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 definitions for "underserved" and speed thresholds (100 megabits download/20 megabits upload). HB 650 passed the committee on a roll-call vote of 12 ayes and 2 noes.

After extended discussion, the committee reconsidered House Bill 404 (previously tabled), a measure that generated sustained public comment and strong views among members. Representative Sharp said he wanted the full House to "hear a good debate" and noted broad public input, saying the topic was "a life and death matter for people." Representative Joy opposed bringing the bill to the floor, arguing that members of her family had "signed contracts voluntarily decade after decade" and calling as incorrect any suggestion the measure would prevent voluntary service. The committee voted first to take HB 404 off the table and then to pass it to the floor; both roll-call votes were reported as 8 ayes and 6 noes.

Several measures were tabled during the session. Chair Perry opened the hearing on House Bill 695; after Representative Sharp characterized the dispute as better handled in the courts, the committee voted to table HB 695 (voice vote reported as 14 ayes to table). Executive action on House Bill 811 included debate over costs and rate implications; an initial motion that HB 811 do pass failed on roll call (6 ayes, 8 no), and a subsequent motion to table the bill passed (reported 13 ayes, 1 no).

On resolutions, the committee considered two short-form measures. HJ 18, a joint resolution proclaiming support for admitting Washington, D.C., as a state, drew both expressions of support for enfranchising D.C. residents and objections that the resolution was partisan; the committee tabled HJ 18 on roll call (8 ayes, 6 no). The committee passed HJ 17, a resolution urging Congress and the president to reform permitting and environmental reviews to "unleash American energy," by roll call (8 ayes, 6 no). During debate on HJ 17, opponents said the bill did not demonstrate how the proposed changes would further national security.

Votes at a glance

- HB 760 (solar consumer protections): Passed (voice vote; reported 14-0). Sponsor: listed in transcript as "introduced by Nicolas Caucus." Key effect: three-day cancellation right for solar buyers as described by bill introducer. - HB 650 (state bonding for broadband; revises project definition): Passed to the floor (roll call 12-2). Sponsor: Representative Caleb Hinkle. Key point: authorizes bonding for projects that serve locations without existing broadband and includes speed eligibility language; committee referenced the Connect MT Act and MCA 90-1-602. - HB 404 (reconsidered and moved to floor): Reconsidered and passed to floor (each roll call 8-6); generated significant debate and public input. - HB 695: Tabled (reported voice vote 14 ayes to table). Motion carried to table after members described the dispute as more appropriately handled in court. - HB 811: Motion to pass failed (roll call 6-8); motion to table passed (reported 13 ayes, 1 no). Committee discussion raised concerns about transmission costs, cost-shifting to ratepayers, and eligibility for non-profits. - HJ 17 (resolution to urge permitting reform for energy): Passed (roll call 8-6). - HJ 18 (resolution supporting D.C. statehood): Tabled (roll call 8-6).

What to watch next

HB 650 and HB 404 will appear on the House floor calendar next, where full-chamber debate may alter both measures' prospects. HB 760 will move forward as approved by the committee; the transcript records a committee voice vote and a reported tally of 14-0. Measures that were tabled may be taken up again at the committee's discretion.

Attribution

Quotes in this report are drawn from the committee transcript and are attributed to the speaker who made them in the record: Chair Perry; Representative Sharp; Representative Joy; Representative Brewster; Representative Caleb Hinkle; Representative Carter. Where the transcript identified a staff member introducing a bill, that person is labeled "Staff member (bill introducer)."