Education

signed · Montana · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 260: Revise teacher stipends for national board certification

HB 260 revises the professional stipends paid to Montana teachers who hold a current National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification. The bill changes the stipend amounts from fixed dollar values to percentages of the state's quality educator payment, effectively providing an annual adjustment. Eligible full-time teachers in public schools, education cooperatives, and certain state facilities will receive a stipend of 50% of the quality educator payment, with those in high-poverty or impacted schools receiving 85%. The bill also adjusts the state's contribution percentages towards these stipends.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases teacher stipends by linking to quality educator payment percentage, strengthening financial support for certified educators.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 211: Revise emergency use of epinephrine in school setting to include nasal spray

SB 211 revises the emergency use of epinephrine in school settings. The bill expands the definition of "medication" that students with asthma, severe allergies, or anaphylaxis can possess and self-administer to include epinephrine nasal spray. It also allows public and nonpublic schools to maintain a stock supply of epinephrine nasal spray, in addition to autoinjectable epinephrine, for emergency administration by school nurses or other authorized personnel. These changes provide schools with additional options for responding to severe allergic reactions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands school emergency medical protocols for student health, enhancing safety and access to care within educational settings.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands emergency epinephrine access in schools for allergic reactions, improving patient safety and access to critical healthcare services in educational settings.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

in committee · Montana · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 512: Require seat belts on newly purchased school buses

HB 512 mandates that all new school buses purchased on or after January 1, 2026, must be equipped with lap-shoulder belts for each passenger. School districts using these buses would be required to adopt and enforce a seat belt usage policy and ensure belts are properly maintained. The bill provides exceptions for school districts that cannot afford such buses, following a public vote. Additionally, it limits the liability of the state, counties, and school districts in personal injury cases where passengers fail to use or improperly use the belts, provided an enforceable policy is in place.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates seat belts on new school buses, improving student safety in school transportation infrastructure, a direct educational safety measure.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates seat belts on school buses, directly enhancing vehicle safety standards within Transportation regulations as specified in bill subjects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 28: Clarify timelines and opening procedures for public charter schools

HB 28 clarifies operational rules for Montana's public charter schools, directly affecting new and existing charter schools and the Board of Public Education. It specifies that timeline requirements (like proposal deadlines) count as business days, exempts approved charters from standard school opening rules, and changes first-year funding: charter schools won't receive per-pupil "per-anb" funding, and basic funding will be based on planned enrollment with potential clawbacks if actual enrollment falls short. The bill also requires the Board to report charter school status to the Office of Public Instruction and county superintendents, and mandates annual performance reports comparing charter school outcomes to traditional public schools. These changes aim to streamline the charter school approval and funding process while ensuring accountability.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationEliminates guaranteed per-pupil funding for charter schools and introduces enrollment-based clawbacks, restricting financial support for charter schools.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 24: Clarify laws related to kindergarten

HB 24 clarifies Montana's kindergarten instructional hour requirements, directly affecting public school districts and kindergarten programs. It specifies that half-time kindergarten must provide 360 hours and full-time kindergarten 720 hours annually, aligning with existing sections of Montana law (20-1-301, 20-7-117). The bill amends related statutes to ensure these hour requirements are explicitly defined for funding and compliance purposes. Signed into law by the Governor on April 7, 2025, it establishes clear standards for kindergarten programming without altering funding formulas or creating new penalties.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies kindergarten hour requirements for funding compliance, ensuring proper allocation of school funds per statutory requirements.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 18: Deposit non-levy revenue in school equalization and property tax relief account

HB 18 redirects all revenue from bentonite mining taxes (collected after December 31, 2014) to a dedicated "school equalization and property tax relief account" instead of previous distribution rules. Specifically, 20.75% of this tax revenue must now fund school districts and reduce local property taxes, as amended in sections 15-39-110 and 20-9-331 of Montana law. The bill directly affects mineral producers who pay the tax and school districts that receive funding through the new account. This change applies to all bentonite mining revenue collected after 2014, shifting funds from prior county and state allocations to the equalization account.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects mining tax revenue to fund schools and reduce property taxes, directly providing tax relief and increasing school funding per bill's title and summary.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects 20.75% of bentonite mining tax revenue to school districts for funding and property tax relief, directly increasing school district resources per Montana law amendments.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Montana · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 118: Revise the Montana interstate compact on educational opportunities for military children

HB 118 revises Montana's participation in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (Section 20-1-230, MCA). It clarifies the Compact Commission's authority to set annual assessments based on the number of military-connected students in Montana and updates references to U.S. Code. The bill directly affects military children (K-12) and their families moving between states, as well as Montana schools and education agencies. Key mechanisms include standardizing enrollment processes, ensuring seamless transfer of education records, and supporting placement without disadvantage due to frequent moves or deployments. The changes aim to remove barriers to educational continuity for military-connected students across state lines.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies enrollment processes for military children to ensure educational continuity, enhancing access and support for this student group within K-12 education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Montana · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 15: Implement K-12 Inflation

HB 15 updates Montana's K-12 school funding formula to adjust for inflation by increasing specific dollar amounts annually. It directly affects all public school districts in Montana by raising base funding rates for high schools, elementary schools, and K-12 programs, including per-pupil payments for American Indian students and other targeted programs. Key provisions include annual increases for basic entitlements (e.g., $343,483 to $375,333 for high school districts by 2026) and adjustments to payments like the American Indian achievement gap ($235 to $256 per student). The bill amends existing law to ensure funding keeps pace with rising costs, effective starting with the 2024 fiscal year. The legislation was signed into law by the Governor on April 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases K-12 school funding via annual inflation adjustments, directly advancing state budget allocation for public education through higher base entitlements.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases K-12 funding annually to adjust for inflation, preventing real-term cuts and maintaining base funding rates for all public school districts including targeted programs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

signed · Montana · House Mar 27, 2025

HB 300: Generally revise laws related to discrimination in education

HB 300 amends Montana law to prohibit educational institutions from allowing male students to participate in athletic programs designated for females or failing to provide access to gender-specific facilities like restrooms and locker rooms. It directly affects Montana schools and colleges by requiring compliance with these specific anti-discrimination rules. Key provisions include banning male participation in female sports teams and mandating access to facilities separated by sex, while allowing exceptions for emergencies, medical needs, ADA accommodations, and single-occupancy spaces. The law also clarifies that students may use another student's legal name or refer to their sex without violating the policy. This bill became effective after Governor's signature on March 27, 2025.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBans male participation in female sports teams and mandates gender-specific facilities, restricting athletic access for transgender and non-binary students in educational settings.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Education

passed both · Montana · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SJ 7: Joint resolution to support shooting competition as a collegiate sport

Senate Joint Resolution 7 is a non-binding resolution urging Montana's universities to support shooting sports as collegiate activities. It encourages the Montana University System to adopt shooting sports (such as trap, skeet, rifle, and pistol competitions) as intercollegiate sports, use university resources to facilitate these programs, and develop scholarships for student competitors. The resolution highlights Montana's tradition of firearm use and notes that current lack of such programs causes students to seek opportunities elsewhere. It does not create new laws or funding but serves as a policy recommendation to university leaders.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill encourages Montana universities to adopt shooting sports as collegiate activities and develop scholarships, enhancing student programs in higher education. Aligns with 'enhances student programs' indicator for support.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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