The record by year
On the record as of October 27, 2026.
An act sits on the day it happened: the day its own sentence names, or the day its source gives for it. An act the record knows only from the date of the article that reported it sits under that article's month, one tap away, marked Reported with the article's date. So do background, plans and statements, which are not acts. The same act reported by several sources is one line with the reports behind it, on its day where any of them dates it. The milestones alone, for every state, are on the timeline.
24 acts on the line for Montana, from 102 dated lines in the records' histories and the scorecard. 39 more acts are dated only by the article that reported them and sit under their month. 7 lines report an act already listed. 32 lines are background, plans or statements. 11 lines sit on a date other than the one they were filed under, because their own sentence names the day, the month or the year it happened; each says so. Where a line sits is read from its own words and the row is never changed (how dates are read).
2026 21 acts on the line from 27 reports; 39 reported, dated only by the article; 32 lines of background, plans and statements
October 2026 1 act on the line
Yellowstone County Commission approved a road use and maintenance agreement with data center developer Quantica Infrastructure for a planned data center north of Billings, Montana.
billingsgazette.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet
September 2026 5 acts on the line from 10 reports; 15 reported; 26 lines of background, plans and statements
Montana Supreme Court granted an injunction pending appeal to require a ballot question for voter approval of future data centers in Butte to appear on November ballots.
bozemandailychronicle.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet
Montana Supreme Court ordered Thursday that a question about whether to effectively ban data centers in Butte won't appear on general election ballot
billingsgazette.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (the weekday its sentence names, the last before the report)
Yellowstone County commissioners approved revised ballot initiative for data center regulations on Wednesday, September 24, 2026
billingsgazette.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (the day its own sentence names)
Montana Supreme Court granted injunction on September 23, 2026 allowing ballot initiative to appear on November ballots requiring two thirds voter approval for future data centers in Butte-Silver Bow County
yourwyominglink.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet
1 more report of this
- Reported September 23 Montana Supreme Court granted an injunction placing a ballot initiative requiring a two-thirds majority vote for any data center development in Butte on the November 2026 ballot montanarightnow.com (opens in a new tab)
Montana Supreme Court ruled on September 22 that Butte data center citizens initiative can appear on November ballot
kbzk.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet
4 more reports of this
- Sep 22 Montana Supreme Court ruled on September 22 that a ballot initiative allowing citizens to vote on data centers in Butte-Silver Bow County can appear on the November 2026 ballot kbzk.com (opens in a new tab)
- Sep 22 Montana Supreme Court ruled on September 22 that a local ballot initiative could appear on the November ballot allowing citizens of Butte-Silver Bow County to vote on data centers kbzk.com (opens in a new tab)
- Reported September 23 Montana Supreme Court ruled to overturn lower court decision and allow Butte data center ballot initiative on November ballot montanafreepress.org (opens in a new tab)
- Reported September 24 Montana Supreme Court vacated an injunction that temporarily prevented a proposed data center ballot initiative from appearing on the November ballot in Butte-Silver Bow County montanafreepress.org (opens in a new tab)
Reported in September 2026, dated only by the article that carried them: 15 acts
Montana Supreme Court declined to rehear order keeping a ballot measure about banning data centers off the general election ballot in Butte-Silver Bow
billingsgazette.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Yellowstone County commissioners sent a letter asking local legislators to refine the Right to Compute Act
montanafreepress.org (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Kassi Solberg collected more than 14,000 signatures toward a ballot initiative requiring voter approval for data centers in Yellowstone County
montanafreepress.org (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Montana Supreme Court granted an injunction allowing a data center ballot initiative to appear on November ballots in Butte Silver Bow
mtstandard.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Great Falls Development Alliance hosted sixth Data Center Task Force meeting on September 28, 2026, to review learnings from previous five meetings and develop community framework for data center projects
theelectricgf.com (opens in a new tab), news outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Montana Supreme Court ordered Butte Silver Bow to certify Local Initiative 00-02 for the November 3, 2026 ballot despite deadline dispute
fairfieldsuntimes.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
1 more report of this
- Reported September 24 Montana Supreme Court vacated its injunction on a Butte Silver Bow data center ballot initiative nbcmontana.com (opens in a new tab)
Custer County Commission held public hearing on proposed updates to county zoning regulations with majority of discussion on newly added language regulating data centers.
thegazette.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Missoula planning commission approved code changes to the Unified Development Code.
billingsgazette.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Montana Energy and Technology Interim Committee advanced a draft bill on a unanimous voice vote to protect power customers from data center infrastructure costs
missoulacurrent.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Missoula County implemented one year moratorium on new or expanded data centers effective July 9, 2026
montanarightnow.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Butte-Silver Bow County Commissioner Michele Shea requested the council of commissioners' support in directing County Attorney Matt Enrooth to draft a potential temporary moratorium on data centers.
