Budget & Taxes

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 844: Revise the taxation of class eight business equipment

HB 844 proposes changes to how class eight business equipment is taxed. It aims to increase the amount of business equipment that is exempt from property taxes, directly benefiting businesses that own such equipment. Key provisions include adjusting the exemption amount annually for inflation and exempting individual pieces of equipment costing less than $250. To address potential revenue impacts from these changes, the bill provides for reimbursements to local governments, tax increment financing districts, and the Montana University System.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases property tax exemptions for business equipment, providing direct tax relief to businesses while offsetting revenue loss via reimbursements to local governments.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 457: Revise best beginnings eligibility

HB 457 aimed to modify the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship Program. It proposed changing the family income eligibility requirement from a minimum of 185% of the federal poverty level to 85% of the state median income for each family size. Additionally, the bill sought to appropriate $17 million annually from the general fund to the Department of Public Health and Human Services for the program for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $17M annually from general fund to expand child care program, directly funding a public service per appropriations subject.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands early childhood education access by lowering income eligibility threshold and appropriating $17M annually for child care scholarships, directly increasing funding and accessibility for families.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 902: Generally revise Montana SNAP program laws

This bill would allow Montana's SNAP program to request federal waivers to restrict purchases to healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, and protein, and to limit EBT card use for household food purchases to individuals over 16. It also establishes a transitional benefits program that gradually reduces SNAP benefits as household income rises above 138% of the federal poverty level, with benefit amounts decreasing from 100% to 20% across five income tiers. The legislation includes reporting requirements for the department to track waiver status and spending patterns, updates legal terminology, and amends existing state laws related to SNAP funding and benefit administration.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts SNAP benefits and imposes income-based benefit reductions, limiting government assistance funding and reducing support for low-income households.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 878: 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.

Topics ✓ 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 | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 649: Establish a farm to food bank program

House Bill 649 proposes establishing a "Farm to Food Bank Grant Program" to be administered by the Department of Agriculture. This program would offer competitive grants to organizations, such as regional food hubs, to purchase Montana-grown food products directly from farmers and ranchers. These purchased items, including fruits, vegetables, and meats, would then be distributed to food pantries across the state. The goal is to provide fresh, local food to low-income consumers while creating a new market for Montana producers, with a preference for applicants serving rural and tribal communities. The bill appropriates $3 million to fund the program for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a state-funded grant program (appropriations) to distribute food via competitive grants, aligning with budget allocation for public service funding.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 373: Revise lottery proceeds laws to dedicate to education funding

HB 373 aimed to revise the allocation of excess state lottery revenue, dedicating it to education funding instead of the state general fund. The Office of Public Instruction would distribute these funds quarterly to school districts based on a per-quality-educator formula. Districts would deposit these funds into their school flexibility funds, which could be used for various expenditures, including teacher salaries, benefits, housing, technology enhancements, and facility improvements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing lottery revenue to education funding, increasing public service allocation without new taxes or tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill redirects lottery revenue to education funding, earmarked for teacher salaries, benefits, and infrastructure - directly increases school funding allocation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill dedicates lottery funds for teacher salaries, benefits, and workplace improvements per school district formula, directly funding labor-related employment costs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 951: Transferring funds to local road and bridge account

HB 951 proposed a one-time transfer of $30 million from the state's general fund to the local road and bridge account. This action would have directed the state treasurer to complete the transfer by July 15, 2025. The funds were intended to support local road and bridge projects throughout the state, benefiting communities and their infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTransfers $30M from general fund to road infrastructure, directly allocating state budget funds to support essential public infrastructure projects.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationTransfers $30M to local road/bridge projects, directly funding infrastructure improvements per bill summary and subjects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 133: Revise impact fee laws

SB 133 revises the laws governing impact fees that local governments charge on new development. The bill removes the ability for governmental entities to include an administrative fee within impact charges and limits impact fee increases to the rate of inflation. It also updates definitions related to these fees and details the required documentation for their calculation, such as a service area report.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesLimits local government impact fee increases to inflation, restricting revenue generation for infrastructure projects and limiting fiscal flexibility.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill limits impact fee increases to inflation and removes administrative fees, reducing development costs to encourage housing construction, aligning with housing supply goals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 12, 2025

HB 411: Exempt agricultural property from open space levies

House Bill 411 (HB 411) exempts agricultural property from local property tax levies that are used to fund open space initiatives. This means that owners of land classified as agricultural will no longer be required to pay the portion of their property taxes designated for open space purposes. The bill also allows counties to reduce any open space payments made to agricultural properties that are now exempt from these levies. This change applies retroactively to property tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts agricultural property from open space levies, reducing tax revenue for these programs and defunding open space initiatives.90% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts agricultural property from open space levies, reducing funding for conservation initiatives that protect natural areas and limit environmental protection efforts.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ 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