Budget & Taxes

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.

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.

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.