Education (Higher Education)

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 412: Provide for fee waivers of government documents to former foster children

Senate Bill 412 provides fee waivers for certain government documents for individuals who were formerly in foster care and are under 21 years of age. This includes fees for certified birth certificates, driver's licenses, state identification cards, and replacement licenses. Fees for university academic transcripts are also waived, with the Department of Public Health and Human Services authorized to seek federal funds to reimburse the institutions. Individuals can provide an oral attestation to prove eligibility for these waivers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationWaives university transcript fees for former foster youth, enhancing higher education access as part of educational support for vulnerable students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Tags Children

died · Montana · House Feb 22, 2025

HB 282: Revise laws related to tuition waiver laws for American Indian students

HB 282 would have amended Montana's tuition waiver law to require tribal certification for descendants of federally recognized tribes seeking tuition waivers. Specifically, it would have added a requirement that descendants provide a certificate of descendancy issued by their tribe to qualify for waivers under Section 20-25-421(2)(c)(i). This change would directly affect American Indian students who are descendants of Montana tribes but not enrolled members, as they would need formal tribal verification to access the waiver. The bill was withdrawn before becoming law on February 22, 2025.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationAdds tribal certification requirement, restricting access to tuition waivers for non-enrolled American Indian students, limiting educational funding access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 771: Revise university system laws to remove barriers to freshmen living off campus

HB 771 aimed to revise university housing policies for the Montana University System. It would have prevented universities from requiring students to live on campus if they live with an immediate family member whose principal residence is within a one-hour drive of the campus. Students could be required to submit a form confirming their off-campus residence with a parent, guardian, grandparent, aunt/uncle, or adult sibling. Universities would have had two business days to approve or deny such requests, provided the student met the specified conditions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves housing barrier for university students, expanding access to higher education within Montana University System.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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died · Montana · Legislature May 24, 2025

LC 1221: Address food security on college campuses

This bill (LC 1221) aimed to address food insecurity among college students by requiring public institutions to establish campus food pantries and coordinate with local hunger relief organizations. It would have directly affected public college students and campus administrators by mandating these support systems. However, the bill never progressed beyond the drafting stage, with its draft placed on hold in December 2024 and ultimately "died in process" in May 2025. No specific provisions or mechanisms were finalized, as the proposal was abandoned before committee review. The bill remains a proposed measure with no enacted policy changes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates public colleges to establish food pantries addressing student food insecurity, directly enhancing educational access and support systems for higher education students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Health

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1724: Eliminate sunset on the Montana university system six mill levy

This bill (LC 1724) proposed to remove the expiration date ("sunset") for a specific property tax levy funding Montana's public universities. The "six mill levy" refers to a $6 tax per $1,000 of assessed property value paid by homeowners and businesses to support university operations. The bill would have made this tax permanent, ensuring ongoing funding for the university system without needing future legislative approval to extend it. The bill died in the legislative process on May 27, 2025, and never became law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes property tax levy permanent for university funding, ensuring ongoing state revenue allocation to public higher education without sunset expiration.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill eliminates sunset on property tax levy funding Montana's public universities, ensuring permanent financial support for higher education institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Higher Education

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 3469: Develop a principal mentor program in partnership with universities

This bill (LC 3469) proposed creating a formal mentorship program pairing school principals with university partners to support their professional development. It aimed to directly affect school principals by connecting them with university-based mentors for guidance and training. The key mechanism would have established partnerships between school districts and universities to design and implement the mentorship structure. However, the bill died in committee on May 27, 2025, and was never enacted into law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a principal mentor program with universities for professional development, directly supporting educational leadership in K-12 schools as part of school improvement efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 669: Revise laws related to educating children receiving in-state inpatient treatment of serious emotional disturbances

HB 669 revises laws concerning educational programs for children receiving in-state inpatient treatment for serious emotional disturbances, directly affecting these children, their school districts, and qualifying treatment facilities. The bill authorizes the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to contract with facilities to deliver these educational programs, establishing a daily rate for services based on actual costs. Funding responsibility is shared, with the SPI paying the facility the daily rate minus a contribution from the child's school district of residence. It also clarifies the SPI's rulemaking authority for tuition calculations and outlines alternative methods for providing education if a facility fails to offer appropriate programs or contract with the state.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes SPI to contract for educational programs for inpatient treatment children, establishing funding mechanisms to ensure access to education for this vulnerable group.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes funding for educational programs tied to mental health treatment for children with serious emotional disturbances, ensuring access to care during inpatient treatment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Mental Health

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

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1444: Authorize university system to establish proficiency-based model schools

This bill (LC 1444) proposed authorizing the state university system to create proficiency-based model schools, which would focus on student mastery of skills rather than traditional seat-time requirements. It would have directly affected public universities and students enrolled in those institutions by changing how educational progress is measured. However, the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as its draft was officially marked "Died in Process" on May 26, 2025. No concrete policy changes were enacted, as the legislation was abandoned before committee review.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill authorizes proficiency-based model schools focusing on student mastery over seat time, a progressive educational reform directly addressing curriculum innovation in higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 3150: Increase funding for higher education

This bill (LC 3150) proposed increasing state funding for higher education institutions. However, it died in the legislative process on May 27, 2025, without advancing to a vote or becoming law. The provided context does not include details about the specific funding amount, allocation methods, or which institutions would have been directly affected. No further provisions or mechanisms were documented in the available information. As a draft that did not progress, it did not result in any concrete policy change.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly proposes increasing state funding for higher education, directly advancing budget appropriations for public education. Intent clear despite legislative failure.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly proposes increasing state funding for higher education institutions, directly aligning with 'support' indicators of funding advancement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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