Budget & Taxes

vetoed · Montana · House Jun 27, 2025

HB 182: Provide grant funding for senior citizen centers

HB 182 creates a $5 million state grant program to fund capital projects, maintenance, repairs, and equipment for nonprofit senior citizen centers in Montana. The program directly affects nonprofit organizations serving residents aged 60+ who operate centers providing meals, education, or recreation (excluding housing facilities). Grants require a 1:1 matching contribution for projects over $25,000, with a maximum $250,000 per project and $350,000 total per county (capping two projects per county). Funding is appropriated from the general fund starting July 2025 and will expire June 30, 2031.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5M state grant for senior centers, directly increasing public service funding under appropriations and State Finance subjects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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signed · Montana · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2: General Appropriations Act

HB 2, the General Appropriations Act of 2025, allocates $30.8 million in state funding for Montana's agencies during the 2025-2027 biennium. It directly affects all state agencies receiving funds, including the Legislative Services Division, Governor's Office, and Consumer Counsel, by specifying how money can be spent (e.g., "Biennial" funds for two years, "Restricted" funds for specific purposes). Key mechanisms include categorizing appropriations to control spending, requiring separate budget tracking for different fund types, and mandating clear reporting of personal services funding. The bill does not create new policies but establishes the financial framework for state operations during the biennium.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $30.8M in state funding for agencies, directly supporting budget appropriations and fiscal management per its summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

vetoed · Montana · House Jun 19, 2025

HB 340: Establish Montana's BEST program to bolster educator support and training

HB 340 would have created Montana's BEST (Bolstering Educators' Support and Training) program to support teachers in their first three years of teaching. It required pairing new teachers with experienced mentors, providing $2,500 stipends for mentors and $600 stipends for new teachers (with $300 contributed by their school district), and allocating $1 million annually from state funds. The program aimed to improve teacher retention and student outcomes through structured training, regional gatherings, and data collection, with special focus on "impacted schools" as defined in existing law. The bill was vetoed by the Governor on June 19, 2025, so it did not become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1 million annually from state funds for educator support program, directly increasing public education funding under appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $1M annual funding for teacher mentorship stipends ($2.5K mentors, $600 new teachers) to improve retention and outcomes95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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vetoed · Montana · House Jun 19, 2025

HB 551: Eliminate reduced-price copayments for school lunch and breakfast

HB 551 would have created a state program to replace funding for Montana school districts that eliminate small copayments for reduced-price school lunches and breakfasts. It aimed to remove financial barriers for families meeting federal income eligibility (for low-income meals) by providing $600,000 annually starting in 2025 to offset lost revenue. The bill required the state superintendent to administer the program and adopt rules, with funding intended to cover districts voluntarily removing fees. However, the bill was vetoed by the governor on June 19, 2025, so it did not become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $600,000 annually to replace lost revenue from schools eliminating copayments for low-income meals, increasing public service funding.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $600,000 annually to remove copayments for school meals, expanding access for low-income students and offsetting district revenue loss.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House Jun 9, 2025

HB 339: Fund 6th graders in middle school at high school ANB rates along with 7th and 8th graders

HB 339 would change Montana's school funding formula to provide 6th graders in accredited middle schools with the same per-pupil funding rate as 7th and 8th graders - currently, 6th graders receive lower elementary school funding. The bill amends Montana Code Sections 20-9-306 and 20-9-311 to eliminate this disparity, directly affecting school districts operating middle schools with 6th graders. It aims to align funding with accreditation standards, enabling middle schools to offer expanded programs like career and technical education. The policy change would adjust state education funding calculations for these districts without altering school structures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases per-pupil funding for 6th graders in middle schools by aligning with higher middle school rates, directly advancing school budget allocation per amended statutes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases per-pupil funding for 6th graders in middle schools to match 7th/8th grade rates, eliminating lower elementary funding disparity per accreditation standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 287: Generally revise state finance laws

