Legislator
Legislator > Dave Fern
State Senator
Dave Fern
(D) - Montana
Montana Senate District 02
In Office - Started: 01/06/2025
contact info
Whitefish Office
P.O. Box 4151
Whitefish, MT 59937
Whitefish, MT 59937
Phone: 406-212-0674
General Capitol Building Address
Capitol Building, 1301 E. 6th Ave.
P.O. Box 200500
Helena, MT 59620-0400
P.O. Box 200500
Helena, MT 59620-0400
Phone: 406-444-4800
| Bill | Bill Name | Summary | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| SB173 | Provide income tax relief for property taxes paid | AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT PROVIDING PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FOR RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAXES PAID; PROVIDING FOR A WORKFORCE RENTER'S TAX CREDIT FOR RENT- EQUIVALENT TAXES PAID; PROVIDING THAT A QUALIFYING TEACHER MAY EXCLUDE CERTAIN INCOME WHEN CALCULATING THE CREDIT; PROVIDING ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS; INCREASING THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAX CREDIT FOR THE ELDERLY; PROVIDING AN INFLATIONARY ADJUSTMENT FOR THE INCOME AT WHICH THE CREDITS PHASE OUT; AMING SECTIONS 15-30- 2303, 15-30-2337, 15-30-2340, AND 53-4-1103, MCA; REPEALING SECTIONS 4, 5, 9, AND 10, CHAPTER 476, LAWS OF 2021; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE AND A RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY DATE.” | Dead |
| SB171 | Transfer a portion of ending fund balance into the coal trust fund | AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A BIENNIAL TRANSFER OF EXCESS FUNDS INTO THE MONTANA COAL SEVERANCE TAX PERMANENT FUND; AMING SECTION 17-7-130, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.” | Dead |
| SB152 | Constitutional amendment to revise investment restrictions of coal trust fund | AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF MONTANA AN AMMENT TO ARTICLE VIII, SECTION 13, OF THE MONTANA CONSTITUTION TO ALLOW A PORTION OF THE COAL SEVERANCE TAX TRUST FUND TO BE INVESTED IN PRIVATE CORPORATE STOCK; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.” | Dead |
| SB304 | Revise Montana lakeshore laws | AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REVISING THE LAKESHORE PROTECTION ACT; PROVIDING FOR STOP-WORK ORDERS, SURETY BONDS, AND LIENS FOR UNAUTHORIZED LAKESHORE WORK; REVISING PENALTIES; REVISING A DEFINITION; AND AMING SECTIONS 75-7-202, 75-7-205, 75-7- 212, 75-7-214, AND 75-7-216, MCA.” | Dead |
| SB405 | Provide additional funding for the housing Montana fund | AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING LAWS RELATED TO HOUSING; TRANSFERRING FUNDS FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE HOUSING MONTANA FUND; REQUIRING ADMINISTRATIVE RULE UPDATES; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.” | Dead |
| SB267 | Provide a tax credit for charitable gifts to public infrastructure | AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT PROVIDING A TAX CREDIT FOR CHARITABLE GIFTS TO A PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT; PROVIDING FOR THE CREDIT AMOUNT; IDENTIFYING ELIGIBLE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS; PROVIDING A DEFINITION; AMING SECTION 15-30-2303, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN APPLICABILITY DATE.” | Dead |
| SB343 | Revert revenue from coal tax to coal trust | AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REVISING THE DISTRIBUTION OF MONEY FROM THE COAL SEVERANCE TAX TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT IN THE COAL SEVERANCE TAX PERMANENT FUND; REDIRECTING DISTRIBUTIONS OF REMAINING ALLOCATIONS FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE COAL SEVERANCE TAX PERMANENT FUND; AND AMING SECTION 15-35-108, MCA.” | Dead |
| SB546 | Provide income based tax credit | AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT REVISING THE CALCULATION OF INCOME TAX LIABILITIES FOR CERTAIN TAXPAYERS; ESTABLISHING AN INCOME-BASED TAX CREDIT SUBJECT TO A COMPLETE PHASEOUT WHEN INCOME INCREASES; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; AMING SECTION 15-30-2303, MCA; AND PROVIDING A DELAYED EFFECTIVE DATE AND AN APPLICABILITY DATE.” | Dead |
| SB550 | Revise taxation of of certain telecommunications property | AN ACT REVISING CLASS FIVE PROPERTY TO INCLUDE CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS PROPERTY; AMING SECTION 15-6-135, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE AND A RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY DATE.” | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SB471 | Generally revise vehicular traffic laws related to pedestrian crossings | AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING VEHICULAR TRAFFIC LAWS RELATED TO PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS; PROVIDING THE OFFENSE OFANGERMENT OF PEDESTRIANS; PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; AND AMING SECTION 61-8-502, MCA.” | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SB237 | Require revenue interim committee to make a recommendation about property tax rates | AN ACT REQUIRING THE REVENUE INTERIM COMMITTEE TO MAKE A RECOMMATION TO THE LEGISLATURE ABOUT WHETHER TO REVISE PROPERTY TAX RATES BASED ON THE TAXABLE VALUE NEUTRALITY REPORT; AND