missoulian.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Yellowstone County residents and opponents of the Quantica data center project in Broadview requested interim zoning to pause development pending county review of data center impacts.
montanafreepress.org (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
District court judge Frank Joseph upheld Butte-Silver Bow clerk's decision to nullify ballot initiative by 406 People First requiring two thirds majority vote on data center proposals
montanarightnow.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Judge Joseph cited state statute 13-28-206 establishing July 13 deadline for signatures; county erroneously gave August 14 deadline
montanarightnow.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
A Butte judge ruled against 406 People First in its lawsuit over a data center ballot initiative signature dispute.
facebook.com (opens in a new tab), social media (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Also on the record for September 2026, not acts of their own: 26 lines of background, plans and statements
Initiative requires special election in which two thirds of all registered voters approve a data center project before county can authorize construction or expansion
kbzk.com (opens in a new tab) (a description, not an act)
Kassi Solberg aims to have a ballot initiative approved for the Yellowstone County election on May 4, 2027
montanafreepress.org (opens in a new tab) (a plan or a schedule, not an act yet)
The Supreme Court noted ballots had already been printed and mailed before issuing their injunction
nbcmontana.com (opens in a new tab) (a statement; who said what is on the statements pages)
The proposed ballot initiative would require citizen approval of data center development in Butte-Silver Bow County
montanafreepress.org (opens in a new tab) (a plan or a schedule, not an act yet)
The ballot initiative prohibits any construction or expansion of data centers within Butte Silver Bow city county without voter approval
dailymontanan.com (opens in a new tab) (a description, not an act)
Ballot initiative would require two thirds approval of all registered voters to authorize data center construction or expansion
montanafreepress.org (opens in a new tab) (a plan or a schedule, not an act yet)
The initiative would require two thirds approval from registered Butte Silver Bow voters before data centers can be built or expanded
mtstandard.com (opens in a new tab) (a plan or a schedule, not an act yet)
Local Initiative 00-02 would define data center and bar the city county from approving construction or expansion without a special election and support from two thirds of all registered voters
fairfieldsuntimes.com (opens in a new tab) (a plan or a schedule, not an act yet)
Yellowstone County Commissioners asked their district court in July 2026 for a judgment on the constitutionality of a citizen petition requiring voter approval for data center developments.
montanafreepress.org (opens in a new tab) (a statement; who said what is on the statements pages)
The changes tighten how the city defines a data center and whether it is classified as a primary or secondary use, making it more restrictive for new developments.
billingsgazette.com (opens in a new tab) (a description, not an act)
The changes still need approval from Missoula City Council before they go into effect.
billingsgazette.com (opens in a new tab) (a description, not an act)
Great Falls Development Alliance Data Center Task Force meeting scheduled for September 28 to develop community framework for future data center projects
theelectricgf.com (opens in a new tab) (a plan or a schedule, not an act yet)
Montana lawmakers are moving forward with legislation designed to shield residential electric utility ratepayers from the costs to accommodate power hungry data centers and other large load customers.
rtoinsider.com (opens in a new tab) (a description, not an act)
Butte Silver Bow commissioners consider moratorium preventing construction of new data centers
montanarightnow.com (opens in a new tab) (a description, not an act)
Proposed moratorium would last six months with maximum of two one year extensions
montanarightnow.com (opens in a new tab) (a plan or a schedule, not an act yet)
County Attorney Enrooth to submit temporary zoning ordinance draft by Friday
montanarightnow.com (opens in a new tab) (no act in the sentence)
The bill requires the Public Service Commission to create a new customer class for large loads (at least 5 megawatts a month) and prevent cost shifting to other ratepayers
missoulacurrent.com (opens in a new tab) (a description, not an act)
Missoula County is preparing study on data center impacts and mitigation strategies, with draft presentations planned for November 4 and 12, 2026
montanarightnow.com (opens in a new tab) (a plan or a schedule, not an act yet)
A ballot initiative to require voter approval before any new data centers could be constructed is currently awaiting an emergency appeal hearing in the Montana Supreme Court.
missoulian.com (opens in a new tab) (a description, not an act)
If commissioners approve the moratorium, it would be in place for six months with an option to extend it for one year, up to a total of two and a half years.
missoulian.com (opens in a new tab) (a plan or a schedule, not an act yet)
Yellowstone County Attorney Scott Twito said the 2025 Right to Compute Act, passed with bipartisan support (61-38 House, 50-0 Senate), prevents interim zoning on data centers by requiring restrictions be narrowly tailored and preventing restrictions if less restrictive means exist.
montanafreepress.org (opens in a new tab) (a statement; who said what is on the statements pages)
406 People First appealing to Montana Supreme Court seeking expedited hearing before November elections
montanarightnow.com (opens in a new tab) (no act in the sentence)
Judge Joseph suggested Butte-Silver Bow hold special election to remedy the error
montanarightnow.com (opens in a new tab) (a statement; who said what is on the statements pages)
Missoula currently requires data centers to recycle electronic waste and bring new renewable energy online
easternprogress.com (opens in a new tab) (a description, not an act)
Montana Democratic Party this summer added support for a two year moratorium on data center development into its platform
billingsgazette.com (opens in a new tab) (an act at a time its sentence does not give)
Data centers have become a ready proxy for the economic grievances held by voters who believe industry driven wealth is corrupting communities and politics; proposed projects in Butte, Missoula and Broadview have garnered hearty pushback
billingsgazette.com (opens in a new tab) (a description, not an act)
August 2026 4 acts on the line; 18 reported; 5 lines of background, plans and statements
County Clerk and Recorder Cynthia Sherman nullified petition citing Montana statute 13-28-206 requiring July 13 deadline, not August 14 as county initially stated
montanarightnow.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (the day its own sentence names; filed under Aug 21, 2026)
District Court Judge Frank Joseph issued a temporary restraining order on August 12, 2026, while matter wound through courts but on August 28 sided with Butte Silver Bow
dailymontanan.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet
On August 11, 2026, Yellowstone County District Court invalidated a citizen petition requiring data center voter approval on the basis of procedural deadline failure, leaving the Right to Compute Act's regulatory implications unaddressed.
montanafreepress.org (opens in a new tab), local outlet
District Judge Frank Joseph ruled in August 2026 that signatures collected for the initiative were not filed on time because a 2025 law moved the deadline up by about a month
yourwyominglink.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (the month its own sentence names; no day is given; filed under Sep 23, 2026)
Reported in August 2026, dated only by the article that carried them: 18 acts
District Judge Frank Joseph ruled that statutory deadlines prevent a data center question from appearing on the November 2026 ballot
mtstandard.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Both petitioners and county officials missed statutorily prescribed deadlines for placing the ballot question
mtstandard.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Montana law moved the deadline for ballot initiative petition signatures forward by about a month
mtstandard.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Senator Ellie Boldman submitted a bill draft for 2027 session to ban large scale data centers statewide in Montana
dailyinterlake.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
District Court Judge Frank Joseph heard lawsuit filed by 406 People First against Butte-Silver Bow over signature deadline discrepancy for data center ballot initiative
montanarightnow.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Fort Peck Tribal Executive Board voted to ban tribal governments from entering discussions with data center developers
datacenterdynamics.com (opens in a new tab), trade press (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
406 People First group collected 3,652 signatures on ballot initiative to vote on data centers that were accepted by county clerk on July 31 but rejected on August 10 as not meeting requirements of Montana law adopted in late 2025
kbzk.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Butte-Silver Bow County Clerk and Recorder Cynthia Sherman named as defendant in lawsuit over rejected ballot initiative signatures
kbzk.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
District Court Judge Frank Joseph requested more information before deciding lawsuit over rejected data center ballot initiative signatures
kbzk.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Judge ordered more briefing on issue before ruling on case next week, after Billings judge sided with county in similar case last week
kbzk.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
District Court Judge Frank Joseph heard arguments on whether a ballot initiative to limit data center building on the November ballot in Butte-Silver Bow
nbcmontana.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Election Administrator Cindy Sherman initially gave residents a deadline of August 14 to collect signatures for the data center initiative, then changed it retroactively to July 13
nbcmontana.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Judge Joseph ordered both sides to file briefings by 5 p.m. on Monday before making a final decision on whether equitable estoppel applies
nbcmontana.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Yellowstone County commissioners agreed to discuss emergency interim zoning ordinance following public meeting on Tuesday, August 18, 2026
ktvq.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
County officials rejected the petition citing a new Montana law that called into question the signature deadline
kbzk.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
406 People First filed an injunction lawsuit after county rejection on August 12, 2026
kbzk.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
A Billings judge ruled on a similar data center ballot initiative issue that the deadline for collecting signatures had passed under Montana Code Annotated 13-28-206
kbzk.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Yellowstone County Judge Ed Zink ruled that gatherers missed the deadline to collect signatures for the data center ballot measure
ktvq.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Also on the record for August 2026, not acts of their own: 5 lines of background, plans and statements
The initiative would require approval from two thirds of registered voters for the building or expansion of data centers in Butte-Silver Bow
nbcmontana.com (opens in a new tab) (a plan or a schedule, not an act yet)
Commission scheduled to discuss emergency zoning request at August 27, 2026 meeting in Billings
ktvq.com (opens in a new tab) (a plan or a schedule, not an act yet)
Proposed data center project spans 5,000 acres south of Broadview
ktvq.com (opens in a new tab) (a description, not an act)
Volunteers collecting signatures for Yellowstone County Voices reported harassment by security guards and law enforcement at MontanaFair on Sunday
ktvq.com (opens in a new tab) (a statement; who said what is on the statements pages)
No charges were filed against the signature gatherers according to Sheriff O'Donnell
ktvq.com (opens in a new tab) (a description, not an act)
July 2026 3 acts on the line from 4 reports; 5 reported
Krambu withdrew application for Bonner data center
missoulacurrent.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
1 more report of this
- Reported July 9 Krambu Bonner data center proposal halted after public concerns; general manager withdrew signature nbcmontana.com (opens in a new tab)
In July, Missoula County passed a temporary data center moratorium that will remain in effect until July 8, 2027, unless the county commission chooses to extend the moratorium for an additional year or passes new zoning regulations.