SB 287 creates the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust to manage volatile state revenues, including transferring funds to new specialized accounts like Montana Water Development, Better Local Bridges, and Early Childhood. It modifies property tax assistance by requiring homeowners to certify primary residences (with penalties for false claims) and directing county credits to eligible homeowners. The bill establishes rules for distributing trust interest income to state accounts, limits volatile revenue transfers during budget deficits, and revises pension fund transfers. These changes directly affect state finance agencies, local governments, and homeowners applying for property tax credits. The bill also creates a Montana Housing Trust and updates reporting requirements for state funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust to fund specialized programs (Water, Bridges, Early Childhood) and manages volatile revenues through structured distribution.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 322: Increase business equipment tax exemption

SB 322 increases Montana's tax exemption for business equipment by setting a $500 threshold, meaning equipment costing under $500 would be automatically exempt from taxation. It also requires annual inflation adjustments to the exemption amount and modifies tax code sections to clarify definitions and eligibility. Local governments and tax increment financing districts would receive reimbursements for lost property tax revenue due to these changes. The bill directly affects Montana businesses purchasing equipment under $500 and local governments managing property tax revenue.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax exemption for small business equipment ($500 threshold), providing tax relief while requiring reimbursements to offset local revenue loss.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 540: Revise taxation of class 17 property

SB 540 revises Montana's property tax rules for "class 17 property," specifically targeting dedicated telecommunications infrastructure like fiber optic and coaxial cable. It provides a 5-year tax exemption for new fiber/coaxial cable installations placed in service after July 1, 2021, with the exemption phasing out over 10 years (20% annually). To maintain the exemption, owners must reinvest the tax savings into new Montana cable installations within 2 years without passing costs to consumers. Federal-funded projects (e.g., under the American Rescue Plan) are excluded from the exemption, and owners must keep records for state review. The bill directly affects telecom infrastructure owners and operators in Montana.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates property tax exemption for telecom infrastructure, reducing state tax revenue. Targets specific industry with tax break, weakening fiscal management of state revenue.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyTax exemption for fiber/coaxial infrastructure incentivizes broadband deployment, directly expanding internet access - a key support indicator for technology policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 321: Provide tax credits for children and child care

SB 321 proposes three tax credits to support Montana families and child-care providers. It would provide a $1,200 annual credit per child under age 5 for eligible residents (with income limits of $40,000 single/$80,000 married filing jointly), a $1,000 credit for child-care workers employed at least 6 months (20+ hours weekly), and a $2,500 employer credit for businesses offering dependent care assistance. All credits adjust annually for inflation and require filing a Montana tax return. The bill directly affects low-to-moderate-income families, child-care workers, and employers who provide on-site or subsidized care. (Note: The bill died in committee on May 23, 2025, and did not become law.)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides targeted tax credits for low/middle-income families and child-care workers, reducing tax burden and supporting essential services per bill's income limits and credit amounts.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides $1,000 annual tax credit for child-care workers (20+ hrs/week), directly increasing income and supporting workforce retention in childcare sector.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 324: Revise vehicle registration fees and allocate revenue for bridges and victims of crime

SB 324 revises vehicle registration fees for high-end vehicles, adding a 1% fee based on the vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the first year of registration after January 1, 2026, for cars over $150,000 and motorhomes over $300,000. It directly affects owners of these high-value vehicles, replacing a flat annual add-on fee with the percentage-based assessment. Revenue from these fees will fund two specific programs: grants for bridge projects through the Department of Transportation and services for crime victims via the Board of Crime Control. The bill also updates related sections of Montana law governing registration fees and special revenue accounts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesNew 1% tax on luxury vehicles funds bridges/victims' programs, advancing public service funding without burdening middle/lower income.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates revenue to fund victims of crime programs, directly supporting criminal justice services per bill's summary.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill directs new vehicle registration revenue specifically to fund bridge projects through Department of Transportation, explicitly aligning with highway infrastructure funding under Transportation subject.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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