This Montana joint resolution asks the U.S. Congress and federal government to increase Social Security funding to ensure benefits remain secure for at least 75 years without any cuts. The bill directly affects Montana residents who rely on Social Security for retirement, disability, survivor, and children's insurance benefits, representing over 250,000 people in the state. The resolution includes factual statements about Social Security's current funding status, noting that the trust fund has accumulated a surplus and that benefits have never been missed in 90 years of operation. It specifically requests federal action to address projected shortfalls by increasing funding rather than reducing benefits, while also distributing copies to federal officials and Montana's congressional delegation.
This Montana joint resolution urges the U.S. Congress to fully fund law enforcement, public safety, and justice programs on the state's Indian reservations. It calls on federal agencies to coordinate efforts between the Departments of Justice and the Interior, conduct government-to-government consultations with tribes, and allocate sufficient resources for tribal courts, detention facilities, and victim services. The bill also invites tribal governments and the state governor to submit their own resolutions and letters supporting full funding, which will be compiled and sent to Congress and federal officials by June 30, 2025.
This Montana bill changes how 6th graders in accredited middle schools are funded, raising their per-student funding rate to match that of 7th and 8th graders. Currently, 6th graders receive lower elementary school funding rates while their older middle school peers receive higher high school funding rates. The legislation amends state education code sections to redefine how "basic entitlement" is calculated for districts with accredited middle schools, ensuring 6th graders are counted at the same funding level as grades 7 and 8. This change applies to all Montana school districts that operate accredited middle schools and affects the state's school funding distribution system.
This bill prohibits political subdivisions, judicial officers, and school districts in Montana from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofit organizations that primarily represent political subdivisions and engage in lobbying activities. The law allows these entities to cover reasonable travel and per diem expenses for public officers lobbying on their behalf but bars direct payments to lobbying services. It also provides taxpayers and residents the right to seek injunctive relief and recover attorney fees if public funds are improperly used for lobbying purposes. Additionally, the bill amends existing rules of conduct for public officers and employees to reinforce restrictions on using public resources for private business purposes.
This bill revises Montana's cigarette tax from $1.70 to $2.70 per pack of 20 cigarettes and updates related tax provisions for other tobacco products. The changes directly affect wholesalers, retailers, and consumers by increasing the cost of purchasing cigarettes and adjusting tax rates on premium cigars and moist snuff. Key provisions include maintaining a tax exemption system for tribal members on reservations through a quota-based distribution process, requiring wholesalers to obtain department approval before shipping untaxed cigarettes to tribal retailers, and establishing new tax rates of 50% of wholesale price for other tobacco products. The bill also clarifies refund procedures for wholesalers selling to tribal retailers and ensures retailers assume taxes have been paid unless explicitly stated otherwise on invoices.
This bill removes Montana's existing constituent services account, which was previously established to manage donations from legislators for constituent support activities. By repealing Section 13-37-403 of the Montana Code Annotated, the legislation eliminates the legal framework that allowed state representatives to collect and use these specific contributions. The changes take effect immediately upon the bill's approval, meaning any future donations for constituent services would no longer be processed through this designated account.
This bill authorizes the Montana Board of Investments to allocate an additional $50 million from the permanent coal tax trust fund for low-income and moderate-income housing loans, increasing the total available funding to $115 million. The legislation allows the Montana Board of Housing to administer these funds for developing and preserving homes and apartments to help eligible residents meet basic housing needs. It also updates related state statutes to clarify how these funds are managed and repaid into the coal severance tax permanent fund. The bill directly affects housing developers, nonprofit organizations, and low-to-moderate income households seeking affordable housing assistance through state loan programs.
This bill increases the state reimbursement rates that school districts receive for on-schedule transportation services, directly affecting Montana school districts that operate bus routes. The key provision raises mileage reimbursement rates based on the size of the school bus, with larger buses receiving higher per-mile payments ranging from 85 cents to 299 cents. The changes apply to school fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2025, and include adjustments for nonbus mileage when drivers travel to overnight locations more than 10 miles from school.
This bill requires that most money recovered by state agencies through litigation or settlement agreements be deposited into the state general fund, rather than being used for other purposes. The law applies to settlements made after July 1, 2025, and excludes specific categories such as tobacco settlement funds, victim restitution, and natural resource damage recoveries. Agencies may use some settlement money to cover their own litigation costs, but any remaining funds must go to the general fund, with exceptions that the governor can authorize if reported to the legislature.
This bill creates a Montana Emergency Solutions Grant to provide state funding for rapid rehousing programs aimed at individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The legislation appropriates $1 million for fiscal year 2025 and $1 million for fiscal year 2026 to the Department of Public Health and Human Services, which must distribute these funds according to existing federal emergency solutions grant guidelines. Eligible recipients can receive rental assistance at up to 150% of fair market rent, but only for program participants with annual incomes below 80% of the area median income. The funds must be fully distributed by the end of each fiscal year, and the bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.
