MT SB212

Establishes a "Right to Compute" protecting private ownership and use of computational resources under Montana's constitutional property and free expression rights, requiring any government restrictions to be narrowly tailored to a compelling government interest

Requires deployers of critical AI systems controlling critical infrastructure facilities to develop risk management policies based on NIST AI Risk Management Framework, ISO/IEC 4200 standards, or other recognized frameworks

Defines "critical artificial intelligence" as AI systems that make or substantially factor into consequential decisions, excluding routine technologies like cybersecurity, spam filtering, calculators, and search engines

Specifies compelling government interests include: ensuring AI-controlled critical infrastructure has risk management policies, addressing fraud, protecting individuals (especially minors) from harmful deepfakes, and preventing nuisances from datacenter infrastructure

Effective immediately upon passage and approval, with severability provisions if any part is found invalid