House Energy advances broadband bonding and solar consumer protections, tables several measures and sends a contested bill to the floor

Chair Perry convened the House Energy Committee and members moved quickly through executive action on multiple bills, tabling three measures, approving a solar-consumer protection measure and advancing broadband-bonding language and a contested bill to the House floor.

The committee adopted House Bill 760, described by staff as "the solar consumer protection bill," which, the introducer said, "provides the solar's buyers right to cancel within 3 business days." Representative Carter said he supported the bill because "it is in the best interest of customers who receive a high pressure sales pitch to be able to stop and consider that and be able to think about it instead of having to make a decision on the spot." The committee approved HB 760 by voice vote (reported 14 ayes, 0 no).

The panel also removed House Bill 650 from the table and voted to send it to the floor. Representative Caleb Hinkle is listed as the bill sponsor; Representative Brewster summarized the measure as adding to the list of projects eligible for state bonding and said the bill "adds, facilities provide broadband service exclusively to locations where broadband is not offered and then it limits the speeds, that it can be paid." During that exchange committee members referenced the Connect MT Act and the statutory standard MCA 90-1-602, noting…