Education

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 121: Revise laws related to school and public library standards

This bill updates laws governing school and public library collections in Montana by prohibiting the exclusion or restriction of books based on their creator's background, views, or the material's ideological content. For school libraries, it requires trustees to establish a formal process for handling objections from students, parents, or staff, ensuring challenged materials remain available during review and mandating reports on outcomes to the state superintendent. Public libraries must adopt similar policies administered by the chief librarian, allowing restrictions only for practical reasons like shelf space, pedagogical concerns, or legal compliance, while also requiring challenge reports to be submitted to the state librarian. The legislation aims to create consistent, transparent procedures for managing library collections while protecting access to diverse viewpoints.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects educational access by prohibiting exclusion of books based on creator background or ideology, ensuring diverse materials remain available in school libraries.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 26, 2025

LC 4339: Authorize use of school chaplains in school districts and public charter schools

This bill allows Montana school districts and public charter schools to hire paid or volunteer chaplains to provide support services to students. Schools that choose to use chaplains must create a policy outlining the services offered, notify parents about availability, and obtain written consent before students participate. The bill requires chaplains to pass background checks, be at least 18 years old, and have good moral character, with their religious affiliations listed publicly on school websites. Additionally, schools may use chaplains to perform duties typically assigned to school counselors, and all chaplains must be certified by the state superintendent of public instruction. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands student support services by allowing chaplains, enhancing educational access and student welfare programs in schools75% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 17, 2025

LC 1052: Establish the Montana hunters and anglers community fund

This bill establishes the Montana Hunters and Anglers Community Fund, allowing hunters and anglers to donate an optional amount of $1 or more above their license fees to support rural communities. The Montana Department of Commerce will administer the fund, which can award grants to small communities, schools, and nonprofit organizations for projects like community improvements, food banks, and student activities. A seven-member review board, appointed by state officials and composed of hunters, anglers, and community advocates, will evaluate grant applications. The bill also creates a dedicated state account for the fund and sets rules prohibiting grants for political activities or entities involved in lawsuits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new funding mechanism for rural communities through voluntary donations, supporting local programs and services without increasing taxes.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allows funding for schools through grants for student activities, providing financial support to educational programs in rural communities.75% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 8, 2025

LC 294: Generally revise student data laws to enhance privacy

This bill updates Montana's student data laws to strengthen privacy protections within the statewide K-12 data system. It establishes a "right to be forgotten" allowing students and parents to request deletion of their education data, with specific exceptions for legal compliance, funding requirements, or contracts. The law requires the Office of Public Instruction to provide accessible methods for submitting deletion requests and mandates that data be removed within 45 days, with limited extension options. Additionally, the bill prohibits using Social Security numbers in any unique identifiers that link education and workforce data.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens student data privacy protections, enhancing educational access and safeguarding student information within K-12 systems85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens student data privacy protections and establishes deletion rights, directly supporting digital rights and data privacy within technology systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 28, 2025

LC 1777: Fund 6th graders in middle school at high school ANB rates along with 7th and 8th graders

This Montana bill changes how 6th graders in accredited middle schools are funded, raising their per-student funding rate to match that of 7th and 8th graders. Currently, 6th graders receive lower elementary school funding rates while their older middle school peers receive higher high school funding rates. The legislation amends state education code sections to redefine how "basic entitlement" is calculated for districts with accredited middle schools, ensuring 6th graders are counted at the same funding level as grades 7 and 8. This change applies to all Montana school districts that operate accredited middle schools and affects the state's school funding distribution system.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases per-student funding for 6th graders in middle schools to match 7th and 8th graders, strengthening education budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases per-student funding for 6th graders in middle schools to match 7th and 8th graders, directly strengthening school finance and educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Funding

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 11, 2025

LC 3189: Revise laws to reduce property taxes while preserving the current 95 school equalization mills

This bill modifies Montana's property tax and school funding laws to lower property taxes while maintaining the current 95 school equalization mills. It establishes fixed amounts for state and county school equalization mills and vocational-technical education mills, and exempts school levies from certain tax rate limitations. The legislation also increases guaranteed tax base multipliers for 2026, adjusts reimbursement rates for school transportation, and requires the Department of Revenue and Office of Public Instruction to report on how property reappraisals affect school funding. Additionally, it updates reappraisal schedules for certain property classes and mandates that taxpayers receive information about property tax trends in annual notices.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces property taxes while maintaining school funding levels, providing tax relief to property owners while protecting education services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill preserves 95 school equalization mills while reducing property taxes, maintaining school funding levels and protecting school finance mechanisms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax School Funding School Transportation

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 13, 2025

LC 1376: Generally revise laws relating to school facilities consolidating two existing state special revenue accounts

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state aid for school maintenance without raising property taxes and adjusts coal severance tax distribution to fund education programs, supporting fiscal management and public services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases state aid for school maintenance projects and adjusts coal severance tax distribution to support education funding without raising property taxes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 31, 2024

LC 2919: Establish education inflation reconciliation process

This bill establishes a new process for adjusting Montana K-12 school funding to account for inflation, directly affecting school districts and the state education budget. It requires the superintendent of public instruction to calculate annual funding increases using a specific formula based on the consumer price index, with adjustments capped at 3% per year. The legislation also mandates regular reports comparing actual inflation rates to the funding adjustments made, ensuring future adjustments correct any discrepancies. These changes take effect on July 1, 2025, and aim to align funding calculations with the state's definition of a basic system of free public schools.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes funding adjustment process for K-12 schools based on inflation, ensuring education budget keeps pace with economic changes and protects essential school services.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes inflation adjustment process for K-12 school funding, ensuring schools receive adequate financial increases to maintain purchasing power and operational capacity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 6, 2025

LC 653: Joint resolution to support shooting competition as a collegiate sport

This bill is a joint resolution that encourages the Montana University System to recognize shooting sports as official collegiate activities. It directly affects Montana colleges and universities by urging them to adopt shooting competitions, use university resources to support them, and create scholarships for students participating in these sports. The resolution encourages institutions to partner with external organizations and develop funding specifically for shooting sports programs. It does not mandate any changes but serves as a legislative recommendation to promote these activities within the state's higher education system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill encourages colleges to adopt shooting sports, create scholarships, and develop funding for student programs, expanding educational opportunities.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 4, 2025

LC 1917: Remove prohibition on certain compensation for collegiate student-athlete's name/image/likeness

This bill amends Montana law to allow colleges and athletic organizations to pay student-athletes for using their name, image, or likeness in commercial deals, while also protecting athletes from being penalized for signing such contracts. The legislation defines student-athlete rights to earn compensation from external sources and prohibits schools from restricting these rights or retaliating against athletes who exercise them. However, the bill explicitly prevents schools from paying athletes directly for their name, image, or likeness, though it allows schools to include clauses in scholarship agreements that grant the school permission to use the athlete's likeness for promotional purposes. The changes apply immediately upon passage and require athletes to disclose any commercial contracts to their institution's athletic officials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands student-athlete compensation rights and protects athletes from retaliation, enhancing educational access and student welfare in higher education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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