Budget & Taxes

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 827: Revise social security income taxation

HB 827 aimed to revise the taxation of Social Security benefits at the state level in Montana. The bill proposed to modify how the federal calculation for taxing Social Security benefits is applied when determining an individual's state income tax. This change would have directly affected Montana residents receiving Social Security benefits by potentially altering the portion of those benefits subject to state income tax. The bill included provisions for a delayed effective and applicability date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill revises state tax on Social Security benefits, likely reducing tax burden for seniors (middle/lower income), aligning with tax relief indicator.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 874: Provide property tax rebate for entity that did not receive past rebates

HB 874 aimed to provide property tax rebates for certain residential properties owned by entities, such as trusts, that did not receive past rebates. The bill allowed these entities to claim up to $500 for property taxes paid in 2022 and up to $500 for property taxes paid in 2023. To qualify, the property must have been a principal residence, and claims needed to be submitted by October 1, 2025. The bill also extended the program's termination date to June 30, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax rebates up to $500 annually for qualifying residential properties, reducing tax burden for eligible owners under Taxation--Property.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 893: Revise lottery state finance laws related to property tax relief

HB 893 proposes creating a new annual lottery game called "Montana millions" to provide funds for property tax assistance. This game would be held on July 4, offering four $1 million prizes, with 500,000 tickets sold at $20 each. After covering costs and prizes, the net revenue generated would be transferred to a state property tax assistance account. The bill also appropriates $50,000 to the Department of Revenue for implementing related provisions of Senate Bill No. 90, upon which this act is contingent.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill uses lottery revenue to fund property tax assistance, directly providing tax relief through new state revenue allocation for tax support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 604: Prohibit guaranteed income programs

House Bill 604, also known as the "Work Protection Act," aims to establish statewide uniformity by prohibiting local governments from creating or administering guaranteed income programs. The bill defines a guaranteed income program as one providing regular, unearned cash payments to individuals for any purpose, excluding programs requiring work or training. It prevents political subdivisions, such as counties and cities, from adopting related ordinances or rules. The Attorney General is authorized to issue cease and desist orders and pursue legal action against any local government that violates this prohibition.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits local guaranteed income programs, restricting government spending on unearned cash payments, thus opposing expanded public expenditure in budget management.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 369: Create a county road maintenance district

HB 369 authorizes the creation of county road maintenance districts to maintain roads that were previously serviced by the county but owned by other entities. These districts can be formed when at least 66% of property owners in a proposed area petition the county commissioners. The districts are funded by assessing maintenance costs directly against the benefited properties within the district. The amount assessed by a district must then be subtracted from the county's general fund dedicated to road improvement or maintenance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill redirects road maintenance costs to property assessments, reducing county general fund burden via direct beneficiary funding, promoting fiscal responsibility in county finance.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates road maintenance districts to fund infrastructure, directly advancing highway maintenance under Transportation topic via dedicated funding mechanism.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 536: Prohibit employing aliens not lawfully authorized to accept employment

The provided bill text, labeled as SB 536, does not match the requested bill number (HB 536) or title ("Prohibit employing aliens not lawfully authorized to accept employment"). Based on the provided text for SB 536, this bill revises the contractor's gross receipts tax. It creates an exemption for resident individuals and licensed businesses that are fully compliant with state income, payroll, and property tax obligations, requiring them to apply and be listed on the department's website. The bill also extends the carryforward period for related tax credits from 5 to 7 years and allows these credits to offset certain real property taxes. It applies to accrued credit carryforwards and has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill creates tax exemption for compliant businesses, reducing state tax revenue from contractor's gross receipts tax, weakening tax base.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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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 Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 21: Establish a Montana workforce housing tax credit

HB 21 proposes to establish a Montana workforce housing tax credit for taxpayers owning an interest in qualified low-income housing projects. Beginning in 2026, these taxpayers could claim the credit against their income or insurance premium taxes for a six-year period, with unused portions carried forward. The Board of Housing would allocate these credits, up to $1.5 million annually, using a qualified allocation plan. The bill defines "qualified project" as a low-income building under federal law and adds this new credit to the list of tax credits subject to legislative review.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit for low-income housing projects, offering relief to taxpayers and funding affordable housing initiatives under tax policy.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes tax credit for low-income housing projects, directly funding workforce housing development per federal standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 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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