AMING SECTIONS 5-5-227 AND 15-7-111, MCA.” | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SB252 | Revise land use laws related to manufactured and factory built homes | AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING LAWS RELATED TO MANUFACTURED AND FACTORY-BUILT HOUSING; REQUIRING THAT MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY ZONING REGULATIONS TREAT MANUFACTURED AND FACTORY-BUILT HOUSING THE SAME AS OTHER TYPES OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY; INCLUDING MANUFACTURED HOUSING AS AN ALLOWABLE COMMERCIAL PURPOSE IN STATE TRUST LAND LEASES; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; AND AMING SECTIONS 76-2-202, 76-2-302, 76-25-103, 76-25- 303, AND 77-1-902, MCA. | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SB404 | Require reporting of building permits for appraisal information | AN ACT REQUIRING THAT CERTAIN BUILDING PERMITS BE SENT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE; REQUIRING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY TO STHE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE COPIES OF BUILDING PERMITS IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY NEW CONSTRUCTION; AND PROVIDING A DEFINITION.” | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SB88 | Revise laws related to the publication process of certificate of need letters of intent | AN ACT REVISING LAWS RELATED TO THE PUBLICATION PROCESS OF CERTIFICATE OF NEED LETTERS OF INTENT; AMING SECTION 50-5-302, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.” | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| SB172 | Revise resort tax eligibility and allow use for workforce housing | AN ACT REVISING RESORT TAX LAWS; PROVIDING THAT THE ADDITIONAL 1% RESORT TAX MAY BE USED FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; AND AMING SECTIONS 7-6-1501, 7- 6-1503, 7-6-1504, 7-6-1541, AND 7-6-1542, MCA.” | Signed/Enacted/Adopted |
| Bill | Bill Name | Motion | Vote Date | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB231 | Revise property tax rates for certain property | (S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| SB542 | Generally revise property tax laws | (S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| SB324 | Revise vehicle registration fees and allocate revenue for bridges and victims of crime | (S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Rejected | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| SB524 | Revise laws relating to category D assisted living facilities | (S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| SB40 | Revise supreme court public records laws by opening deliberations and files to the public | (S) 3rd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/30/2025 | Nay |
| HJ55 | Study resolution on property management licensing and practice | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HB682 | Generally revise laws regarding gender transition treatment | (S) 3rd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/30/2025 | Nay |
| HJ65 | Request interim study of DUI | (S) 3rd Reading Failed | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HB381 | Provide for educational credit for students volunteering in long term care, nursing home, home care, and child care settings | (S) 3rd Reading Governor's Proposed Amendments Adopted | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HJ62 | Study resolution on wildfire safety | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HJ51 | Request interim study on special education | (S) 3rd Reading Failed | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| SB319 | Generally revise health care laws related to doulas | (S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| SB472 | Revise penalties for violations under 310 permit process | (S) 3rd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HJ47 | Study resolution on local government entity cooperation | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HJ74 | Study resolution analyzing water re-use in the state | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HJ52 | Interim study on the Montana cattle industry | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HJ26 | Study guardianships and conservatorships | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| SB446 | Revise laws related to healthcare utilization review | (S) 3rd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HJ60 | Interim study on the effects and regulation of kratom | (S) 3rd Reading Failed | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HJ61 | Interim study on the property insurance market in Montana | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HB513 | Revise laws related to use of name, voice, and likeness of individuals and penalties for unauthorized use | (S) 3rd Reading Governor's Proposed Amendments Adopted | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HB818 | Ban foreign funding for ballot measures | (S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HB329 | Make the Montana ammunition act permanent | (S) 3rd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HB117 | Establish criminal justice data warehouse priorities | (S) 3rd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HJ44 | Interim study of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and water quality | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HJ42 | Interim study on procurement, no-bid contracts, and transparency on no-bid purchases | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HJ50 | Interim study of uniform common interest ownership laws | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HJ48 | Interim study on moving the date of the primary election | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/30/2025 | Yea |
