House Bill No. introduced by J. Fitzpatrick aims to revise the definition of "public utility" in Montana law by amending Section 69-3-101, MCA. The bill clarifies that the term "public utility" encompasses various entities involved in the production and delivery of services such as heat, light, power, and regulated telecommunications. Notably, it introduces a new category of entities that are excluded from this definition, specifically a legally separate entity established by a public utility that owns or controls an electric generation facility supplying a customer with a monthly average load of 20 megawatts or more. This entity must meet specific requirements, including not being established through affiliate transactions and not impacting the utility's regulated customers financially.

Additionally, the bill appropriates $15,000 from the general fund to the Department of Commerce for the biennium starting July 1, 2025, to analyze Montana's growing energy demand in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Quality. The Department of Commerce is required to update the energy and telecommunications interim committee on this analysis by September 1, 2026. The bill's provisions will take effect upon passage and approval, with the appropriation section becoming effective on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 69-3-101
HB0911_1(1): 69-3-101
HB0911_1: 69-3-101