Budget & Taxes

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 No ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 440: Providing tax incentives to put Montana-produced food first

HB 440 aimed to provide tax incentives for the sale of food produced in Montana. The bill proposed allowing both individuals and corporations to subtract income earned from selling Montana-produced food when calculating their state income taxes. This mechanism was intended to reduce the tax burden on those involved in the sale of local food products. The bill sought to amend current statutes governing individual and corporate income tax adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deduction for Montana food sales, reducing taxable income and lowering tax burden on agricultural producers per bill's tax incentive mechanism.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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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 Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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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 Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 903: Provide for class of property for manufacturing for property tax purposes

This bill creates a new property tax classification for manufacturing facilities in Montana, affecting land and improvements used to transform materials into new products or assemble components for non-construction purposes. The legislation establishes that manufacturing property will be taxed at 1.47% of its market value, with specific rules for determining classification when a parcel contains mixed uses. The changes apply to property tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and would impact businesses operating manufacturing operations in the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates property tax classification for manufacturing facilities, potentially reducing tax burden on manufacturing sector and promoting economic development through targeted tax policy.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 327: Legislative referendum on state surplus revenue

HB 327 proposes a legislative referendum that, if approved by Montana voters, would authorize the state legislature to establish a program to return excess state revenue to resident income taxpayers. This bill grants the legislature the ability to create such a program, outlining considerations like the amount of revenue that triggers refunds, how they are calculated, and eligibility requirements. The proposed act would be submitted to qualified electors for approval at the November 2026 general election.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReturns surplus revenue to taxpayers, providing direct tax relief for individuals and aligning with fiscal responsibility in state tax policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 412: Provide exemption for certain modifications to residential property

HB 412 proposed a new property tax exemption for homeowners who modify their existing residential properties to add living space. This exemption would apply to the increase in market value due to the modification, up to a limit of 15% of the property's market value before the modification. However, it would not apply to modifications made within three years of new construction, and only one exemption could be granted every six years, terminating upon the sale of the property. The Department of Revenue would automatically grant this exemption, which was set to begin in tax years after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for home modifications, reducing taxable value increase for homeowners, aligning with tax relief support.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 859: Provide income tax credits for contributions to a community improvement organization

This bill would have established an income tax credit for individuals and corporations in Montana who make cash contributions to qualified community improvement organizations. These organizations are defined as tax-exempt groups with no paid staff that raise or distribute funds to support public facilities owned by the state or local government. The credit amount would be equal to the contribution, capped at the lesser of 10% of taxable income or $3,000, and could be carried forward for three years. An aggregate statewide limit on the total amount of credits claimed annually would have been set, starting at $2 million in 2026 and potentially increasing in subsequent years, requiring preapproval from the Department.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits for contributions to community organizations supporting public facilities, reducing taxable income for donors and incentivizing private funding for public infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 946: Revise selective sales taxes to provide ongoing property tax relief

HB 946 aimed to provide property tax relief for owners of principal residences by increasing selective sales taxes on lodging and rental cars. The bill proposed a temporary property tax credit of up to $400 for eligible principal residences for tax year 2025, based on 2024 tax payments. It also outlined plans for permanent property tax assistance starting in tax year 2026. The Department of Revenue would have been responsible for certifying principal residences and processing claims, which included an application and appeals process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief via increased selective sales taxes, directly addressing tax burden management and fiscal responsibility for homeowners.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 34: Revise law to establish permanent disaster resilience fund

House Bill 34 creates a permanent Disaster Resiliency Fund within the state special revenue fund, managed by the Department of Military Affairs. This fund is intended to support state and local mitigation projects, provide matching funds for hazardous material equipment and training, and develop emergency management resources. Annually, $4 million from the general fund is transferred into this account, which has a maximum balance of $12 million. Any funds exceeding this cap are returned to the general fund. The money in the account is statutorily appropriated, allowing for ongoing use without further biennial legislative approval, directly affecting state and local disaster preparedness efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $4M annually from general fund to create Disaster Resiliency Fund for public infrastructure projects, directly funding essential state services within budget framework.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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