| HB231 | Revise property tax rates for certain property | (S) 2nd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB542 | Generally revise property tax laws | (S) 2nd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HB116 | Provide for attorneys to appear remotely | (S) 2nd Reading Pass Motion Failed | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HB116 | Provide for attorneys to appear remotely | (S) 2nd Reading Indefinitely Postponed | 04/29/2025 | Nay |
| HB116 | Provide for attorneys to appear remotely | (S) Taken from Committee; Placed on 2nd Reading | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB537 | Generally revise marijuana tax laws | (S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB324 | Revise vehicle registration fees and allocate revenue for bridges and victims of crime | (S) 2nd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB524 | Revise laws relating to category D assisted living facilities | (S) 2nd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB93 | Revise income taxes related to retired military members | (S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB40 | Revise supreme court public records laws by opening deliberations and files to the public | (S) 2nd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HB76 | Generally revise laws related to the board of behavioral health | (S) 3rd Reading Governor's Proposed Amendments Adopted | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB535 | Revise laws related to experimental treatments | (S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB545 | Establish the Danny L. Radish Highway in Lincoln County | (S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ55 | Study resolution on property management licensing and practice | (S) 2nd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ55 | Study resolution on property management licensing and practice | (S) 2nd Reading Motion to Amend Failed | 04/29/2025 | Nay |
| HB682 | Generally revise laws regarding gender transition treatment | (S) 2nd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB326 | Generally revise laws related to MEDIA Act film tax credits | (S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB536 | Revise contractor gross receipts tax | (S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HB446 | Revise indecent exposure laws | (S) 3rd Reading Governor's Proposed Amendments Adopted | 04/29/2025 | Nay |
| HJ65 | Request interim study of DUI | (S) 2nd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HB271 | Provide that there is a limited executive privilege to the public records act | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HB381 | Provide for educational credit for students volunteering in long term care, nursing home, home care, and child care settings | (S) 2nd Reading Governor's Proposed Amendments Adopted | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB333 | Repeal sunset on coal washing credit | (S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ23 | Interim study on youth court laws | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ62 | Study resolution on wildfire safety | (S) 2nd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ51 | Request interim study on special education | (S) 2nd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB319 | Generally revise health care laws related to doulas | (S) 2nd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB218 | Provide for private right of action for injuries caused by certain medical interventions to treat gender dysphoria | (S) 3rd Reading Governor's Proposed Amendments Adopted | 04/29/2025 | Nay |
| SB472 | Revise penalties for violations under 310 permit process | (S) 2nd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ59 | Request interim study on media literacy | (S) 2nd Reading Pass Motion Failed | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ59 | Request interim study on media literacy | (S) 2nd Reading Indefinitely Postponed | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ32 | Interim study of advanced investigator qualifications for law enforcement | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ47 | Study resolution on local government entity cooperation | (S) 2nd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ28 | Interim study to identify and improve access to federal grant opportunities for the state of Montana, tribal governments, and local government entities | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ58 | Request interim study on increasing impact of school counselors | (S) 2nd Reading Indefinitely Postponed | 04/29/2025 | Nay |
