Bill
HJ 20
HJ 20 states Montana’s Legislature seeks funding from federal or state sources to support infrastructure, staffing, and modernization of Montana–Canada border ports of entry.
Status snapshot
- Bill number: HJ 20 (joint resolution)
- Introduced: January 22, 2025 (House)
- Current status: Enrolled and filed with the Secretary of State (filed 2025-05-07). Enrolled signatures: House Speaker (2025-05-01) and Senate President (2025-05-02).
- Legislative progress: Passed the House (3rd reading 2025-03-28), transmitted to Senate, passed/concurred in the Senate (3rd reading concurred 2025-04-25), returned from enrolling 2025-04-29, filed with Secretary of State 2025-05-07.
- Related bill: LC 3267 (replaced)
Purpose and intent
- HJ 20 is a joint resolution expressing the Legislature’s position on funding for Montana’s land ports of entry on the Canada–Montana border. The resolution’s expressed purpose is to address the funding needs for customs ports of entry—likely referring to infrastructure, staffing, operations, or modernization of facilities that process cross‑border trade and travel.
Key provisions (based on available legislative metadata)
- The public version content was not included in the provided material; therefore the exact text and operative clauses are not available here. Typical elements found in similar joint resolutions include one or more of the following:
- A statement of legislative findings about the condition, need, or importance of Montana’s Canada ports of entry.
- A request or memorial to the federal government (Congress, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or federal appropriations committees) to allocate federal funding for construction, staffing, modernization, or security of ports of entry.
- A request for state funding, state matching funds, or authorization for state agencies to seek federal grants.
- Direction to state agencies to pursue federal grant opportunities or to report back to the Legislature about needs and costs.
- Because the enrolled text is not provided here, readers should consult the official enrolled resolution for the exact operative language.
Who/what would be affected
- Border communities and local governments along the Montana–Canada border (e.g., towns adjacent to ports of entry).
- State agencies involved in transportation, infrastructure, commerce, and cross‑border coordination (e.g., Department of Transportation).
- Federal partners, primarily U.S. Customs and Border Protection and federal funding authorities, if the resolution seeks federal appropriations or action.
- Shippers, travelers, tourism businesses, and regional trade that rely on efficient ports of entry.
- Montana taxpayers if the resolution requests state appropriations or matching funds.
Procedural and timeline notes
- HJ 20 completed the legislative process in both chambers: committee hearings in the House and Senate (Energy, Technology & Federal Relations; Highways and Transportation), committee reports of “Bill Passed/Concurred,” floor passage in the House, concurrence in the Senate, enrolling, and filing with the Secretary of State on May 7, 2025.
- As a joint resolution, it typically serves as a formal policy statement or a memorial requesting action by federal authorities; it generally does not create an ongoing statutory program unless the text includes specific authorizations or appropriations. Consult the enrolled text to determine whether the resolution requires appropriation or creates binding obligations.
Where to find the full text
- For the resolution’s specific language and any concrete funding requests or authorizations, consult the official enrolled copy filed with the Montana Secretary of State or the legislative bill page (search HJ 20 / LC 3267).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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