Education

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 182: Generally revise MT Indian language preservation program

SB 182 revises the Montana Indian language preservation program to strengthen the state's commitment to preserving American Indian cultural integrity and languages. The bill provides greater flexibility for Montana tribes to partner with various educational entities, including public, nonpublic, and tribal schools, and postsecondary institutions. It encourages integrating program efforts with school district immersion programs and emphasizes collaborative professional development and the use of existing tribal language materials. The Office of Public Instruction administers the program, distributing funds equally to participating tribal governments who submit applications detailing their language preservation strategies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill integrates language preservation with school curricula and partnerships, enhancing educational access and cultural curriculum in K-12 and higher ed through tribal-school collaborations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

vetoed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 462: Encourage academic excellence through high-quality instructional materials

HB 462 aimed to enhance academic excellence by revising education laws related to curriculum and instruction. It would have established a process for the Superintendent of Public Instruction, in collaboration with a committee and an external nonprofit partner, to identify and recommend high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) during content standard revisions. Contingent on legislative funding, the bill would have provided reduced-cost access to these recommended HQIM and aligned professional development for school districts choosing to adopt them. This initiative sought to support teachers and improve curriculum for students across the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes process to identify/recommend high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) and provides reduced-cost access, directly enhancing curriculum quality and educational access per topic description.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 567: Revise education laws related to multidistrict agreements

HB 567 revises education laws to increase flexibility for school districts to enter into "multidistrict agreements" for jointly funding and operating programs and services. These agreements allow two or more districts to share resources, staff, and services, and can now include private entities. Beginning in 2027, the bill offers a 50% increase in the total quality educator payment to school districts that establish comprehensive countywide multidistrict agreements encompassing all districts in a county. The aim is to enhance efficiency and resource sharing among districts across various functions like administration, instruction, and special education, without increasing local taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state funding via 50% educator payment boost for districts with countywide agreements, directly advancing school finance within state budget allocations.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides 50% increased funding for districts with countywide agreements, enhancing resource sharing and educator support through expanded multidistrict collaboration.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 181: Generally revise Indian education for all laws

SB 181 generally revises Montana's Indian Education for All laws to strengthen the state's commitment to preserving American Indian cultural integrity. The bill requires all certified school personnel and students to receive instruction in American Indian studies, emphasizing tribal consultation and the use of Indian language and cultural specialists. It places additional accountability and reporting requirements on the Board of Public Education, the Office of Public Instruction, and school districts, particularly regarding the financial oversight of state funds for these programs. This legislation aims to improve the delivery and accountability of American Indian education across Montana's public education system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires all school staff/students to receive American Indian studies instruction, strengthening cultural curriculum integration and accountability per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 278: Revise education laws to support advanced opportunities

SB 278 revises education laws to enhance "advanced opportunities" for qualifying students in grades 6-12. The bill establishes and defines "Advanced Opportunity Facilitators" to coordinate learning opportunities between school districts, students, families, and external organizations. School districts employing these facilitators can use a portion of their existing Advanced Opportunity Aid to pay them and receive additional Quality Educator Payments for these positions. This aims to support individualized pathways for career and postsecondary educational success for students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes Advanced Opportunity Facilitators, uses existing aid + adds payments to expand access for grades 6-12, directly enhancing educational opportunities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

vetoed · Montana · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 258: Revise school funding laws to clarify the legislature's authority related to inflationary adjustments

SB 258 clarifies the state legislature's authority regarding how public school funding is adjusted for inflation. It amends existing law that outlines how the Superintendent of Public Instruction calculates an annual inflation factor for various school entitlements, which is capped at 3%. This bill explicitly states that the legislature can, through its appropriation and lawmaking authority, provide inflationary adjustments that differ from these standard calculations and may exceed the 3% cap. This affects the financial resources allocated to public schools across the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves 3% cap on inflation adjustments, enabling potential increases in school funding authority per legislative discretion.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 359: Generally revise TRS laws on when retired teachers can return to work after retirement

HB 359 revises the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) laws concerning retired teachers returning to work. It temporarily reduces the required break-in-service period for retired teachers from 150 to 120 days if they retired on or after January 1, 2024. The bill also creates an exception, allowing retired teachers to work for up to 45 days during this break-in-service period specifically to mentor new teachers. These provisions, which also extend existing temporary rules, are effective until June 30, 2029, after which the previous requirements will apply.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill facilitates retired teachers mentoring new educators by reducing break-in-service period, supporting teacher development and retention in schools.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 573: Revise transformational learning laws to create a phase II grant program

HB 573 revises laws related to "transformational learning" in Montana's public schools. The bill moves up the termination of the existing transformational learning grant program by one year and establishes a new Transformational Learning Phase II Grant Program. This new program offers incentives and flexibilities for school districts to implement personalized, proficiency-based learning systems. Districts must apply with strategic plans and proficiency definitions, with the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Board of Public Education overseeing the program's administration and qualification process, which includes a lottery system if funds are limited.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a new Phase II grant program with incentives for personalized, proficiency-based learning systems in K-12 schools, advancing educational innovation through funding and strategic planning requirements.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 349: Revise TRS laws related to reemployment

HB 349 establishes a temporary program allowing certain retired members of the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) to return to full-time work for the Superintendent of Public Instruction without losing their retirement benefits. To be eligible, retired teachers must have been receiving benefits for at least two months, have 27 or more years of service, and the Superintendent must certify an inability to find a non-retired qualified applicant for the position. These reemployed retirees can work for a maximum of five years and are exempt from standard earnings limits for retirees. The Superintendent of Public Instruction, as the employer, is required to make contributions to the TRS for these individuals. This act is effective immediately and terminates on June 30, 2031.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables experienced retired teachers to return to K-12 roles without losing benefits, supporting educator retention and school staffing needs.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows eligible retired teachers to return to full-time work without losing retirement benefits, expanding access to employment while preserving worker benefits.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 338: Revise laws regarding targeted early numeracy intervention

HB 338 revises Montana laws related to early education interventions for students. The bill expands the focus of these targeted support programs to include early numeracy (math skills) in addition to early literacy (reading skills). It also provides greater flexibility in evaluating children to determine their eligibility for these interventions and updates related reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands early education interventions to include numeracy (math) alongside literacy, strengthening program scope and support for K-12 students.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education