Budget & Taxes (State Budget)

died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1310: Allow for the return of surplus revenue to taxpayers

This bill (LC 1310) proposed returning excess state revenue collected in a given fiscal year to taxpayers. It aimed to direct surplus funds - money the state collected beyond its budgeted needs - to individuals or businesses that paid state taxes. However, the bill was drafted in November 2024, placed on hold, and ultimately died in the legislative process on May 26, 2025, without becoming law. As a result, no policy change was implemented.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReturns surplus tax revenue to taxpayers, providing direct tax relief and promoting fiscal responsibility per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue State Budget

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died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1552: Establish a fund for local governments

This bill (LC 1552) proposed creating a dedicated fund to provide financial support to local governments. It was drafted in November 2024 but was placed on hold the following day and ultimately died in the legislative process by May 2025. No specific funding mechanisms, eligibility criteria, or affected local government entities were detailed in the available record. As a proposed funding mechanism that did not advance, it did not become law or affect any policies. The bill is inactive with no further legislative action recorded.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProposed dedicated fund for local government financial support aligns with funding essential programs under State Finance subjects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Tags Local Government

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 2997: Prohibit public funds from being used for pride or LGBTQ events

This bill would have prohibited state or local governments from using public funds to support pride events or other LGBTQ-related gatherings. It directly affected government agencies and municipalities that allocate public money for community events. The key provision would have created a spending restriction on such activities, though the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage and died in process in May 2025.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly prohibits public funds for LGBTQ events, restricting government spending on specific programs and aligning with defunding indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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signed · Montana · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 924: Generally revise state finance laws

HB 924 creates the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust, funded by half of the state's unpredictable revenue (like capital gains or oil royalties) starting in 2027. Interest income from the trust is split: half distributes $15 million annually to five specific programs (disaster resiliency, property tax relief, water development, bridge repairs, and early childhood care), while the other half reinvests in pension funds and housing infrastructure. The bill establishes new accounts for these programs and sets rules for calculating volatile revenue using historical data to stabilize budgeting. It directly affects state budgeting, early childhood services, infrastructure projects, and pension systems through mandatory funding allocations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax relief and funds essential programs (disaster resiliency, water, bridges, early childhood) via new trust, directly supporting tax relief and public spending priorities.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates half of interest income to housing infrastructure, directly funding development projects per the trust's structure.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates funds specifically to 'bridge repairs' (transportation infrastructure) as one of five designated programs funded by the trust's interest income.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions State Budget Property Development Property Taxes Bridges

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 252: Create the student and teacher advancement for results and success act (STARS)

HB 252, known as the STARS Act, revises state school funding laws to support students and school staff. It enhances the school funding formula by offering incentives to increase teacher base salaries and encourage resource sharing among school districts. The bill also provides increased budget authority for districts with high housing costs and restores full funding to the Advanced Opportunities program. Additionally, it establishes a new "Future Ready" funding component for K-12 schools focused on postgraduation preparation and includes certain district clerks and staff with emergency authorizations in educator funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enhances school funding formula, increases budget authority for districts, restores Advanced Opportunities funding, and creates new education-focused funding components.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnhances school funding formula with teacher salary incentives, restores Advanced Opportunities funding, and adds Future Ready component for K-12.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding Teachers

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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signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 156: Revise education funding laws by replacing school district BASE levies with countywide BASE levies

HB 156 revises public education funding by replacing individual school district property tax levies for base budgets with a single countywide property tax levy. This new countywide levy, supported by state aid, will fund the basic operating expenses for all school districts within a county. The bill also adjusts state guaranteed tax base aid from a district to a county level and reduces required tuition payments. These changes impact school districts, local taxpayers, and revise the duties of school and county officials regarding education funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill replaces district levies with countywide levies supported by state aid, ensuring stable education funding without increasing local tax burdens, aligning with fiscal responsibility and public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationReplaces school district levies with countywide system using state aid to fund basic operations, reduces tuition payments, and adjusts state aid to strengthen school financing structure.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax State Budget School Funding

signed · Montana · Senate May 19, 2025

SB 542: Generally revise property tax laws

SB 542 generally revises property tax laws, affecting various property owners. The bill freezes property values for tax years 2025 and 2026 at their 2024 levels, unless a decrease is determined by the Department of Revenue. It provides a property tax rebate of up to $400 for principal residences based on 2024 property taxes paid, which taxpayers must claim between August 15 and October 1, 2025. Additionally, the legislation reduces tax rates for Class Three agricultural property and revises rates for Class Four residential and commercial properties, including lower rates for owner-occupied homes, long-term rentals, and a portion of commercial property value.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFreezes property values for 2025-2026, provides $400 rebates for primary residences, and reduces agricultural tax rates - direct tax relief measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax State Budget