| HJ58 | Request interim study on increasing impact of school counselors | (S) 2nd Reading Pass Motion Failed | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ74 | Study resolution analyzing water re-use in the state | (S) 2nd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ52 | Interim study on the Montana cattle industry | (S) 2nd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ26 | Study guardianships and conservatorships | (S) 3rd Reading Failed | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ26 | Study guardianships and conservatorships | (S) 3rd Reading Failed | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ45 | Interim study on the impact collateral consequences have on criminal record expungement | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB424 | Revising the disabled veteran property tax assistance program | (S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB260 | Provide for alteration of service district boundaries | (S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB446 | Revise laws related to healthcare utilization review | (S) 2nd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ53 | Request an interim study on school safety | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ71 | Study resolution of the impact of federal funding changes on DEQ | (S) 2nd Reading Pass Motion Failed | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ71 | Study resolution of the impact of federal funding changes on DEQ | (S) 2nd Reading Indefinitely Postponed | 04/29/2025 | Nay |
| HJ60 | Interim study on the effects and regulation of kratom | (S) 2nd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SJ47 | Study resolution on the creation or alteration of local government entities | (S) 3rd Reading Passed | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ61 | Interim study on the property insurance market in Montana | (S) 2nd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HB513 | Revise laws related to use of name, voice, and likeness of individuals and penalties for unauthorized use | (S) 2nd Reading Governor's Proposed Amendments Adopted | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HB513 | Revise laws related to use of name, voice, and likeness of individuals and penalties for unauthorized use | (S) 2nd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HB818 | Ban foreign funding for ballot measures | (S) 2nd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB253 | Revise administrative and certification processes for student scholarship organizations | (S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB560 | Provide for a hospital community benefit fee | (S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SB553 | Generally revise state policy laws | (S) 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House | 04/29/2025 | Nay |
| HB329 | Make the Montana ammunition act permanent | (S) 2nd Reading Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ30 | Study resolution on incentivizing housing density and affordability | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HB117 | Establish criminal justice data warehouse priorities | (S) 2nd Reading Free Conference Committee Report Adopted | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ75 | Interim study of the Montana state hospital | (S) 2nd Reading Pass Motion Failed | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ75 | Interim study of the Montana state hospital | (S) 2nd Reading Indefinitely Postponed | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ44 | Interim study of endocrine-disrupting chemicals and water quality | (S) 2nd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ42 | Interim study on procurement, no-bid contracts, and transparency on no-bid purchases | (S) 2nd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ50 | Interim study of uniform common interest ownership laws | (S) 2nd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ40 | Interim study on transferring fiscal note production from executive branch to legislative branch | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SJ40 | Interim study on legislative branch procurement and leadership expenditures | (S) 3rd Reading Passed | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ56 | Study resolution of search and rescue services and funding | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| SJ43 | Study of the criminal justice data warehouse | (S) 3rd Reading Passed | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ48 | Interim study on moving the date of the primary election | (S) 2nd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ63 | Request interim study on early literacy | (S) 2nd Reading Indefinitely Postponed | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HJ63 | Request interim study on early literacy | (S) 2nd Reading Pass Motion Failed | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| HB954 | Extend PL280 termination date | (S) 3rd Reading Concurred | 04/29/2025 | Yea |
| State | District | Chamber | Party | Status | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MT | Montana Senate District 02 | Senate | Democrat | In Office | 01/06/2025 | |
| MT | Montana House District 005 | House | Democrat | Out of Office | 01/02/2017 | 01/07/2025 |