SB 287 Montana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Generally revise state finance laws

SB 287 creates the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust to manage volatile state revenues, including transferring funds to new specialized accounts like Montana Water Development, Better Local Bridges, and Early Childhood. It modifies property tax assistance by requiring homeowners to certify primary residences (with penalties for false claims) and directing county credits to eligible homeowners. The bill establishes rules for distributing trust interest income to state accounts, limits volatile revenue transfers during budget deficits, and revises pension fund transfers. These changes directly affect state finance agencies, local governments, and homeowners applying for property tax credits. The bill also creates a Montana Housing Trust and updates reporting requirements for state funds.

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Failed

Apr 2025

Governor

Introduced Feb 7, 2025 Last action May 23, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB0287_2(8).pdf → SB0287_3.pdf · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill text was updated from version 2 to version 3, which includes significant substantive changes to the bill's title and scope. The new version expands the legislation to create multiple new state funds (including a Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust and a Montana Housing Trust) and establishes new accounts for volatile revenue and pension funding. It also introduces a new Montana Water Development account and a Better Local Bridge account, while transferring authority for housing loans from the Coal Tax Trust Fund to the new Growth and Opportunity Trust. Additionally, the bill now includes provisions for property tax assistance distributed as credits to primary residences and establishes an appeals process for certification of those residences.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from primarily revising state finance laws and the Debt and Liability Free Account to creating a comprehensive new framework involving multiple new state trusts, accounts, and property tax assistance programs.

SCOPE

The bill title was expanded to include the creation of the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust, a Montana Housing Trust, a Montana Water Development account, and a Better Local Bridge account.

New sections establish a Montana Early Childhood Account, Board, and Funding mechanism.

FISCAL

Authority to transfer housing loans was moved from the Coal Tax Trust Fund to the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust.

The bill now includes provisions for limiting transfers of volatile revenue when a general fund deficit is certified or an operating reserve is estimated at a certain amount.

ELIGIBILITY

New provisions require the Department of Revenue to certify primary residences for property tax assistance and establish an appeals process for this certification.

REQUIREMENT

The bill now requires the Department of Revenue to provide specific notices regarding property tax assistance programs and valuation changes to property owners.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 4, 2025 · House Apr 24, 2025

How they voted

27–22

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 50

Apr 4, 2025

D Democratic18

18 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican32

9 Yea 22 Nay 1

68% Nay

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 24, 2025

Vote failed

House Vote: fail (50-50)

house

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

(H) Committee Report - (H) Appropriations

lower

Apr 22, 2025

Lower · Passed

(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Appropriations

lower

Apr 16, 2025

Committee

(H) Rereferred to Committee - (H) Appropriations

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

(H) Committee Report - (H) State Administration

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) State Administration

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Committee

(H) Referred to Committee - (H) State Administration

lower

Apr 4, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (27-22-1)

senate

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

(S) Committee Report - (S) Finance and Claims

upper

Apr 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Finance and Claims

upper

Mar 7, 2025

Committee

(S) Rereferred to Committee - (S) Finance and Claims

upper

Mar 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

(S) Committee Report - (S) State Administration

upper

Mar 1, 2025

Upper · Passed

(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) State Administration

upper

Feb 10, 2025

Committee

(S) Referred to Committee - (S) State Administration

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Introduced

(S) Introduced

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors