House Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes a legislative study to evaluate the economic impacts of federal directives issued since January 20, 2025, on the citizens, businesses, and governments of Montana. The Legislative Finance Committee will oversee this study during the 2025-2026 interim, with the possibility of forming bipartisan subcommittees to aid in the research. The committee is required to produce a preliminary report by January 1, 2026, and a final report by September 1, 2026, which will be distributed to key stakeholders, including the governor, state legislators, tribal governments, and Montana's congressional delegation. The legislative fiscal division will provide necessary administrative support and fiscal analysis for the study.

The study will examine various issues, such as the loss of federal funding due to executive orders, the impact of tariffs on Montana's economy, and the effects on state agency operations and local government programs. It will specifically address concerns regarding the elimination of funding for local food programs, infrastructure projects, and the economic consequences of tariffs on imports. The bill also anticipates the impacts of federal workforce reductions on sectors like government services and agriculture, emphasizing potential losses in services from agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Forest Service. To support this study, the bill appropriates $215,000 from the general fund for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, and mandates notification to federally recognized tribal governments in Montana. The bill includes provisions for its effective date, a contingent voidness clause if it lacks an appropriation, and a termination date of December 31, 2026.