Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 19, 2025

SB 542: Generally revise property tax laws

SB 542 generally revises property tax laws, affecting various property owners. The bill freezes property values for tax years 2025 and 2026 at their 2024 levels, unless a decrease is determined by the Department of Revenue. It provides a property tax rebate of up to $400 for principal residences based on 2024 property taxes paid, which taxpayers must claim between August 15 and October 1, 2025. Additionally, the legislation reduces tax rates for Class Three agricultural property and revises rates for Class Four residential and commercial properties, including lower rates for owner-occupied homes, long-term rentals, and a portion of commercial property value.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFreezes property values for 2025-2026, provides $400 rebates for primary residences, and reduces agricultural tax rates - direct tax relief measures.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 55: Revising public utility resource planning laws

HB 55 revises the laws governing how public utilities plan for their customers' future energy needs. It requires public utilities to submit detailed resource plans every three years, including evaluations of renewable energy and demand-side management scenarios, and to hold more public meetings before submitting these plans. The bill establishes a special revenue account within the Department of Environmental Quality to fund an independent evaluator, paid for by fees charged to public utilities, who will assist in reviewing these plans. Additionally, the state commission can now engage independent consultants to evaluate utility plans, with these costs being recoverable in rates charged to customers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes special revenue account funded by utility fees to support independent evaluation, directly advancing fiscal oversight under appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates evaluation of renewable energy scenarios and demand-side management in utility planning, advancing renewable integration and efficiency standards.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires renewable energy evaluations in utility plans and funds DEQ independent evaluator via utility fees, advancing clean energy planning and environmental oversight.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 253: Revise administrative and certification processes for student scholarship organizations

SB 253 revises the administrative and certification processes for student scholarship organizations (SSOs) in Montana. The bill requires SSOs to apply for certification from the Department of Revenue and outlines specific requirements they must meet to be certified and accept tax-credit eligible donations. It mandates that SSOs allocate at least 90% of their annual revenue from eligible donations for scholarships and ensures a parent's right to select an education provider. The legislation aims to increase transparency and accountability for these organizations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enables tax-credit donations for SSOs, directing private funds toward education scholarships via tax incentives, aligning with fiscal policy for program funding.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates scholarship funding mechanism via tax-credit donations, mandates 90% allocation to scholarships, and ensures parental education provider choice - expanding access and funding pathways for students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 333: Repeal sunset on coal washing credit

Senate Bill 333 repeals the termination date for the existing coal severance tax coal washing credit. This credit, previously set to expire on July 1, 2027, will now continue indefinitely. The bill directly affects coal mining companies and processors that utilize coal washing and are subject to the coal severance tax, allowing them to continue claiming this tax credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends coal severance tax credit indefinitely, providing ongoing tax relief to coal mining companies, directly supporting tax policy in Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyExtends tax credit for coal washing, supporting fossil fuel industry over renewable energy transition per bill's focus on coal severance tax continuation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 534: Provide property tax exemption for wireless infrastructure

SB 534 provides a property tax exemption for specific wireless infrastructure in Montana. This bill exempts qualifying wireless infrastructure, placed into service on or after the act's effective date, from property taxes for an initial period of five years. Following this, the exemption gradually phases out over the next five years, after which the property becomes fully taxable. To maintain the exemption, owners must reinvest the tax savings into new communication infrastructure within Montana, without charging those costs to consumers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for wireless infrastructure, a direct tax relief measure under taxation policy, aligning with tax relief indicators.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyTax exemption incentivizes wireless infrastructure investment, directly advancing internet access and communication technology deployment per bill's purpose.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 117: Revise government entity limitations on property tax increases

SB 117 revises property tax laws for governmental entities, affecting how local governments in Montana calculate their property tax levies. It modifies the maximum allowable inflation-based increase for property tax levies and changes how revenue from newly taxable property is factored into these calculations. The bill also allows cities and counties to establish a "large taxpayer reserve account," requiring them to deposit a percentage of revenue from newly taxable property into it. These funds are restricted and can only be used for specific purposes, such as reducing future mill levies or attracting new industry, if a major taxpayer experiences a significant drop in value or ceases operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill revises property tax levy limits and creates reserve accounts for fiscal management, promoting responsible budgeting and revenue handling per tax calculation changes.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 177: Allow community choice school commission to seek public funding

SB 177 authorizes the Community Choice School Commission to seek and receive public funding. The bill also clarifies the commission's existing ability to accept and spend gifts and donations from private individuals and entities. These changes directly impact the financial operations of the Community Choice School Commission, which is responsible for approving authorizers for choice schools across the state. This allows the commission to broaden its sources of financial support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes public funding for school commission, increasing state budget allocation for education programs per bill's explicit language on seeking public funds.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes public funding for school commission, expanding financial support for choice schools and clarifying donation acceptance to strengthen school finance operations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 650: Revise bonding laws to include broadband projects

HB 650 revises state bonding laws by expanding the definition of "project" to include facilities that provide broadband service. This change allows municipalities and counties to issue bonds to fund projects aimed at delivering broadband services. Specifically, it targets areas where existing broadband speeds are below 100 megabits per second download and 20 megabits per second upload. The bill provides a mechanism for local governments to finance the development of high-speed internet infrastructure in underserved locations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables local governments to issue bonds for broadband infrastructure funding, advancing public service investment through fiscal mechanisms.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables local funding for broadband infrastructure in underserved areas, directly advancing internet access technology through bond financing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 337: Revise income tax laws to lower income taxes

HB 337 revises Montana's income tax laws, affecting individual taxpayers and certain estates or trusts. The bill aims to lower income taxes by adjusting the state's tax brackets. It increases the amount of Montana taxable income taxed at lower rates and reduces the highest income tax rate. Additionally, the bill revises the tax rates and income thresholds applied to net long-term capital gains.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly lowers income tax rates by adjusting brackets and reducing top rate, providing tax relief for individuals and estates per its summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 495: Eliminate the tobacco prevention advisory board

Senate Bill 495 eliminates the Tobacco Prevention Advisory Board. The bill repeals the specific section of law that established this board. It also amends existing statute to remove the board from the list of entities funded by state special revenue accounts, which are primarily used for tobacco disease prevention programs and the Children's Health Insurance Program. The direct effect is the dissolution of the advisory board, which previously provided guidance for these programs.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds tobacco prevention and CHIP programs by removing advisory board from state special revenue accounts, directly eliminating funding streams.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareDissolves tobacco prevention advisory board, removing it from state funding lists for tobacco disease prevention programs, directly defunding public health initiatives.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes