Budget & Taxes

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 155: Revise class four residential and commercial property taxes

HB 155 revises property tax laws for Class Four residential and commercial properties. For residential properties, it introduces a graduated tax rate for single-family homes above $1.5 million in market value and sets specific rates for vacant residential lots under $50,000 and certain rental multifamily units over $2 million. For commercial and industrial properties, the bill exempts the first $200,000 of market value from taxation and establishes specific tax rates for the remaining value, with a different rate for golf courses. The bill would have taken effect immediately and applied retroactively to property tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExempts first $200k commercial property value, creating tax break for businesses (wealthy entities), aligning with oppose indicators85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 220: Provide for a child tax credit

HB 220 would establish a refundable child tax credit for Montana resident taxpayers with children under age 5. It provides a $1,200 credit per qualifying child, phasing out for taxpayers with federal adjusted gross income over $56,000 (with a $50,000 phaseout threshold). The credit is refundable, meaning eligible families could receive it as a payment even if they owed no state income tax. The bill also adds the child tax credit to Montana’s required periodic review schedule for tax credits. The bill died in committee on May 22, 2025, and did not become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax relief ($1,200 per child under 5) for low/middle-income families, directly advancing tax policy to support families through fiscal means.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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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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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 424: Revise taxes for class 17 data center property

HB 424 revises property tax classifications for data center property. It modifies the types of property included in Class seventeen for qualified data centers, and extends the timeframe within which this data center property must be built. The bill also revises ownership requirements for Class seventeen data center property. Additionally, it updates the classification of certain dedicated communications infrastructure in Class thirteen, extending its relevant timeframe.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill revises property tax classifications for data centers, providing tax benefits through modified classifications and extended timelines, directly advancing tax policy for a specific sector.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 329: Make the Montana ammunition act permanent

HB 329 aims to encourage the formation of ammunition component manufacturing businesses in Montana. It establishes various state tax exemptions for qualified manufacturers, including property, individual income, corporate income, and other business-related taxes. To receive these exemptions, manufacturers must make their products available to in-state consumers at prices no higher than those for out-of-state purchasers. Additionally, the bill provides individual and corporate income tax exemptions to investors and lenders who provide loans to these eligible ammunition component manufacturers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax exemptions for corporate, property, and individual income taxes for ammunition manufacturers, constituting tax relief that aligns with support indicators for tax policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 228: Revised requirements for the reporting of actual costs for legislation with projected fiscal impacts

HB 228 revises how the Office of Budget and Program Planning reports on the actual costs of certain legislation to the Legislative Finance Committee. It lowers the threshold for tracking from $1 million to $500,000 in projected general fund expenditures. The bill requires reports to be submitted biannually, in February and October, detailing actual spending for the preceding six months and comparing it to the original projected costs. This legislation also repeals a termination date, making this cost reporting requirement permanent.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRevises fiscal reporting to enhance budget transparency and accountability by lowering tracking threshold and requiring biannual cost comparisons, promoting fiscal responsibility.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 10: Long-range information technology appropriations

HB 10 appropriates over $39 million for various information technology (IT) capital projects across multiple state agencies for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. It transfers funds from the general fund to the Long-Range Information Technology Program (LRITP) account to support these initiatives. The bill funds projects such as cybersecurity enhancements, system modernizations, and new business applications for departments like Administration, Corrections, and Public Health and Human Services. All funded projects require approval from the chief information officer and budget director for their design, implementation, and data security plans, emphasizing safeguards against unauthorized access and promoting data sharing among agencies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesHB 10 appropriates $39M for IT capital projects via state budget transfers, directly funding essential state IT infrastructure modernization and cybersecurity under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds cybersecurity enhancements and IT modernization, directly advancing technology infrastructure per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 845: Increase IRC 529 education savings income tax deduction

HB 845 increases the state income tax deduction for individuals contributing to Family Education Savings Accounts (529 plans). Beginning in tax year 2025, the maximum annual deduction for these contributions will rise from $3,000 to $4,500. The bill also establishes an inflation factor to adjust this maximum deduction amount in subsequent tax years based on the consumer price index. These changes apply retroactively to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, for contributions made to accounts owned by the contributor, their spouse, or a Montana resident child or stepchild.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax deduction for 529 education savings, providing direct tax relief to individuals through higher annual deduction ($3k→$4.5k) and inflation adjustment.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases tax deduction for 529 education savings, directly incentivizing higher education affordability and access through expanded tax benefits.95% 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 833: Provide funding to increase correctional capacity

HB 833 provides funding to increase Montana's correctional capacity, directly affecting the state's prison system and the Department of Corrections. The bill establishes a "Future of Corrections Fund" and appropriates a total of $250 million from the general fund. Of this, $30 million is for system assessment, planning, and technology. The remaining $220 million is allocated either for constructing a new state correctional facility or, contingently, for securing additional capacity through other agreements, which may include private correctional facilities, if the budget director determines state construction is not in the state's best interest.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $250M from general fund to expand correctional capacity, directly increasing state budget allocation for public safety services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes