This bill eliminates the Tobacco Prevention Advisory Board in Montana by repealing the section of state law that established it. It modifies existing tobacco settlement funding rules to remove the requirement that money from the tobacco prevention account be used to support the advisory board. The changes affect how state funds from tobacco settlement proceeds are allocated, specifically allowing those funds to be used only for tobacco disease prevention programs and Children's Health Insurance Program matching without any portion going to the advisory board. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and approval by the legislature.
This bill prevents certain state-mandated property tax levies from being carried forward to future years if local governments do not use their full authorized tax authority in the current year. It directly affects Montana counties, school districts, and other governmental entities that impose property taxes, specifically limiting how they can bank unused tax mill authority for later use. The key provision amends existing property tax law to exclude specific state-mandated levies - such as those for school districts, regional resource authorities, and certain special assessments - from the ability to carry forward unused tax authority. Local governments will still be able to carry forward unused tax authority for their own discretionary levies, but they cannot do so for taxes required by state law for specific purposes.
This bill revises Montana's Medicaid expansion program by introducing new fees and community engagement requirements for participants. It requires individuals aged 19 to 55 to complete 80 hours of work, education, or community activities each month to receive coverage, while also establishing taxpayer integrity fees for those with significant assets like excess real estate equity or multiple vehicles. The legislation creates a monthly fee of $100 plus additional charges based on asset value above certain thresholds, and imposes fees on nonprofit organizations with Medicaid-eligible members. These changes aim to maintain program integrity by linking benefits to active participation and limiting access for those with substantial financial resources.
This bill amends Montana state law to require public libraries receiving state aid to provide matching funds equal to the grant amount. The matching funds must come from local or tribal government sources, not from other state or federal money. Libraries must submit certification from a responsible official confirming they have secured the required matching funds before receiving state grants. The changes take effect on July 1, 2025, and apply to the distribution of per capita and per square mile funding to public libraries and library districts.
This bill exempts agricultural property from open space property tax levies in Montana, directly affecting landowners who classify their property for agricultural use. The key provision amends state law to remove agricultural land from the list of properties subject to these levies, which fund various county services like parks, roads, and fire control. If a county had already collected payments from exempt agricultural property, the bill allows counties to reduce those payments to refund the overcharged amount. The law takes effect immediately upon passage and applies retroactively to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.
This bill prevents the Montana Department of Revenue from refusing to approve a transfer of an alcohol license solely because the current owner owes outstanding taxes, penalties, or interest to the state. Instead, any money received from the sale of the license can be used to pay off those existing debts, ensuring the transfer process is not blocked by financial obligations. The changes apply to both the sale of the business and the transfer of inventory under specific conditions, allowing licenses to change hands even when the seller has unpaid debts. This update aims to clarify the relationship between license transfers and tax liabilities while maintaining the department's authority to collect owed funds through the sale proceeds.
This bill modifies Montana laws governing voter-approved property tax levies by establishing time limits on their duration and requiring periodic voter reapproval. It directly affects local governments, school districts, and taxing entities that have previously approved property tax increases through elections. The key provision limits most new or extended mill levies to a maximum of 10 years without requiring voters to reapprove them before the expiration date. Additionally, the bill clarifies how tax increment calculations work for targeted economic development districts and urban renewal areas, specifying which mill rates should be excluded from those calculations based on when the districts were created.
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 requires voter approval before Montana counties, cities, or school districts can use new property tax levies or issue bonds to pay court judgments, settlements, or property taxes paid under protest. The law amends multiple state statutes to ensure that any special tax increases or debt issued for these financial obligations must be submitted to registered voters for approval. Local governments can still pay these costs from existing funds or insurance, but cannot raise new taxes without a public vote. The changes apply to all political subdivisions and take effect on the bill's applicability date.
This bill creates a new 10% severance tax on electricity produced in Montana using non-coal sources such as wind, solar, or hydroelectric power, while exempting coal-generated electricity from the tax. The tax is calculated based on the gross sale price of the electricity at the point of production, and producers must file quarterly returns with the Department of Revenue to report and pay the tax. Revenue collected from this tax will be placed in a special state account and used to fund local government infrastructure projects that were traditionally supported by coal severance tax revenue. Additionally, the bill reduces the existing coal severance tax rate to match the new electrical energy production tax rate, creating a revenue-neutral transition between energy sources.
