Bill > HB126

This bill revises Montana's administrative rulemaking process to enhance legislative oversight and public participation. The legislation makes several key changes to how state agencies develop and publish administrative rules. Specifically, agencies must now provide an electronic mail system for public comments and disseminate their email addresses through various media channels, including rulemaking notices and state websites. When proposing new rules that implement legislation, agencies are required to contact the primary bill sponsor in advance, inform them of key dates in the rulemaking process, and provide opportunities for the sponsor to comment. If an agency disagrees with the sponsor's comments, they must publish the sponsor's unredacted comments in the proposal notice and explain why those comments were not incorporated. The bill also strengthens public hearing requirements, mandating that agencies provide opportunities for interested persons to request presentations on proposed rules and submit oral or written questions or comments, and requiring agencies to respond to questions raised during hearings. Additionally, the bill places restrictions on rule adoption during the year preceding a legislative session, with some exceptions for emergency rules or rules where critical information was previously unavailable. These changes aim to increase transparency, encourage public involvement, and ensure closer legislative input in the administrative rulemaking process.

Government Affairs

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1205