This bill revises how Montana's lodging facility use tax revenue is distributed to local governments. It creates two new accounts: one for county roads and infrastructure (funded by lodging taxes) and another for municipal roads and infrastructure. County funds are distributed based on each county's share of the previous year's tax collection, with a minimum of 0.5% and maximum of 8% per county. Municipal funds are distributed based on population (with small towns counted as having 200 residents), capped at 8% per city or town. The bill directly affects all Montana counties and cities/towns that collect lodging taxes.
This bill creates the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust to manage volatile state tax revenue. It requires annual transfers of half of unpredictable tax revenue (like capital gains) into the trust starting in 2027. The trust’s interest earnings are split: half funds five specific state accounts (disaster relief, property tax relief, water development, bridge repairs, and early childhood programs), each receiving up to $15 million yearly, while the other half is reinvested into pension funds and housing infrastructure loans. The bill directly affects state budget operations and provides dedicated funding streams for local government services, housing, and early childhood programs.
This bill amends Montana law to allow motorboats to tow people on waterskis or similar devices between sunset and sunrise, provided the vessel and person being towed are properly illuminated as defined by new rules from the fish and wildlife commission. It directly affects boaters and watersports participants who currently cannot engage in these activities during nighttime hours under existing rules. The key mechanism requires the commission to develop safety rules for proper illumination, with $1,000 appropriated for rule development and public education. The bill removes the blanket nighttime ban while adding a safety requirement, rather than creating new restrictions.
Montana's Bill LC 2474 prohibits overnight camping (between dusk and dawn) and storing personal property on state highway right-of-way, including roads, shoulders, ditches, and adjacent areas. It directly affects individuals who camp or leave belongings unattended overnight on highways, with exceptions for emergencies, authorized workers, and designated rest areas (max 24 hours). Enforcement allows law enforcement to issue 72-hour removal notices, impose $50 civil fines for non-compliance, and dispose of unattended property after 120 hours' notice. The bill includes a $15,000 appropriation for implementation and defines key terms like "campsite" and "right-of-way" to clarify scope.
This bill (LC 3836) proposed establishing a state-run infrastructure revolving loan program to provide low-interest financing for public infrastructure projects. It would have directly affected local governments and public entities seeking funding for roads, water systems, or other community infrastructure. However, the bill was assigned to a drafter in December 2024, placed on hold in January 2025, and ultimately died in process by May 2025 without advancing to committee or floor consideration. No specific provisions or mechanisms were enacted, as the bill never progressed beyond the drafting stage.
This bill (LC 1145) proposed establishing ongoing transfers from the state's General Fund to support infrastructure projects and pension funding, unless specific fiscal conditions were met. It aimed to create a sustained funding mechanism for these priorities without requiring annual legislative approval. However, the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as it was placed on hold in November 2024 and ultimately died in process by May 2025. No further action or implementation occurred.
This bill proposed redirecting funds from an existing coal trust to support school and local government infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and school facilities. It would have required the state to deposit specific coal trust funds into a designated account for these purposes. However, the bill was placed on hold in November 2024 and later died in committee without advancing further. No actual policy changes were implemented, as the bill never became law.
This bill (LC 1913) proposed revisions to the legal framework governing improvement districts, which are local government entities that fund infrastructure projects like roads or utilities through assessments on property owners. The bill was drafted in November 2024 but never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as it was placed on hold and ultimately "died in process" by May 27, 2025. No specific provisions or affected groups are documented in the provided context, as the bill did not progress to committee review or floor action. Therefore, no concrete policy changes or mechanisms were established. The bill's status remains inactive with no further legislative action recorded.
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Local Government
SB 533 would establish a $5 non-transferable "Nonambulatory Motorized Recreation Pass" for people with permanent mobility disabilities to use motorized equipment (like wheelchairs) on state-managed recreational trails and roads. It requires medical certification from a physician, classifies all public trails into three accessibility categories (Class I: fully accessible, Class II: partially accessible, Class III: inaccessible), and mandates the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to post trail classifications. Violations like using equipment without the pass would incur fines up to $250. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.
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People with Disabilities
SB 228 revises laws related to public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, affecting EV owners and charging station operators. The bill imposes a 3-cent per kilowatt-hour tax on electricity delivered to public charging stations, with specific effective dates for new and existing stations. It mandates that all public charging stations install a separate electric meter, with the owner responsible for installation costs. Additionally, the bill eliminates a future 30% reduction in state registration fees for electric vehicles. Public charging station operators are also required to register with the state and disclose their charging rates.
