Montana prices and inflation

The EIA fact measures retail electricity revenue per kilowatthour across sectors. Recommendations on energy supply and electricity infrastructure concern affordability, but an advisory council does not set utility rates or establish cheaper electricity. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained Montana evidence context: Average retail electricity price. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GREG GIANFORTE, Governor of the State of Montana, pursuant to the authority vested in me under the Constitution, Mont. Code Ann. § 2-15-122 and any other applicable statutes, do hereby authorize the creation of the Energy Advisory Council, also known as the Unleashing American-Made Energy Task Force ("Task Force"), and order as follows: PURPOSE The Task Force shall provide the Governor with short- and long-term recommendations and strategies for Montana to increase the supply of affordable and reliable energy options. In developing recommendations and strategies, the Task Force shall seek input from Montana citizens, large energy consumers, energy and transmission developers, utilities and rural electric cooperatives, members of the Montana Legislature, associations whose members are impacted by energy policy, advisory groups and researchers focused on energy supply and affordability, and other appropriate stakeholders as determined by the Task Force. COMPOSITION The Task Force shall consist of up to 20 members who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor. The Director of the Department of Environmental Quality shall serve as the presiding officer of the Task Force. The Task Force shall include, but not be limited to, persons from the following categories: • members or staff of professional associations representing business, industry, and workers; • members of staff or representatives of electric utilities and rural electric cooperatives; • state agency directors, or their designees, including from the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Commerce; • elected officials, including state legislators and leaders from local jurisdictions; • members of state boards, councils, and commissions; • subject matter experts and researchers; and • stakeholders. The Department of Environmental Quality shall provide administrative support for the Task Force. Given the diverse composition of the Task Force, meetings may be conducted in person throughout the state and/or remotely as determined by the presiding officer. REPORT By September 15, 2026, the Task Force shall provide an initial written report to the Governor with recommendations and strategies to unleash American-made energy in Montana, specifically focusing on measures the Governor could immediately implement and those the Legislature could consider and the Governor could sign into law. The Task Force's report shall identify federal, state, regulatory, and other governmental policies that inhibit or limit increasing affordable and reliable energy supply. TERMINATION The Task Force shall cease to exist on September 30, 2027, unless rescinded earlier or renewed by subsequent executive order. COMPENSATION Council Members shall be entitled to reasonable travel expense reimbursement under Mont. Code Ann. 2-15-122. THIS ORDER is effective immediately.

Household money income includes wages before taxes. Minimum-wage proposals and settlement of unpaid wages concern that income component, without establishing a change in statewide median household income. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained Montana evidence context: Median household income. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

Section 1. Section 39-3-409, MCA, is amended to read: "39-3-409. Adoption of minimum wage rates -- exception. (1) The minimum wage, except as provided in subsection (3), must be the greater of either: (a) the minimum hourly wage rate as provided under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)), excluding the value of tips received by the employee and the special provisions for a training wage; or (b) $12.06 an hour, excluding the value of tips received by the employee and the special provisions for a training wage. (2) (a) The minimum wage is subject to a cost-of-living adjustment, as provided in subsection (2)(b). (b) No later than September 30 of each year, an adjustment of the wage amount specified in subsection (1) must be made based upon the increase, if any, from August of the preceding year to August of the year in which the calculation is made in the consumer price index, U.S. city average, all urban consumers, for all items, as published by the bureau of labor statistics of the United States department of labor. (c) The wage amount established under this subsection (2): (i) must be rounded to the nearest 5 cents; and (ii) becomes effective as the new minimum wage, replacing the dollar figure specified in subsection (1), on January 1 of the following year. " NEW SECTION. Section 2. Effective date. [This act] is effective July 1, 2025.

The EIA fact is a five-state Rocky Mountain regional proxy covering Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming, not a Montana-only price. Rules identifying the distributor liable for gasoline tax concern a price component in one of those states. They do not establish a tax-rate change or consumer savings. This relationship does not establish causation. Actions after the measurement period cannot explain its earlier value.

Retained Montana evidence context: Rocky Mountain regular gasoline price. This record’s connection to the topic does not establish an effect on the measured result.

(4) (a) Except as provided in subsection (4)(b), when gasoline, special fuel, or aviation fuel is withdrawn from a refinery or pipeline terminal in this state, the gasoline, special fuel, or aviation fuel is considered to be distributed by the distributor who is the owner of the gasoline, special fuel, or aviation fuel prior to the time of withdrawal. (b) If gasoline, special fuel, or aviation fuel is withdrawn for shipment or delivery to a licensed distributor, it is considered to be distributed by the first licensed distributor to take possession of the gasoline, special fuel, or aviation fuel as shown by the bill of lading issued by the terminal or refinery. (5) Imported gasoline, special fuel, or aviation fuel, except for gasoline, special fuel, or aviation fuel placed in storage at a refinery or pipeline terminal, is considered to be distributed after it arrives and is brought to rest in this state by the person who is the owner of the gasoline, special fuel, or aviation fuel at the time the gasoline, special fuel, or aviation fuel is unloaded from its shipping vessel. If the owner is not licensed as a Montana distributor and if the gasoline, special fuel, or aviation fuel is shipped or delivered in this state by a person who is licensed as a distributor, then the gasoline, special fuel, or aviation fuel is considered to be distributed by the licensed distributor. (6) For the purposes of the tax provided for in this section, gasoline, special fuel, and aviation fuel may not be exchanged tax-free between licensed distributors more than one time.