Montana House Energy committee tables two measures, advances solar consumer-protection and broadband bonding; DC statehood resolution tabled

The Montana House Energy Committee met to consider a docket of energy and broadband measures, taking action on multiple bills and two joint resolutions.

In the meeting the committee tabled House Bill 695 after a motion to table passed by voice vote, rejected a do-pass motion on House Bill 811 on roll call and then tabled it, approved House Bill 760 (a solar consumer-protection bill) by voice vote, advanced House Bill 650 (broadband bonding language) to the House floor, tabled House Joint Resolution 18 (support for Washington, D.C., statehood), and passed House Joint Resolution 17 (a resolution urging permitting and regulatory changes tied to energy/national-security arguments). The committee also took a reconsideration and passed House Bill 404 to the floor.

Why it matters: several of the measures affect implementation of energy and broadband policy in Montana — HB 760 would add a short cancellation right for solar buyers, HB 650 revises bonding eligibility for broadband projects and references the Connect MT criteria, and HJ 17 signals the committee—s stance on federal permitting and environmental review in the context of energy policy. These actions move several items to the House floor and table others for possible later action.

Key outcomes and short notes

- HB 695 — Motion to table carried by voice vote; committee reported a tabling motion with 14 ayes. The hearing on HB 695 was closed and the EA (executive action) ended with the bill tabled.

- HB 811 — The committee heard discussion about whether utilities and ratepayers should cover transmission and fixed costs for distributed generation; Representative Joy said she would vote no, arguing fixed costs were not being accounted for the same way for nonprofits. A roll-call on the do-pass motion resulted in 6 ayes and 8 noes (motion failed). A subsequent motion to table carried by voice vote with a 13–1 tally; HB 811 was tabled.

- HB 760 (solar consumer protection) — Introduced as a bill providing a solar buyer—s right to cancel within three business days, the committee heard supporters describe it as a protection for customers facing high-pressure sales pitches. Representative Carter said, “I—m supporting this. I think it—s in the best interest of customers who receive a high pressure sales pitch to be able to stop and consider that.” The committee approved the bill by voice vote (reported as 14 ayes, zero noes), and the motion carried.

- HJ 18 (support for D.C. statehood) — The resolution, described in the hearing as a joint resolution proclaiming Montana—s support for admitting Washington, D.C., into the Union, generated debate about whether the primary intent of D.C. statehood is to gain two U.S. Senate seats. On a roll call the motion to table passed 8–6 and HJ 18 was tabled.

- HJ 17 (resolution on permitting/regulatory reform for energy) — Introduced by Representative Steve Fitzpatrick, HJ 17 urges Congress and the president to reform permitting and revise or repeal certain environmental reviews that the resolution frames as inconsistent with national security interests. The committee debated whether the resolution properly linked the referenced federal statutes to national-security concerns. A roll call recorded 8 ayes and 6 noes; HJ 17 passed the committee.

- HB 650 (broadband bonding authorization) — Presented as an act authorizing state bonding for broadband services and revising the definition of eligible projects, committee discussion referenced existing law from the 2021 Connect MT program and the 2021 ARPA broadband legislation. Committee staff quoted the Connect MT definition stating that underserved locations are those not meeting a “100 megabits downloads and 20 megabits upload” threshold and noted the 80% threshold for underserved-service projects. The committee voted 12–2 to pass HB 650 to the House floor.

- HB 404 (reconsidered and passed to the floor) — Representative Sharp moved to reconsider HB 404 (previously tabled). After debate, the committee voted to take the bill off the table, then voted 8–6 to pass HB 404 to the floor.

Discussion versus formal action

Committee debate included technical and policy questions (for example, whether the state needs to add bonding authority for broadband projects that meet Connect MT criteria and how to apportion transmission-fixed costs for nonprofit or community solar). Several members emphasized that some disputes might be better resolved in courts or in other venues rather than by committee action. The committee frequently used voice votes for noncontroversial measures and roll-call votes for more contested items.

Votes at a glance (motions, tallies, outcomes)

- HB 695: Motion to table — outcome: tabled; reported voice vote: 14 ayes to table.

- HB 811: Do-pass motion — outcome: failed on roll call, 6 ayes, 8 noes; subsequent motion to table carried (voice vote reported: 13 ayes, 1 no).

- HB 760: Do-pass motion — outcome: passed by voice vote; reported tally 14 ayes, 0 noes; carried.

- HJ 18: Motion to table — outcome: tabled on roll call 8 ayes, 6 noes.

- HJ 17: Do-pass motion — outcome: passed on roll call 8 ayes, 6 noes.

- HB 650: Do-pass to floor — outcome: passed to House floor on roll call 12 ayes, 2 noes.

- HB 404: Reconsideration and do-pass to floor — outcome: passed to House floor on roll call 8 ayes, 6 noes.

What speakers said (selected quotes)

- Representative Carter on HB 760: “I—m supporting this. I think it—s in the best interest of customers who receive a high pressure sales pitch to be able to stop and consider that.”

- Representative Joy on distributed-generation cost treatment (HB 811): she said the way fixed transmission costs are being handled for nonprofits “bothers me.”

- Committee staff on Connect MT definitions (quoting MCA): “Underserved area means a location or area that is not in an unserved location, with the speed of not less than a hundred megabits downloads and 20 megabits upload,” and staff noted the ‘‘80% of broadband serviceable locations— threshold for underserved-service projects.—

Meeting context and next steps

Several bills with direct implementation effects on state programs were advanced to the House floor (HB 650, HB 760, HB 404). Measures the committee tabled may be returned for further consideration at the committee—s discretion. For bills advancing to the House floor, subsequent committee reports, amendments, or floor debate may alter final provisions.

Ending: House Energy adjourned after taking the actions above; the committee recorded no further business before adjournment.