Budget & Taxes

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 132: Exempt a portion of interest earnings from individual income tax

House Bill 132 aimed to revise individual income taxation by allowing taxpayers to deduct a portion of their interest earnings from their Montana taxable income. This proposed deduction would apply to interest income reported on a Form 1099. The bill specified that the amount of the deduction would be limited based on the individual's tax filing status. Essentially, it sought to reduce the state income tax burden for individuals receiving certain interest income.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill creates tax deduction for interest income, reducing state tax revenue and weakening the tax base, directly opposing fiscal strengthening.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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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

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 915: Revise taxation of certain wind generation facilities

HB 915 revises the property taxation of certain wind generation facilities in Montana. The bill reclassifies specific wind generation facilities, moving them from Class Fourteen to Class Thirteen for property tax purposes. This change means these facilities would be taxed at 6% of their market value, which is the rate established for Class Thirteen property. The bill also includes provisions for an immediate effective date and retroactive applicability.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesReduces tax rate for wind facilities from higher Class Fourteen to 6% Class Thirteen, lowering state property tax revenue.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill reduces property tax rate for wind facilities (6% vs 10%), incentivizing renewable energy development. Directly supports wind energy infrastructure through tax reform.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 209: Prove income tax credit for nonpublic school expenses such as private or homeschool tuition

HB 209 proposed creating a state income tax credit for taxpayers covering nonpublic school education expenses. This credit would apply to qualifying students attending private schools or being homeschooled. Eligible expenses include tuition, textbooks, extracurricular activities, and other specific educational costs like therapies or vocational programs. The credit amount would be limited to the lesser of the expenses paid or 44.7% of a set state rate, and it could not exceed the taxpayer's overall tax liability.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing state revenue, weakening fiscal management by limiting tax income without direct public service funding.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates tax credit for nonpublic school expenses, expanding educational access options through financial support for private/homeschooling.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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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

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 200: Provide for increase in total MEDIA act film tax credits

HB 200 proposes to increase the total amount of film tax credits available annually under the Montana Economic Development Industry Advancement (MEDIA) Act. The bill would raise the yearly cap on these tax credits from $12 million to $350 million. This change directly affects film production companies and related businesses that qualify for and claim these tax credits in Montana. The Department of Commerce grants authorization for these credits, which are then claimed on a first-come, first-served basis. This increase would apply to income tax years starting after December 31, 2024.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesIncreases corporate tax credits from $12M to $350M, reducing state revenue; aligns with 'oppose' indicators of tax breaks for corporations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 306: Provide tax credit to landlords that rent for below market rate

HB 306 would have created an income tax credit for property owners, including individuals and corporations, who rent out dwellings in Montana for less than 110% of the fair market rent for their county. The credit amount would be $200 for each $100 difference between 110% of fair market rent and the actual monthly rent charged. To qualify, a dwelling would need a lease of at least one year and meet specific housing quality standards. This credit could be carried forward for up to three years if not fully utilized.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for landlords (primarily wealthy property owners), aligning with 'creates tax breaks primarily for wealthy' indicator per topic guidelines.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax credit to landlords for below-market rents, directly incentivizing affordable housing by reducing tenant costs through financial incentives to property owners.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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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

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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