BYZpCfZgNlR5Sv0zJ6CSt6RHGFIRoyj~bAemT9NVdrBQt1MCgQ6fvKOwkhBYK5Su7W5oRESqwIi1LtywV3O8cMP9eRxxh4OqPg9ZCEIjk3DJx4MxCty7HR44oKaz9mj9AYj80UGNDRNASv09mgX-yKPfTvVtb8B4iJTEK8VZRpZ15i8a1KHxYymshVIdQ6Y0i3sDNxSsooJuXHqrZcUIRejn~ma5~y5oNjyJMC2wglkfdYtWPLp0~R1KiVAuZMmROCkdPqs~V8qgNKOmmFHJg7xfN4FHbfLyL9jdhmu8U9ndFa3L2S~v0QhGn-fzA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators on the Energy Committee voted Feb. 18 to request an open‑title, generally revised energy‑laws committee bill so the committee would have a legislative vehicle if policy issues emerge from a scheduled hearing with NextEra on proposed Eastern Montana wind projects.

Senator Wagner moved the request, saying the committee may want a vehicle available after the hearing. Senator Bogner and others explained that making the request places the issue in a committee context and requires a later supermajority vote to add policy language, which provides broader buy‑in.

Senator Pope said he supported the motion because it gives the committee an opportunity to act together if the hearing warrants policy changes and noted the three‑quarters threshold is a “nice high hurdle” for committee consensus. After brief discussion, the committee approved the motion by voice vote; senators voting in favor answered “aye.”

Committee staff clarified that a committee bill shows a strong committee commitment, meets procedural deadlines and can be used if a policy response is needed after the NextEra informational hearing, which the committee scheduled for an upcoming Tuesday in Room 303.

The committee also discussed pursuing a separate committee bill to consider potential revisions to the Public Service Commission process; senators said that too should be a committee effort requiring broad support if pursued.","Committee voted to request a generally revised energy‑laws committee bill to give the panel a vehicle if issues arise during a NextEra hearing on proposed Eastern Montana wind projects. The motion passed by voice vote; members said a committee bill signals strong committee buy‑in and sets a higher internal approval threshold.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Bill to clarify pipeline access to public rights‑of‑way draws opposition from tribes and environmental groups

Pilots, airports clash over ADS‑B data use as committee hears House Bill 571 privacy measure

Senate unanimously concurs with House Bill 178 limiting government use of AI after amendment

Energy committee authorizes open‑title committee bill request ahead of NextEra hearing