Budget & Taxes (Revenue)

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 102: Revise calculation of state education levies

SB 102 limits annual revenue growth for specific education levies in Montana. It caps the increase in property tax revenue from state school equalization levies and vocational-technical education levies at no more than 3% above the previous year's total. The bill also prevents school districts from carrying forward unused mill authority (property tax rate authority) for these specific levies. This directly affects school districts that rely on these levies for funding, ensuring their revenue growth cannot exceed 3% annually without voter approval. The policy change applies to the calculation method for these levies as outlined in Montana law.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCaps property tax revenue growth for education levies at 3%, restricting school district funding flexibility and limiting tax increases.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationCaps annual revenue growth for education levies at 3% and prevents carrying forward unused tax authority, directly restricting school district funding flexibility and growth.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue School Funding

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 327: Legislative referendum on state surplus revenue

HB 327 proposes a legislative referendum that, if approved by Montana voters, would authorize the state legislature to establish a program to return excess state revenue to resident income taxpayers. This bill grants the legislature the ability to create such a program, outlining considerations like the amount of revenue that triggers refunds, how they are calculated, and eligibility requirements. The proposed act would be submitted to qualified electors for approval at the November 2026 general election.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReturns surplus revenue to taxpayers, providing direct tax relief for individuals and aligning with fiscal responsibility in state tax policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue State Budget

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 887: Provide property tax relief funded with lodging tax revenue

HB 887 was a legislative bill designed to provide property tax assistance for owners of primary residences. The bill proposed to fund this relief by redirecting a portion of the state's lodging tax revenue. It aimed to amend existing statutes governing the distribution of these lodging tax proceeds. While the bill's intent was to reallocate lodging tax funds for property tax relief, the provided text does not detail the specific changes or mechanisms for how these funds would be redirected.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects lodging tax revenue to fund property tax relief for primary residences, directly providing tax relief through budget reallocation without increasing taxes or defunding services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue Sales Tax

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signed · Montana · House Feb 27, 2025

HB 19: Require public hearing before certain tax increment financing bonding

HB 19 requires local governments (like cities or counties) to hold a public hearing before using tax revenue from a tax increment financing district to pay for bonds that would extend the district's life beyond 15 years. This applies when a local government wants to pledge future tax revenue to fund bonds for urban renewal or economic development projects. The bill mandates that the local government must notify the county and school district where the project is located and hold the hearing to determine if extending the district is necessary to fulfill its development plan. The law takes effect for bond pledges made after its enactment date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds public hearing requirement for tax increment financing bonds, promoting fiscal transparency and accountability in local budget decisions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Revenue Tax Incentives

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 892: Revise allocation of the insurance premium tax to fund property tax relief

House Bill 892 proposed to redirect a portion of the state's insurance premium tax revenue to help fund property tax relief. The bill would have mandated the transfer of $10 million annually from insurance tax collections to a new state property tax assistance account. This change aimed to reallocate state funds to provide financial assistance related to property taxes, indirectly affecting taxpayers. The bill's implementation was dependent on the passage of Senate Bill No. 90, which would establish the property tax assistance account.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects $10M annual insurance tax revenue to fund property tax relief, directly providing tax assistance to taxpayers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

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signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 162: Revise definition of infrastructure for resort tax

House Bill 162 revises the definition of "infrastructure" for communities that levy a resort tax. This bill expands the types of projects that can be funded by a resort tax to include "workforce and community housing projects." Previously, resort tax funds for infrastructure were primarily allocated to traditional public services like water, sewer, roads, and public safety. This change allows resort communities and areas to utilize resort tax revenue for housing initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands resort tax revenue use to fund housing projects, redirecting existing tax funds toward community housing initiatives under local finance.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands resort tax funding to include workforce/community housing projects, directly advancing housing development through municipal revenue allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes