This bill amends Montana's state bonding laws to allow municipalities and counties to issue bonds for broadband infrastructure projects. It directly affects local governments and internet service providers by expanding the legal definition of eligible "projects" to include facilities that provide broadband service with speeds of at least 100 megabits per second for downloads, 20 megabits per second for uploads, and latency under 100 milliseconds. The key provision adds a new category to the existing list of projects that qualify for state bonding authority, enabling these entities to finance broadband expansion through debt instruments. This change does not allocate specific funding but rather removes a legal barrier that previously prevented local governments from using bond financing for broadband development.
This bill expands access to low-cost financing for nonprofit organizations and public-benefit projects in Montana, including hospitals, schools, renewable energy facilities, and family service providers. It increases the Montana Facility Finance Authority's bond issuance limit to $1.5 billion and adds a biennial inflation adjustment to that cap to maintain funding capacity over time. The legislation also updates legal definitions to clarify which types of facilities and entities qualify for these financing options, ensuring broader eligibility for community and economic development projects.
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 updates Montana laws governing how bond and mill levy elections are approved, primarily affecting counties, municipalities, and hospital districts. It allows certain bond measures to pass with a simple majority vote if they appear on a primary or general election ballot in an even-numbered year, while raising the voter turnout threshold from 30% to 35% for bonds that require 60% approval in other election types. The legislation also clarifies rules for municipalities seeking to exceed their standard tax levy limits and establishes specific voter turnout percentages that determine whether bond propositions are approved or rejected.
This bill consolidates two existing Montana state special revenue accounts related to school facilities funding and adjusts how coal severance tax money is distributed among various funds. It increases the amount of state aid available for major school maintenance projects without raising property taxes and updates rules for how earnings from these funds are transferred to support education and conservation programs. The legislation also revises statutes governing the state school technology payment and removes outdated language regarding the natural resource development payment, allowing it to support major maintenance aid and debt service assistance. These changes aim to streamline funding mechanisms and prioritize school facility programs while maintaining financial oversight through quarterly and monthly transfer schedules.
This bill (LC 958) authorizes a specific transfer of funds between two state education accounts to prevent funding cuts for public schools. It directs the state treasurer to move excess money from the School Facility and Technology Account to the School Major Maintenance Aid Account if the first account has sufficient funds to cover debt service without proration (funding cuts) and transferring funds would avoid proration in the second account. This directly affects Montana public schools that rely on these state funding streams for facility maintenance and technology. The provision ensures schools receive full funding by strategically reallocating existing resources within the state budget structure.
HB 8 approves specific renewable resource projects and reauthorizes others, enabling the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to provide loans for them. These loans are available to various political subdivisions and local governments for purposes such as dam rehabilitation and irrigation system improvements. To fund these projects, the bill authorizes the issuance of up to $121,198,444 in coal severance tax bonds. Loan disbursements are subject to conditions including DNRC approval of the project's scope and budget, and the execution of a loan agreement.
HB 650 revises state bonding laws by expanding the definition of "project" to include facilities that provide broadband service. This change allows municipalities and counties to issue bonds to fund projects aimed at delivering broadband services. Specifically, it targets areas where existing broadband speeds are below 100 megabits per second download and 20 megabits per second upload. The bill provides a mechanism for local governments to finance the development of high-speed internet infrastructure in underserved locations.
HB 515 revises state laws concerning funding for school facilities and technology, directly affecting school districts across the state. The bill consolidates two existing state special revenue accounts and increases the amount and multiplier in the state's major maintenance aid formula. These changes are intended to provide more funding to school districts for significant upkeep projects without impacting property taxpayers. Additionally, it revises statutes related to state school technology payments and allows natural resource development payments to support state major maintenance aid and debt service assistance.
SB 133 revises the laws governing impact fees that local governments charge on new development. The bill removes the ability for governmental entities to include an administrative fee within impact charges and limits impact fee increases to the rate of inflation. It also updates definitions related to these fees and details the required documentation for their calculation, such as a service area report.
