HB 645 requires individuals who gather signatures for statewide ballot issues in Montana to be both residents of Montana and registered Montana voters. It amends existing state law to mandate these qualifications for signature gatherers. Additionally, the bill updates the affidavit form that must be attached to each sheet of signatures, requiring the gatherer to swear they meet these residency and voter registration criteria.
HB 494 proposes to revise how Montana allocates its yearly tobacco settlement proceeds, effective July 1, 2025. This bill would change the distribution percentages between two state special revenue accounts. Currently, 32% of the proceeds fund statewide tobacco disease prevention programs, and 17% goes to the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). HB 494 would reverse these allocations, directing 17% to tobacco prevention and 32% to CHIP to secure federal matching funds.
HB 478 would allow organizations, such as churches and event hosts, to establish volunteer security teams. The bill outlines requirements for these organizations, including having an emergency action plan and conducting background checks for volunteers. Individuals serving on these teams must meet specific eligibility criteria, such as holding a concealed weapon permit or firearms certification and completing regular training. It also grants civil immunity to volunteer security team members during a declared emergency at an organization's event or property.
HB 579 would have required local governments, such as cities, counties, and irrigation districts, to establish and continually fund capital reserve accounts. To be eligible for grants and loans from programs like the Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program, these local governments would need to deposit either 10% of certain water-related revenues or $5 per acre-foot for specific dam owners into these accounts. The funds in these accounts could only be used for infrastructure projects with an estimated cost of at least $50,000. This bill would also have made a local government's ability to fund these capital reserve accounts a consideration in prioritizing financial assistance.
HB 942 proposes to establish a new child income tax credit for resident taxpayers. This bill would provide a refundable credit of $1,000 for each qualifying child aged 5 or younger. To claim the credit, taxpayers must have proof of earned income and a valid social security number for each child. The credit amount would be reduced for taxpayers with federal adjusted gross income exceeding $35,000 for single filers or $65,000 for married couples filing jointly. Both the credit amount and the income thresholds would be adjusted annually for inflation, applying to income tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.
HB 754 aimed to revise laws related to child abuse and neglect. The bill would have prohibited using a parent's opposition to their child's gender transition as evidence or a factor in child abuse and neglect proceedings. Conversely, it mandated that a child transitioning gender with the support of a parent or guardian be considered in immediate danger, requiring their emergency removal from the home by child protection specialists. These changes would have directly affected children, parents, and child protection services.
This bill proposes changes to Montana's capital gains tax structure, which would affect taxpayers earning income from investments such as stocks or real estate. Under the proposed changes, net long-term capital gains would be taxed at lower rates of 3.0% or 4.1% for income up to certain thresholds, while income exceeding $1 million for joint filers or $500,000 for other filers would be taxed at the standard rate of 5.9%. The bill also includes provisions to adjust tax brackets annually for inflation and defines specific income thresholds that determine how capital gains are taxed. The legislation would take effect on January 1, 2026, though it did not advance further in the legislative process before its deadline.
House Bill 604, also known as the "Work Protection Act," aims to establish statewide uniformity by prohibiting local governments from creating or administering guaranteed income programs. The bill defines a guaranteed income program as one providing regular, unearned cash payments to individuals for any purpose, excluding programs requiring work or training. It prevents political subdivisions, such as counties and cities, from adopting related ordinances or rules. The Attorney General is authorized to issue cease and desist orders and pursue legal action against any local government that violates this prohibition.
HB 383 aims to increase transparency in campaign finance reporting. It mandates that the state's electronic campaign reporting system provide a unique web address (URL) for every file, report, and search result it maintains. This provision would allow for direct linking and easier access to specific pieces of campaign finance data for the public.
HB 755 sought to prohibit certain non-resident aliens and foreign entities from owning real property within the state. The bill defined "alien" as any person not a U.S. citizen or national and not a resident of the state, and "foreign entity" as one organized or principally based in a foreign country. If an affected individual or entity owned property, they would be required to divest within six months, after which the property could be sold at public auction. The Attorney General or county attorney would have been able to enforce these provisions, which were set to apply to property purchased on or after January 1, 2026.
HB 609 sought to establish the criminal offense of "abortion trafficking." It would prohibit any person from purposely or knowingly transporting an unborn child from Montana, either within or outside the state, to obtain an abortion that is illegal under Montana law. Individuals convicted of this offense could face fines up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both. The bill also included a provision allowing penalties to be imposed against the mother of an unborn child for violating this specific trafficking offense, which is an exception to general prohibitions against penalizing women for abortion-related acts.
HJ 24 was a joint resolution from the Montana Legislature expressing full support for the State of Utah in its legal dispute with the United States government. Utah is challenging the federal policy of perpetually retaining unappropriated public lands within its borders, arguing it is unconstitutional and limits state sovereignty. The resolution also highlights Montana's similar concerns regarding federal land ownership within its own state. It urged Utah to continue seeking a judgment against the federal government's land retention policies, despite the Supreme Court denying an initial motion. This resolution died in the legislative process.
