HB 340 would have created Montana's BEST (Bolstering Educators' Support and Training) program to support teachers in their first three years of teaching. It required pairing new teachers with experienced mentors, providing $2,500 stipends for mentors and $600 stipends for new teachers (with $300 contributed by their school district), and allocating $1 million annually from state funds. The program aimed to improve teacher retention and student outcomes through structured training, regional gatherings, and data collection, with special focus on "impacted schools" as defined in existing law. The bill was vetoed by the Governor on June 19, 2025, so it did not become law.
HB 551 would have created a state program to replace funding for Montana school districts that eliminate small copayments for reduced-price school lunches and breakfasts. It aimed to remove financial barriers for families meeting federal income eligibility (for low-income meals) by providing $600,000 annually starting in 2025 to offset lost revenue. The bill required the state superintendent to administer the program and adopt rules, with funding intended to cover districts voluntarily removing fees. However, the bill was vetoed by the governor on June 19, 2025, so it did not become law.
SB 204 would have limited most voter-approved property tax levies (mill levies) to a 10-year duration without requiring reapproval by voters. It directly affects local governments - including school districts, cities, and counties - that collect property taxes, requiring them to seek voter reapproval before existing levies expire. Key provisions include setting termination dates for all levies after 10 years (unless exceptions apply) and listing specific exceptions for school levies, community colleges, law enforcement, fire protection, and emergency medical services. The bill aimed to ensure ongoing voter oversight of property tax rates while maintaining stability for essential public services. (Note: The bill died in process on May 23, 2025, and did not become law.)
SB 526 establishes a grant program to fund tribal colleges in Montana developing community health aide and dental health aide training programs. The program provides up to $3 million per institution, including a $1 million startup grant and $500,000 annually for four years, to expand or create education programs qualifying graduates for federal certification. Tribal colleges receiving grants must report annually on program outcomes, including graduates, provider certifications, patient access metrics, and cost-effectiveness. The bill directly affects tribal colleges and aims to address healthcare disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native communities by increasing local provider capacity. It allocates $1.5 million from the general fund for the 2025-2027 biennium to support this initiative.
SB 551 would establish a licensing system for online fantasy sports companies operating in Montana, requiring them to obtain approval from the Department of Justice. It defines "fantasy sports contests" as skill-based games where outcomes depend on player knowledge (not chance), mandates background checks for applicants, and sets fees for licensing and criminal background investigations. The bill also creates tax rules based on "internet fantasy sports contest adjusted revenues" and requires companies to maintain records for audits. This bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.
SB 205 would have revised Montana's voter approval requirements for local property tax levies and bond elections. It would have increased the minimum voter turnout threshold for county bond elections from 30% to 40% (requiring 50%+ of votes cast to approve), and raised the threshold for city/town bond elections from 40% to 50% turnout (also requiring 50%+ of votes cast). These changes directly affected counties and municipalities seeking voter approval for bond measures or mill levies. The bill died in process in May 2025 and did not become law.
SB 32 revises Montana's property tax structure by adjusting tax rates for multiple property classes. It lowers the tax rate for mining property (Class 2) from 3% to 1.65% of gross proceeds, sets agricultural land (Class 3) at 1.65% of productive value, and modifies residential/commercial rates (Class 4), including a reduced 1% rate for owner-occupied homes and a 1.4x multiplier for properties over $1.5 million. The bill also adds an inflation adjustment for local government tax levies and clarifies definitions for properties like nonproductive mining claims and owner-occupied residences. These changes directly affect property owners across Montana, particularly in agriculture, mining, and residential real estate.
SB 203 would increase Montana's income tax thresholds, meaning more income would be taxed at the lower 4.7% rate instead of the higher 5.9% rate. Specifically, it raises the income level before the higher rate applies to $200,000 for joint filers, $150,000 for heads of household, and $100,000 for single filers. This change affects all Montana individual income taxpayers, potentially reducing their tax burden for income falling within the new, higher thresholds. The bill also includes retroactive application to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.
SB 108 requires Montana local governments (counties, cities, school districts) to get voter approval before raising property taxes or issuing bonds to pay court judgments, settlements, or tax protest refunds that exceed existing tax limits. Specifically, if a government needs to collect more tax revenue than permitted under current law (2-9-108) to cover these costs, voters must approve the levy or bond issuance. The bill amends multiple statutes to enforce this voter approval step for such "excess" tax increases. It does not change how governments pay routine expenses but adds a new voting requirement for specific, larger financial obligations tied to legal disputes. This affects local budgets when resolving court cases or tax disputes that require funding beyond standard tax allowances.
SB 554 (Montana) limits nonprofit hospitals (excluding critical access/rural emergency hospitals) to charging no more than 300% of the Medicare reimbursement rate for Medicare-eligible services. Hospitals exceeding this rate face an escalating excise tax (starting at 25% in 2027 and rising to 50% after 2030) and risk losing nonprofit status. The bill also requires hospitals to maintain written financial assistance and community benefit policies, submit annual reports including IRS Form 990, and comply with new reporting rules. This bill died in process in May 2025 and was never enacted.
