Budget & Taxes

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 928: Revise tax rate for agricultural property owned by certain nonprofits

House Bill 928 sought to revise the property tax calculation for agricultural land owned by specific nonprofit corporations. It proposed creating a new subcategory of Class three property for agricultural land acquired by nonprofits after the bill's effective date, excluding entities like churches, schools, and hospitals. For this particular land, its taxable value would have been determined by multiplying its productive capacity value by 10 times the standard agricultural land taxable percentage rate. This mechanism aimed to increase the taxable value of agricultural property held by certain nonprofits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax relief for nonprofits by lowering agricultural property tax rate through revised calculation method.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 412: Provide exemption for certain modifications to residential property

HB 412 proposed a new property tax exemption for homeowners who modify their existing residential properties to add living space. This exemption would apply to the increase in market value due to the modification, up to a limit of 15% of the property's market value before the modification. However, it would not apply to modifications made within three years of new construction, and only one exemption could be granted every six years, terminating upon the sale of the property. The Department of Revenue would automatically grant this exemption, which was set to begin in tax years after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for home modifications, reducing taxable value increase for homeowners, aligning with tax relief support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 351: Limit the state's ability to bank statewide mills

SB 351 limits Montana local governments' ability to save ("bank") property tax authority for certain state-mandated tax programs. It specifically amends property tax law to prevent local entities from carrying forward unused mill authority (tax rate allowances) for taxes imposed under statutes 20-9-331, 20-9-333, 20-9-360, and 20-25-439. This change directly affects counties, cities, and school districts that rely on these specific state tax programs, requiring them to use their full annual tax authority each year rather than saving it for future use. The bill’s key provision removes these programs from the existing rule that allows governments to carry forward unused tax authority to future years.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts local governments' ability to bank unused property tax authority, limiting fiscal flexibility under state tax programs per bill's amendment to property tax law.92% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts school districts' ability to bank property tax authority, limiting their financial flexibility for education funding under state-mandated tax programs.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax

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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 · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 287: Generally revise state finance laws

SB 287 creates the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust to manage volatile state revenues, including transferring funds to new specialized accounts like Montana Water Development, Better Local Bridges, and Early Childhood. It modifies property tax assistance by requiring homeowners to certify primary residences (with penalties for false claims) and directing county credits to eligible homeowners. The bill establishes rules for distributing trust interest income to state accounts, limits volatile revenue transfers during budget deficits, and revises pension fund transfers. These changes directly affect state finance agencies, local governments, and homeowners applying for property tax credits. The bill also creates a Montana Housing Trust and updates reporting requirements for state funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust to fund specialized programs (Water, Bridges, Early Childhood) and manages volatile revenues through structured distribution.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 946: Revise selective sales taxes to provide ongoing property tax relief

HB 946 aimed to provide property tax relief for owners of principal residences by increasing selective sales taxes on lodging and rental cars. The bill proposed a temporary property tax credit of up to $400 for eligible principal residences for tax year 2025, based on 2024 tax payments. It also outlined plans for permanent property tax assistance starting in tax year 2026. The Department of Revenue would have been responsible for certifying principal residences and processing claims, which included an application and appeals process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief via increased selective sales taxes, directly addressing tax burden management and fiscal responsibility for homeowners.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Sales Tax

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 27: Remove automatic agricultural classification for certain parcels

HB 27 revises the criteria for classifying land as agricultural for property tax valuation. The bill introduces an application and review process for certain agricultural properties, moving away from automatic classification. It also increases the required annual gross income for parcels between 20 and 160 acres to qualify as agricultural land. Furthermore, it establishes a new "idle land" classification with a revised tax rate, replacing the prior "nonqualified agricultural property" classification, directly affecting property owners with these land types.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCloses agricultural tax loophole by requiring higher income thresholds and application process, increasing tax revenue from non-qualifying parcels through revised classification.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Sales Tax Tags Agriculture

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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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