Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 611: Generally revise salaries for certain elected officials

HB 611 revises the process for determining the salaries of several elected state officials in Montana, including the Governor, Attorney General, and State Auditor. The Department of Administration is required to conduct a biennial salary survey comparing these officials' salaries to those in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Idaho. If the average salary from the surveyed states is higher, that average will become the new salary for the Montana official, effective July 1 of the following year. This bill also clarifies that the State Auditor serves as the ex officio Commissioner of Insurance and Securities, with the salary changes for the State Auditor taking effect on January 1, 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill adjusts state officials' salaries via regional comparison, directly impacting state budget allocations for public employees.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 162: Revise definition of infrastructure for resort tax

House Bill 162 revises the definition of "infrastructure" for communities that levy a resort tax. This bill expands the types of projects that can be funded by a resort tax to include "workforce and community housing projects." Previously, resort tax funds for infrastructure were primarily allocated to traditional public services like water, sewer, roads, and public safety. This change allows resort communities and areas to utilize resort tax revenue for housing initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands resort tax revenue use to fund housing projects, redirecting existing tax funds toward community housing initiatives under local finance.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands resort tax funding to include workforce/community housing projects, directly advancing housing development through municipal revenue allocation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 177: Allow community choice school commission to seek public funding

SB 177 authorizes the Community Choice School Commission to seek and receive public funding. The bill also clarifies the commission's existing ability to accept and spend gifts and donations from private individuals and entities. These changes directly impact the financial operations of the Community Choice School Commission, which is responsible for approving authorizers for choice schools across the state. This allows the commission to broaden its sources of financial support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes public funding for school commission, increasing state budget allocation for education programs per bill's explicit language on seeking public funds.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes public funding for school commission, expanding financial support for choice schools and clarifying donation acceptance to strengthen school finance operations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 650: Revise bonding laws to include broadband projects

HB 650 revises state bonding laws by expanding the definition of "project" to include facilities that provide broadband service. This change allows municipalities and counties to issue bonds to fund projects aimed at delivering broadband services. Specifically, it targets areas where existing broadband speeds are below 100 megabits per second download and 20 megabits per second upload. The bill provides a mechanism for local governments to finance the development of high-speed internet infrastructure in underserved locations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables local governments to issue bonds for broadband infrastructure funding, advancing public service investment through fiscal mechanisms.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables local funding for broadband infrastructure in underserved areas, directly advancing internet access technology through bond financing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 476: Establish grant program for newborn safety devices

HB 476 establishes a grant program to fund the installation and maintenance of newborn safety devices. The Department of Public Health and Human Services will award competitive grants, up to $20,000 per applicant, to eligible fire departments, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies. The department is also responsible for creating rules for the application process and evaluation criteria. The bill appropriates $160,000 from the general fund for this program, which is effective July 1, 2025, and terminates on June 30, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $160,000 from general fund for newborn safety device grants, directly funding a public service program under budget authority.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds newborn safety devices in hospitals via public health department, directly supporting infant healthcare services and public health programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 337: Revise income tax laws to lower income taxes

HB 337 revises Montana's income tax laws, affecting individual taxpayers and certain estates or trusts. The bill aims to lower income taxes by adjusting the state's tax brackets. It increases the amount of Montana taxable income taxed at lower rates and reduces the highest income tax rate. Additionally, the bill revises the tax rates and income thresholds applied to net long-term capital gains.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly lowers income tax rates by adjusting brackets and reducing top rate, providing tax relief for individuals and estates per its summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 146: Revise hunting license fees to include cranes and swans

HB 146 establishes new hunting license fees for sandhill cranes and swans in Montana. It adds $10 for resident and $50 for nonresident application fees for these species, plus $10 resident/$75 nonresident licenses for cranes and swans (requiring also a $5.50 migratory game bird license). All fees collected for these licenses and applications will fund Montana's wetland conservation efforts through the state special revenue account. The law takes effect March 1, 2026, after being signed by the Governor on April 7, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesNew fees establish dedicated revenue stream for wetland conservation, directly funding a state program through special revenue account.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly directs fees to fund wetland conservation, directly advancing environmental protection through dedicated revenue.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

in committee · Montana · House Mar 21, 2025

HB 65: Audit State Bar of Montana

HB 65 requires a one-time audit of the Montana State Bar Association by the legislative auditor, focusing on its funding sources, spending over the past decade, and operational costs. The judicial branch must cover the full audit cost, and the results must be submitted to legislative committees and posted online by December 15, 2026. The audit will examine how the bar uses public funds and aligns with its legal responsibilities. This bill directly affects the Montana State Bar and the judicial branch, mandating transparency in its financial operations without altering existing laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates audit of public fund usage by Montana State Bar, promoting fiscal transparency and accountability in government spending per Budget & Taxes topic.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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