This bill creates a new Montana Water Development State Special Revenue Account to fund water storage projects and dam safety initiatives. It establishes a mechanism where 90% of investment earnings from the new account go to an existing water storage fund, while 10% goes to a natural resources projects fund for pilot projects and dam inspections. The legislation also directs the state treasurer to transfer $50 million from the general fund to the new account in 2025 and another $50 million in 2026. These changes affect state budget allocations and provide dedicated funding sources for water infrastructure development and maintenance.
This bill updates the Montana Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act by aligning its definitions with the federal Internal Revenue Code and the state's individual income tax code. It directly affects individuals with disabilities and their families who use ABLE accounts to save for qualified disability expenses. The key provision revises Section 53-25-103 of the Montana Code Annotated to ensure terms like "eligible individual," "qualified disability expenses," and "annual contribution limit" match federal standards. The changes take effect immediately and apply retroactively to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024.
This bill allows Montana counties to hire their own property appraisers with approval from the state Department of Revenue, giving local governments more flexibility in how they assess property values for tax purposes. The legislation requires county appraisers to be state-certified and mandates that their valuations be used when certifying taxable property values. Additionally, the bill clarifies that both state and county appraisers may enter private land to conduct property inspections, provided they follow specific notice procedures that inform landowners of their right to be present during the appraisal process. If landowners refuse access, appraisers may estimate property values based on exterior inspections, and tax appeal boards cannot adjust these estimates unless the landowner provides their own certified appraisal or grants permission for entry.
This bill revises Montana's film tax credit program to expand incentives for media production companies operating in the state. It increases the total credit limit available, extends the program through 2045, and creates a new fee specifically for workforce training in the film industry. The legislation also introduces higher credits for hiring veterans and tribal members, establishes rules reserving credits for Montana-based businesses, and clarifies definitions around compensation and eligible production activities.
This bill creates an exemption from Montana's contractor gross receipts tax for individuals and businesses that are in good standing with state tax obligations. To qualify, applicants must be residents or licensed entities that have filed all required state income, payroll, and property tax returns on time and paid all owed taxes. The Department of Revenue will maintain a public list of qualifying contractors on its website, and the department has authority to set rules for application deadlines and renewal processes. The exemption applies to public contractors and their subcontractors working on projects exceeding $80,000, and the law takes effect on January 1, 2026.
This bill increases the statutory funding available for disaster and emergency responses in Montana, raising the governor's emergency expenditure limit from $20 million to $22 million per biennium. It also creates a new $3 million annual allocation for the Department of Military Affairs to fund disaster planning, training, and administrative costs without requiring a formal disaster declaration. Additionally, the bill clarifies that any unused funds from the emergency appropriation must be transferred to the fire suppression account at the end of each biennium. These changes apply to state agencies designated by the governor and take effect on July 1, 2025.
This bill establishes the Montana Hunters and Anglers Community Fund, allowing hunters and anglers to donate an optional amount of $1 or more above their license fees to support rural communities. The Montana Department of Commerce will administer the fund, which can award grants to small communities, schools, and nonprofit organizations for projects like community improvements, food banks, and student activities. A seven-member review board, appointed by state officials and composed of hunters, anglers, and community advocates, will evaluate grant applications. The bill also creates a dedicated state account for the fund and sets rules prohibiting grants for political activities or entities involved in lawsuits.
This bill updates Montana's tax rules for captive insurers and special purpose insurers, which are insurance companies owned by businesses or individuals to cover their own risks. It establishes a tiered premium tax structure where direct premiums are taxed at 0.4% on the first $20 million and 0.3% thereafter, while assumed reinsurance premiums face lower rates ranging from 0.225% to 0.050% depending on the amount. The legislation also sets a minimum annual tax of $5,000 for most captive insurers, prorated based on when they are authorized or surrender their authority, and groups companies under common ownership and control into a single taxable entity. These changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.
This bill directs the state treasurer to transfer $50 million from Montana's general fund to the Housing Montana Fund, which is designed to support affordable housing initiatives. The legislation requires the Department of Commerce to review and update existing administrative rules related to housing programs before the next legislative session begins. These changes take effect on July 1, 2025, and directly impact the state's housing funding structure and regulatory framework.
HB 906 amends existing Montana property tax rebate laws to provide financial relief to homeowners by increasing rebate amounts for principal residences occupied in 2022 and 2023. The bill allows eligible taxpayers who owned and lived in their homes for at least seven months during those years to receive up to $319 for 2022 and $330 for 2023, or the full amount of taxes paid if it is less than those limits. Property owners must submit claims electronically or by mail between August 15 and October 1 each year, and the state will mail notices to potential claimants by June 30 of the following year. The legislation also clarifies definitions for principal residences and outlines procedures for handling claims from deceased taxpayers or those in revocable trusts.
