House Bill No. introduced by B. Mercer and J. Esp establishes the Government Evidence and Impact Commission in Montana. The commission will consist of various voting and non-voting members, including legislative leaders, agency directors, and a public member appointed by the governor. The commission is tasked with developing a system for evidence and impact analysis to inform executive and legislative decision-making, identify inefficient programs, and recommend improvements. It will meet quarterly starting June 1, 2025, and will encourage public participation during meetings.

The bill appropriates $75,000 from the general fund to the Department of Administration for the commission's operational costs through the biennium ending June 30, 2025, and into the following biennium. The act is set to take effect upon passage and approval, with a termination date of December 31, 2026. The commission's duties include reviewing data system implementations, analyzing programs for potential efficiencies, and assessing the costs associated with providing access to data and evidence for better policy decisions.