House Bill No. [insert number] aims to establish a Montana Energy Authority to oversee the development and coordination of energy generation and electric transmission within the state. The bill outlines the authority's powers, which include facilitating planning, employing necessary personnel, and participating in regional energy initiatives. It mandates that state agencies cooperate with the authority and provides for the creation of a special revenue account funded by the wholesale energy transaction tax to support the authority's activities. The bill also introduces new reporting requirements, including an annual report summarizing the authority's activities and recommendations.

Key changes in the bill include the establishment of the authority with a revised membership structure, reducing the number of appointed members from 14 to 13, and adding two ex officio legislative liaisons. The bill also specifies that the authority will include members with diverse backgrounds in energy consumption and generation, including representatives from small businesses and renewable energy sectors. Additionally, it amends existing laws to ensure that funds from the wholesale energy transaction tax are allocated to the authority, with a statutory appropriation to support its administrative costs. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will terminate on December 31, 2031.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 15-72-106, 17-7-502
HB0314_1(1): 15-72-106, 17-7-502
HB0314_1(2): 15-72-106, 17-7-502
HB0314_1(3): 15-72-106, 17-7-502
HB0314_1(4): 15-72-106, 17-7-502
HB0314_1(5): 15-72-106, 17-7-502
HB0314_1(6): 15-72-106, 17-7-502
HB0314_1(7): 15-72-106, 17-7-502
HB0314_1: 15-72-106, 17-7-502
HB0314_2(1): 15-72-106, 17-7-502
HB0314_2(2): 15-72-106, 17-7-502
HB0314_2(3): 15-72-106, 17-7-502
HB0314_2(4): 15-72-106, 17-7-502
HB0314_2(5): 15-72-106, 17-7-502
HB0314_2(6): 15-72-106, 17-7-502
HB0314_2(7): 15-72-106, 17-7-502
HB0314_2(8): 15-72-106, 17-7-502
HB0314_2: 15-72-106, 17-7-502