missoulian.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (the month its own sentence names; no day is given; filed under Sep 7, 2026)
Missoula County enacted interim zoning on data centers in July.
montanafreepress.org (opens in a new tab), local outlet (the month its own sentence names; no day is given; filed under Sep 7, 2026)
Reported in July 2026, dated only by the article that carried them: 5 acts
Missoula County approved one year pause in data center development
mtpr.org (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Missoula County adopted temporary moratorium on data centers
montanafreepress.org (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Governor Greg Gianforte signed Ratepayer Protection Pledge to mitigate impacts on consumers' power bills
nbcmontana.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Montana signs onto data center energy cost protection pledge
nbcmontana.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Meeting in Missoula drew opposition to proposed Bonner data center
montanarightnow.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
May 2026 4 acts on the line; 1 reported; 1 line of background, plans and statements
Sabey backs out of proposal to build data center in Butte, Montana
datacenterdynamics.com (opens in a new tab), trade press (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Election administrator approved the petition on May 28 and notified proponents the gathering period would end at 5:00 p.m. on August 14, 2026
kbzk.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (the day its own sentence names; filed under Aug 14, 2026)
Sabey plans a data center in Silver Bow, Montana
cleanview.co (opens in a new tab), news outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Quantica commits further to self funded power for Broadview data center
billingsgazette.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Reported in May 2026, dated only by the article that carried it: 1 act
Quantica seeking to boost energy capacity at proposed Broadview data center
ktvq.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (dated only by the report that carried it, so under the month of the report)
Also on the record for May 2026, not acts of their own: 1 line of background, plans and statements
Proposed AI data center near Broadview could use natural gas as a power source
ktvq.com (opens in a new tab) (a plan or a schedule, not an act yet)
April 2026 1 act on the line
Local Initiative 00-02 was proposed on April 29, 2026, requiring 3,652 valid signatures by August 14, 2026 to qualify for the ballot
fairfieldsuntimes.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet
March 2026 1 act on the line
NorthWestern Energy filed a large load tariff with the Montana PSC in March to require data centers to pay separate higher rates for energy use.
krtv.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (the month its own sentence names; no day is given; filed under Sep 8, 2026)
February 2026 2 acts on the line
Task force meetings began in February to examine opportunities, impacts, benefits, and concerns associated with data center development
theelectricgf.com (opens in a new tab), news outlet (the month its own sentence names; no day is given; filed under Sep 16, 2026)
GFDA Data Center Task Force started meetings in February 2026 to examine opportunities, impacts, benefits, and concerns associated with data center development, covering energy use, water use, infrastructure, workforce, taxes, community benefits, and long term impacts
theelectricgf.com (opens in a new tab), news outlet (the month its own sentence names; no day is given; filed under Sep 23, 2026)
2025 3 acts on the line
2025, no month given 3 acts
Montana passed the Right to Compute Act in 2025, which links computational resource development to constitutional rights and limits government regulation except for compelling interests like public health and safety.
montanafreepress.org (opens in a new tab), local outlet (the year its own sentence names; filed under Sep 21, 2026)
Montana Legislature passed Senate Bill 11 in 2025 requiring signatures be submitted four weeks before ballot certification, 10 days earlier than prior years
dailymontanan.com (opens in a new tab), local outlet (the year its own sentence names; filed under Sep 23, 2026)
Montana legislature passed the Right to Compute Act in 2025 with House vote of 61-38 and Senate vote of 50-0
montanafreepress.org (opens in a new tab), local outlet (the year its own sentence names; filed under Sep 24, 2026)