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Committee reviews HB 760 to codify 3‑day cooling‑off rule for solar sales
Summary
House Bill 760 would require a three‑business‑day cancellation (cooling‑off) period for certain solar contracts and add disclosure requirements aimed at door‑to‑door sales. Industry associations and local solar businesses supported the bill; the Department of Justice’s consumer protection division described existing enforcement under Montana law.
House Energy, Technology and Government Affairs held a hearing on House Bill 760, a consumer‑protection bill that would codify a three‑business‑day cancellation period for certain solar contracts and require related disclosures.
Representative K. Kakos, the bill sponsor, told the committee the change is intended to protect customers — particularly elderly residents approached by door‑to‑door salespeople — by matching Montana law to the existing federal cooling‑off rule. Kakos said the bill would give homeowners a short period to review contracts and avoid being bound to agreements signed under pressure.
Industry and advocacy groups broadly supported the bill. Makena Sellers of the Montana Renewable Energy Association testified, “Our members are leaders in the Montana solar industry, and we’re committed to ensuring that every Montanan who invests in solar receives fair treatment, high quality of service, and honest information.” Other supporters that testified included Solar Montana, Risco Solar, Montana Farmers Union, and the Montana Environmental Information Center; proponents said codifying the federal cooling‑off standard will deter bad actors and protect the reputations of responsible local businesses.
Andrew Butler, supervising attorney for consumer protection at the Montana Department of Justice, appeared as an informational witness and said the substance of the bill is currently enforced under Montana code sections 30‑14‑103 and 30‑14‑104 and that the federal cooling‑off rule (16 CFR 429) applies to door‑to‑door sales. Butler stated the bill appears to “enhance” existing enforcement by calling out solar transactions specifically and providing a clear statutory reference.
Supporters urged a do‑pass; no opponents were registered at the hearing. The sponsor closed by calling HB 760 “a simple consumer protection enhancing bill” aimed at policing bad actors and protecting responsible business owners.
No formal committee vote was recorded during the hearing.
