Budget & Taxes

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 8, 2025

LC 936: Revise definition of infrastructure for resort tax

This bill expands the definition of "infrastructure" for Montana's resort tax to include workforce and community housing projects, allowing funds collected from tourists to be used for housing development in addition to traditional infrastructure like roads, utilities, and emergency services. The change directly affects resort area districts and communities where more than half of the economy relies on tourism, enabling these areas to leverage resort tax revenue for housing initiatives. By amending section 7-6-1501 of the Montana Code Annotated, the legislation clarifies that housing projects now qualify as eligible infrastructure uses for resort tax levies. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and approval, providing an updated framework for how tourism revenue can be allocated in designated resort areas and communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands resort tax definition to fund housing projects, increasing available funding for essential community infrastructure and services.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands resort tax definition to include workforce and community housing projects, enabling funding for housing development in tourism-dependent areas.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Property Development

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 6, 2025

LC 1380: Provide exemption for certain modifications to residential property

This bill creates a property tax exemption for homeowners who modify their existing residential structures to add living space. It directly affects owners of class four residential property who make changes like expanding a building or altering its form. The exemption allows owners to exclude the lesser of the increase in market value caused by the modification or 15% of the property's prior year market value from their property tax calculation. The exemption is automatically granted by the department of revenue, but it cannot be claimed for properties built within the last three years, is limited to once every six years per property, and ends when the property is sold. The changes apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax exemption for homeowners modifying residential structures, reducing tax burden and supporting homeownership.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Tax Incentives

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 14, 2025

LC 3693: Provide for a property tax deferral loan program

This bill establishes a property tax deferral loan program in Montana to help eligible homeowners manage rising property tax costs. The program directly affects senior citizens aged 62 and older, active-duty military personnel from Montana, and surviving spouses of qualifying property owners who meet specific equity and residency requirements. Under the bill, the state Board of Housing can provide loans to cover the difference between current property taxes and 2022 tax amounts, with annual increases allowed as long as eligibility is maintained. The loans accrue simple interest at the lesser of the prime mortgage rate or 5% and become a lien on the property, requiring homeowners to carry hazard insurance and meet income and equity thresholds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief to seniors and military through deferral loans, directly supporting tax assistance for vulnerable populations.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes property tax deferral loans for seniors and military to help manage housing costs, directly supporting affordable housing access for vulnerable populations.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill includes active-duty military personnel from Montana as eligible recipients of property tax deferral loans, providing financial assistance to veterans.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Mortgages Property Taxes

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 20, 2025

LC 3444: Revise reporting requirements related to public contracts

This bill requires the Montana Department of Administration to submit quarterly reports to the Legislative Finance Committee on public procurement activities involving contracts valued at $250,000 or more. The reports must include details such as the purchasing agency name, intended procurement items, funding sources, solicitation closing dates, and contractor information for both initial contracts and modifications that increase total contract value. These reporting deadlines occur on March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1 each year, ensuring regular oversight of significant state spending. The legislation applies specifically to procurement solicitations and contracts where the anticipated or actual cost meets the specified threshold.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enhances government transparency and fiscal accountability by requiring detailed public procurement reporting, promoting responsible budget management.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 28, 2025

LC 4010: Allow longevity payments for county detention officers

This bill allows county detention officers in Montana to receive longevity payments similar to those given to deputy sheriffs and undersheriffs. Starting after their first year of employment, detention officers would earn an additional 1% of their minimum base annual salary for each year of service, paid out in monthly installments. The legislation also clarifies that these salary provisions override conflicting state laws regarding unfunded mandates. This change directly affects county detention officers and their employers by creating a new compensation structure for long-term service.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases compensation for county detention officers through longevity payments, representing increased funding for essential public safety services and government employee benefits.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes longevity payments for detention officers, expanding worker benefits and increasing compensation for county employees.90% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 28, 2025

LC 1778: Establish Montana's BEST program to bolster educator support and training

This bill creates the Montana B.E.S.T. (Bolstering Educators' Support and Training) program, a statewide initiative administered by the Office of Public Instruction designed to support early-career teachers during their first three years in the profession. The program pairs new teachers with experienced mentors in the same subject or grade level for a one-year structured training period, including ongoing support, regional meetings, and a digital communication platform. Funding includes $2,500 stipends for mentors, $600 stipends for participating teachers (with at least $300 from their school district), and up to 15% of state funds for administrative costs. The bill also requires annual reporting to the education interim committee on program status and impact, with an initial appropriation of $1 million per year starting July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a new educator support program with explicit funding allocation, strengthening state education services through appropriations.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates BEST program to support early-career teachers with mentoring, training, and funding, directly strengthening educator support and professional development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 18, 2025

LC 3715: Provide funding for grizzly bear management

This bill allocates $210,000 from the general license account to Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to hire two full-time bear technicians for Region 3, which covers southwest Montana. The funding is intended to help the agency manage conflicts between expanding grizzly bear populations and increasing human development in the area. The money will supplement existing base funding and is scheduled to begin on July 1, 2025, with the legislature planning for the 2027 appropriation to become part of future base funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $210,000 from general license account to fund grizzly bear management and hire bear technicians, directly supporting state wildlife management programs.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill allocates funding for grizzly bear management and conservation, directly supporting wildlife protection and environmental preservation efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Wildlife

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 10, 2024

LC 459: Expanding access to low-cost capital to certain eligible projects and entities

This bill expands access to low-cost financing for nonprofit organizations and public-benefit projects in Montana, including hospitals, schools, renewable energy facilities, and family service providers. It increases the Montana Facility Finance Authority's bond issuance limit to $1.5 billion and adds a biennial inflation adjustment to that cap to maintain funding capacity over time. The legislation also updates legal definitions to clarify which types of facilities and entities qualify for these financing options, ensuring broader eligibility for community and economic development projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state bond issuance limit and adds inflation adjustments to fund nonprofit projects, hospitals, schools, and renewable energy facilities, directly supporting public budget and essential services.85% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly includes renewable energy facilities as eligible for low-cost financing, directly advancing clean energy infrastructure development in Montana.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases funding capacity for hospitals and healthcare facilities through expanded bond issuance limits, directly supporting healthcare infrastructure and access.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Renewable Energy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 24, 2024

LC 43: Revise educational laws pertaining to recruitment and retention and MSDB

This bill updates Montana education laws to improve teacher recruitment and retention while expanding support for the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind. It makes educational sign language interpreters eligible for quality educator payments and loan assistance, and broadens the types of schools that can receive incentives for meeting teacher pay benchmarks and participate in the teacher residency program. The bill also allows the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind to transport resident students between home and school using school buses. Additionally, it defines "impacted schools" to include special education cooperatives, the school for the deaf and blind, correctional facilities, reservation schools, and rural schools located more than 20 minutes from larger cities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands funding for teacher recruitment/retention and supports special education school programs through quality educator payments and loan assistance.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves teacher recruitment/retention, expands support for deaf/blind school, and makes interpreters eligible for educator payments and loan assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Teachers

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 5, 2025

LC 2663: Provide account and transfer for BOI for investment in precious metals and digital assets

This bill creates a new state special revenue account called the Inflation Protection Act account to invest state funds in precious metals and digital assets. The Montana Board of Investments will manage these investments, with all earnings required to stay within the account. By July 15, 2025, the state treasurer must transfer $50 million from the general fund to establish the account, which becomes operational on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new state revenue account and transfers $50M from general fund to invest in precious metals and digital assets, promoting fiscal management and state fund preservation.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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