Budget & Taxes

passed both · Montana · Senate May 5, 2025

SJ 27: Joint resolution urging Congress to act on brucellosis vaccines for livestock

Senate Joint Resolution 27 urges the United States Congress to take action regarding livestock brucellosis vaccinations. The resolution highlights the impact of brucellosis on cattle and bison, the lack of affordable treatments, and a current shortage of the only U.S.-produced vaccine. It asks Congress to enact legislation that expands vaccine availability, requires assistance to states for rapid outbreak response, and provides funding for preventative vaccination programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly requests Congress provide funding for livestock vaccination programs, advancing government spending on agricultural health initiatives.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

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 · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 495: Eliminate the tobacco prevention advisory board

Senate Bill 495 eliminates the Tobacco Prevention Advisory Board. The bill repeals the specific section of law that established this board. It also amends existing statute to remove the board from the list of entities funded by state special revenue accounts, which are primarily used for tobacco disease prevention programs and the Children's Health Insurance Program. The direct effect is the dissolution of the advisory board, which previously provided guidance for these programs.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds tobacco prevention and CHIP programs by removing advisory board from state special revenue accounts, directly eliminating funding streams.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareDissolves tobacco prevention advisory board, removing it from state funding lists for tobacco disease prevention programs, directly defunding public health initiatives.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 228: Revise laws related to public charging stations for electric vehicles

SB 228 revises laws related to public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, affecting EV owners and charging station operators. The bill imposes a 3-cent per kilowatt-hour tax on electricity delivered to public charging stations, with specific effective dates for new and existing stations. It mandates that all public charging stations install a separate electric meter, with the owner responsible for installation costs. Additionally, the bill eliminates a future 30% reduction in state registration fees for electric vehicles. Public charging station operators are also required to register with the state and disclose their charging rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 3-cent/kWh tax on EV charging stations, directly increasing tax revenue under taxation policy for transportation infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates EV charging infrastructure improvements with tax for regulation, supporting renewable energy adoption and clean transportation infrastructure expansion.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes regulations and funding mechanisms for EV charging infrastructure, directly promoting sustainable transportation adoption through public charging station requirements and tax structure.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House Apr 18, 2025

HB 234: Extend the use of funding for lead-in-schools appropriated in 2023

HB 234 extends the period for using funds previously appropriated in 2023 for projects addressing lead in schools. The bill reappropriates specific funds, originally allocated under Section 5, Chapter 763, Laws of 2023, subsection (10). This ensures the appropriations remain available for their original purpose until they are fully spent or the related capital improvement projects are completed. This measure allows schools to continue utilizing these funds for lead remediation efforts without a set expiration date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reappropriates existing 2023 funds for school lead remediation, ensuring fiscal responsibility by extending use period without new taxes or cuts to essential programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends existing school funding for lead remediation, ensuring continued investment in school infrastructure safety and compliance with original 2023 appropriations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 357: Provide funding for middle school career and technical education

HB 357 provides state funding specifically for career and technical education (CTE) programs in middle schools, junior high schools, and 7th and 8th-grade programs. It directs the Superintendent of Public Instruction to annually distribute these funds to eligible elementary and K-12 school districts. The bill appropriates $100,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 to support these programs. The Superintendent will adopt rules to ensure equitable distribution and proper use of the funds, enhancing existing federal support without school size restrictions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100,000 from general fund for middle school CTE programs, directly increasing state budget allocation for education as per Appropriations subject.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $100k for middle school CTE funding, directly advancing vocational education programs through state financial support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 37: Clarify calculations for significant enrollment increases

SB 37 revises school funding laws by clarifying how significant enrollment increases are calculated for state aid payments. The bill specifies that these calculations must be made separately for each budget unit within a school district. A district becomes eligible for additional funding if its current October enrollment count, converted to ANB, exceeds its budget limit ANB from three years prior by 110% or more. The Superintendent of Public Instruction determines the payment amount, which districts can accept fully or partially to address costs associated with the enrollment growth.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill clarifies state aid calculations for school funding, ensuring additional state budget allocations for districts meeting enrollment criteria, directly supporting education program funding within fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies enrollment calculation to trigger additional state aid when enrollment exceeds 110% of prior budget limit, directly advancing school funding mechanisms.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 35: Clarify enrollment counts for early literacy jumpstart program

This bill clarifies how school districts count enrollment for funding purposes when children participate in early literacy jumpstart programs. It specifies that children in these programs are counted as quarter-time enrollment for a district's Average Number Belonging (ANB) calculation, which determines state funding. The bill also states that if a child attends a jumpstart program in a district other than their resident district, no out-of-district attendance agreement or tuition is required. Additionally, it outlines reporting requirements for districts on program efficacy and mandates the superintendent of public instruction to monitor and report on these interventions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClarifies enrollment counts for state funding allocation in education programs, ensuring proper budget distribution for early literacy initiatives without altering tax policies.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies funding calculation for early literacy programs, ensuring proper state funding allocation without requiring out-of-district tuition, advancing educational access and program participation.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 89: Provide deadline to file for property tax relief from a disaster

HB 89 amends Montana's property tax law to require taxpayers to file claims for disaster-related property tax relief within 2 years of a natural disaster destroying their property. This directly affects Montana homeowners and property owners who suffer damage from events like fires, floods, or earthquakes (including fires regardless of origin, unless arson is convicted). The key provision establishes a clear deadline for filing claims, replacing the previous lack of time limit, and clarifies how tax adjustments are calculated based on the days property existed before and after the disaster. The bill takes immediate effect upon the Governor's signature, which occurred on April 7, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables timely access to existing property tax relief for disaster victims, facilitating tax benefits without altering rates or funding.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 210: Revise laws relating to unemployment insurance program collection rates and uses

HB 210 revises Montana's unemployment insurance program to enhance fraud prevention and adjust employer tax rates. It requires weekly checks against prison records, new hire databases, and motor vehicle records to verify claimant eligibility (affecting both claimants and employers). The bill creates a lower tax schedule for some employers, clarifies penalties for fraudulent claims (requiring repayment plus 50% penalty), and directs 70% of penalty funds to fraud detection efforts. These changes apply directly to Montana employers paying unemployment taxes and individuals claiming benefits under the state's program. The bill became law after Governor's signature on April 7, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdjusts employer tax rates downward for some, directs penalty funds to fraud detection, enhancing fiscal management and budget integrity.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes