HB 912 proposes creating a new secure forensic facility in Montana, overseen by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. This facility would provide care, treatment, and security for up to 70 individuals involved in the legal system due to mental illness, including those needing competency restoration or forensic evaluations. The bill allocates $60 million from the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Fund to plan, construct, and equip this facility, while also expanding the fund's uses to support new behavioral health infrastructure.
HB 174 aimed to revise laws related to assault by expanding its definition. The bill proposed that a person commits assault if they purposely or knowingly provide specific dangerous drugs, alcohol, or other listed substances, such as rohypnol, to another individual without their consent. This change would affect individuals who administer these substances without permission. The bill included exemptions for authorized medical providers, guardians, and the administration of opioid overdose reversal medications like naloxone.
This Montana bill (HB 465) would have revised foreclosure rules for property liens by requiring contractors or service providers to file a specific "notice of action" within 90 days after a 2-year deadline for foreclosure lawsuits. If this notice wasn't filed, the lien would automatically expire, directly affecting contractors seeking payment and homeowners facing lien claims. The bill focused on clarifying procedural requirements for foreclosure actions under existing law (Section 71-3-562, MCA). It died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.
HB 301 changes when property owners must file claims for damage to their land. It sets the start date for the legal time limit as when the damaging act finishes AND the owner knows or should know about the injury. This means the clock begins running immediately upon these conditions, not later when damage is discovered. If a claim isn't filed within this period, it is permanently barred for both the current owner and all future owners of the property.
HB 827 aimed to revise the taxation of Social Security benefits at the state level in Montana. The bill proposed to modify how the federal calculation for taxing Social Security benefits is applied when determining an individual's state income tax. This change would have directly affected Montana residents receiving Social Security benefits by potentially altering the portion of those benefits subject to state income tax. The bill included provisions for a delayed effective and applicability date.
HB 742 revises local government nuisance laws in Montana. For county-level community decay complaints, it establishes a new requirement: at least three property owners located within one-fourth of a mile from the property must file a complaint before a county officer can conduct a site inspection. The bill also clarifies the definition of a public nuisance for cities and towns, specifying it as a condition that interferes with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property by an entire community or a significant number of persons. This bill affects local governments, property owners, and citizens reporting nuisances.
HB 926 proposed revising state finance laws by directing the state treasurer to transfer all unobligated funds from the debt and liability free account. These funds would primarily be moved into the coal severance tax permanent fund. A key provision stipulated that if Senate Bill No. 90 did not pass, these funds would instead be transferred to the Montana school facilities fund. The bill also included a small appropriation of $100 from the general fund to the Department of Revenue for implementation.
HB 839 proposes a new $500 income tax credit for certain long-time residents of the state. To qualify, a taxpayer must have resided in the state for the prior 10 years, defined as at least 7 months per year, and have an income less than $100,000. This credit is non-refundable and cannot be carried forward to other tax years. If enacted, it would apply to income tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.
HB 906 amends existing Montana property tax rebate laws to provide financial relief to homeowners by increasing rebate amounts for principal residences occupied in 2022 and 2023. The bill allows eligible taxpayers who owned and lived in their homes for at least seven months during those years to receive up to $319 for 2022 and $330 for 2023, or the full amount of taxes paid if it is less than those limits. Property owners must submit claims electronically or by mail between August 15 and October 1 each year, and the state will mail notices to potential claimants by June 30 of the following year. The legislation also clarifies definitions for principal residences and outlines procedures for handling claims from deceased taxpayers or those in revocable trusts.
HB 747 permits day-care centers that care for children under one year of age or those at higher risk of severe illness from communicable diseases to adopt a policy regarding whether they accept children with certain immunization exemptions. The bill requires these day-care centers to notify parents or guardians if such a policy is adopted. This allows specific day-care centers to determine their own stance on accepting children with exemptions from required immunizations, impacting both the centers and families seeking childcare.
HB 874 aimed to provide property tax rebates for certain residential properties owned by entities, such as trusts, that did not receive past rebates. The bill allowed these entities to claim up to $500 for property taxes paid in 2022 and up to $500 for property taxes paid in 2023. To qualify, the property must have been a principal residence, and claims needed to be submitted by October 1, 2025. The bill also extended the program's termination date to June 30, 2026.
HB 640 would revise the Firefighters' Unified Retirement System (FURS) to allow certain airport authority employees to participate. The bill defines "public safety officer" as an airport authority employee who serves as both a full-paid firefighter and a sworn peace officer. It would permit airport authorities to elect to join FURS for these public safety officers, who are currently covered by the Public Employees' Retirement System. Existing eligible employees would have 90 days to choose whether to remain in PERS or join FURS.
