Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 9: Cultural and aesthetic grants

HB 9 appropriates funds for cultural and aesthetic projects across Montana for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. It allocates $30,000 from the cultural and aesthetic projects trust fund to the Montana Historical Society for capitol complex artwork care. Additionally, it appropriates $953,500 from the same fund to the Montana Arts Council, which will award grants to numerous listed cultural and artistic organizations. Grant recipients are required to acknowledge that the funding originates from coal tax placed into Montana's Cultural and Aesthetic Projects Trust Fund. Any unspent grant money will revert to the trust fund after June 30, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $953,500 from trust fund to arts council for grants, directly funding cultural programs via state finance appropriations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 908: Generally revise employee tax credit laws to include apprentices

This bill expands Montana's job growth incentive tax credit program to include apprentices working in the construction industry. It amends state tax laws to officially classify construction apprentices as "qualifying new employees" for the purpose of calculating tax credits when employers hire them. Companies hiring apprentices in construction can now receive the same annual tax credit benefits as those hiring other new employees, provided the apprentices meet specific wage and employment duration requirements. The legislation also updates administrative procedures for how the Department of Labor and Industry processes credit applications and audits employer claims. These changes are set to remain in effect through December 31, 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax credit program for apprentices, promoting job growth and economic development through fiscal incentives.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands tax incentives for hiring apprentices, strengthening workforce development and employment opportunities in construction.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 11: Providing grants and appropriations through the Montana coal endowment program

HB 11 appropriates money from the Montana coal endowment special revenue account to the Department of Commerce for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025. This bill authorizes over $20 million in grants for specific water and wastewater infrastructure projects in various towns, cities, and water/sewer districts across Montana. Additionally, it allocates over $3.5 million for bridge projects in several counties. The grants are conditional upon recipients meeting specified requirements and the availability of funds, with deadlines for project completion to maintain eligibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $23.5M from coal endowment for infrastructure projects, directly funding public services via state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $3.5M for bridge projects, directly funding transportation infrastructure (bridges are part of road/highway systems).90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 231: Revise property tax rates for certain property

HB 231 revises property tax laws by establishing reduced tax rates for certain class four residential and commercial properties. It provides a lower tax rate for qualifying owner-occupied principal residences and long-term rental properties, as well as for a portion of commercial property value. For principal residences, some owners will automatically qualify for the reduced rate for tax years 2025 and 2026 based on prior tax rebates or assistance programs. Beginning in tax year 2027, all owners seeking these reduced rates must apply to the department and meet specific eligibility criteria, such as demonstrating occupancy for a principal residence or rental periods for long-term rentals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduced property tax rates for qualifying owner-occupied residences provide tax relief, aligning with support for middle-income fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingReduces property taxes for owner-occupied residences and long-term rentals, lowering costs and supporting housing affordability for qualifying homeowners.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 19, 2025

SB 542: Generally revise property tax laws

SB 542 generally revises property tax laws, affecting various property owners. The bill freezes property values for tax years 2025 and 2026 at their 2024 levels, unless a decrease is determined by the Department of Revenue. It provides a property tax rebate of up to $400 for principal residences based on 2024 property taxes paid, which taxpayers must claim between August 15 and October 1, 2025. Additionally, the legislation reduces tax rates for Class Three agricultural property and revises rates for Class Four residential and commercial properties, including lower rates for owner-occupied homes, long-term rentals, and a portion of commercial property value.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFreezes property values for 2025-2026, provides $400 rebates for primary residences, and reduces agricultural tax rates - direct tax relief measures.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 6: Renewable resource grants

HB 6 implements the Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program by appropriating funds to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). The bill allocates specific amounts for various grant types, including emergency projects, planning, irrigation development, private projects, and nonpoint source pollution reduction. Additionally, it appropriates $5.25 million for prioritized infrastructure grant projects to specific cities, towns, and water districts for improvements to wastewater systems, drinking water infrastructure, and stormwater control. Funds for these prioritized projects are awarded in a specified order until available money is expended.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5.25M for infrastructure grants via DNRC, directly funding state budget priorities without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAllocates funds for renewable resource grants and infrastructure projects, directly advancing clean energy initiatives per bill title and summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds nonpoint source pollution reduction and wastewater infrastructure, directly advancing environmental protection through targeted grants and conservation-focused allocations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 85: Reinstating former employer contributions for JRS, HPORS, SRS, GWPORS

HB 85 reinstates former employer contribution rates for four specific public employee retirement systems: the Judges', Highway Patrol Officers', Sheriffs', and Game Wardens' and Peace Officers' Retirement Systems. This directly impacts the governmental entities that employ these personnel and contribute to their pensions. The bill also amends the state's property tax levy calculation procedures, outlining how local governments determine their maximum mill levies based on factors like prior year assessments and newly taxable property. It specifically exempts certain levies, such as those funding the sheriffs' retirement system, from these new

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReinstates employer pension contributions, increasing state spending on public employee retirement systems, supporting fiscal responsibility for essential programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentReinstates employer pension contributions for public employees, protecting retirement benefits which fall under employment standards and worker benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 281: Provide statutory appropriation of reinsurance program assessments

This bill revises state law to provide a continuous, automatic funding mechanism for the state's reinsurance program. It designates assessments collected from members of the reinsurance association, along with any earned interest, as statutorily appropriated. This means these funds can be spent by the program's administrator, the commissioner, without requiring new legislative approval each budget cycle. The money is specifically for covering the administration, operation, and claims expenses of the reinsurance program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAutomates funding for reinsurance program via statutory appropriation, ensuring continuous fiscal support without annual legislative approval for program expenses.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 161: Establish a vending machine account in the special revenue fund

House Bill 161 establishes a new "vending machine account" within the state's special revenue fund for the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). This account will receive a percentage of income collected by DPHHS from vending machines located on federal and state properties that are not operated by blind vendors. The money in this account is statutorily appropriated to DPHHS, meaning the department can use these funds for specific program purposes consistent with federal law without needing further legislative approval. The bill is effective starting July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new revenue account within special fund for DPHHS programs, statutorily appropriating funds for specific health/social services per federal law.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 7: Reclamation and development grants

HB 7 implements and funds the reclamation and development grants program, appropriating over $13.9 million from the natural resources projects state special revenue account. The bill allocates funds to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) for grants beginning July 1, 2025. These grants support planning for reclamation and development projects, pilot water storage initiatives, and specific prioritized projects for political subdivisions and local governments. Grant recipients, which include various counties, cities, and state agencies, must meet conditions such as having an approved project scope, securing matching funds, and complying with auditing requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $13.9M from special revenue account for natural resource grants, directly funding state programs under Budget & Taxes appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates $13.9M for reclamation projects and water storage initiatives under DNRC, directly funding environmental protection and natural resource conservation as indicated by its subjects and purpose.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes