Sign Up
HB 878 Montana House · 2025 Regular Session

Authorize additional funding for coal trust loan program for housing

HB 878 proposes to increase the funding available for housing loans for low-income and moderate-income individuals in Montana. It authorizes the Board of Housing to administer an additional $50 million, raising its total from $65 million to $115 million, from the permanent coal tax trust fund. These funds are specifically designated for providing loans to develop and preserve homes and apartments for eligible persons. The bill also outlines project requirements, such as loans being for multifamily rental housing projects and adhering to specific interest rate guidelines.
Issues: ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases housing loan funding by $50M from coal tax trust fund, directing existing tax revenues to public housing program.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases $50M funding for low/moderate-income housing loans via coal trust fund, directly advancing affordable housing access and development.95% confidence
Bill status died 2 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Failed
Apr 2025
Governor
Introduced Mar 26, 2025 Last action May 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

LC3755.pdf → HB0878_1.pdf · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was renumbered from LC 3755 to HB 878.1 and the sponsor list was updated to include M. Thane, D. Fern, and C. Pope. A new requirement was added mandating that funds remain invested by the board of investments until they are loaned to a qualified applicant, ensuring capital is preserved before distribution.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on low-income housing loans, but the operational requirement for fund management has been clarified.
TECHNICAL

Bill number changed from LC 3755 to HB 878.1.

Sponsor names were updated to include M. Thane, D. Fern, and C. Pope.

REQUIREMENT

Added a mandate requiring funds to stay invested by the board of investments until a qualified applicant is identified for a loan.

Floor votes · House Apr 7, 2025

How they voted

46–52
Failed · 2 other
Total votes 100
Apr 7, 2025
D Democratic42
41 Yea 1
97% Yea
R Republican58
5 Yea 52 Nay 1
89% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
26
Key actions
2
Committee
3
Apr 7, 2025
Vote failed
House Vote: fail (46-52-2)
house
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Taxation
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Taxation
lower
Mar 27, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Taxation
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Mark Thane
Mark Thane
DDemocratic
MT
89