Montana Bills

HB 854 would have established a refundable income tax credit for Montana taxpayers who purchase a federal firearm suppressor tax stamp. The credit aimed to offset the cost of one such stamp, providing up to $50 or the actual stamp cost, whichever was less. This credit would have been available in the tax year the stamp was purchased, starting January 1, 2026, and terminating December 31, 2027. The bill's stated purpose was to encourage citizen safety by helping to prevent long-term hearing damage.

HB 243 proposed a new state income tax credit for qualified volunteer emergency first responders. This credit would apply to individuals providing active, uncompensated volunteer service as firefighters, EMTs, auxiliary officers, or search and rescue volunteers. The credit amount would be the lesser of $15 per hour of service or $1,500 annually. If the credit exceeds a taxpayer's liability, the excess amount would be refunded. The bill's stated purpose was to retain existing volunteers and recruit new ones, with an applicability date for income tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

HB 843 aimed to establish a Montana emergency solutions grant to help individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It proposed appropriating $1 million annually for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 from the state's general fund to the Department of Public Health and Human Services. These funds would supplement federal emergency solutions grants for rapid re-housing assistance. The bill would have allowed for rental assistance up to 150% of the fair market rent for program participants with incomes below 80% of the area median income.

House Bill 286 aims to revise election laws by requiring the Secretary of State to verify the United States citizenship status of both registered electors and new voter applicants. The bill mandates the Secretary of State to determine the citizenship status of current electors, categorize them as U.S. citizen, undetermined, or non-U.S. citizen, and alert those with undetermined status to provide proof of citizenship. It requires the removal of individuals determined to have non-U.S. citizenship from the voter list. New voter applicants would also be required to provide documentary proof of United States citizenship as part of their registration process.

HB 842 proposed a legislative referendum for Montana voters to decide on establishing a statewide sales tax. If approved by voters, this bill would allow the legislature to enact a sales tax not exceeding 4%. The revenue generated from this sales tax would be exclusively used to reduce property taxes that fund public schools and the Montana university system. The proposed sales tax would apply to final goods and services but include exemptions for necessities such as housing, groceries, fuel, health care, and utilities. The bill was to be submitted to qualified electors at the November 2026 general election for approval.

HB 314 proposed creating a State Energy Authority to help develop Montana's energy resources and improve electricity transmission within the state and regionally. This authority would consist of 14 members appointed by the governor, representing utilities, energy stakeholders, and state agencies. Its responsibilities would include planning, developing, and analyzing energy and transmission projects, coordinating with state agencies, and participating in regional energy initiatives. The bill also proposed funding the authority's activities through a special revenue account, using money from the wholesale energy transaction tax.

HB 812 aimed to revise state unemployment laws specifically concerning nonprofessional employees of educational institutions. Currently, employees in educational settings are generally denied unemployment benefits between academic terms if they have a reasonable assurance of returning to work. This bill proposed to allow nonprofessional employees of educational institutions to claim unemployment benefits during these interim periods, in alignment with federal law. The change would have enabled these specific workers to receive unemployment compensation during breaks when they might otherwise be ineligible.

HB 734, titled the "Responsible Restroom Allocation Act," would prohibit public educational institutions in Montana from providing or maintaining menstrual product dispensers in male-designated restrooms. This applies to all public elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as units of the Montana university system and community colleges. The bill requires existing dispensers in male-designated restrooms to be removed within 60 days of its effective date. Compliance would be overseen by the Superintendent of Public Instruction for K-12 schools and the Board of Regents for higher education, with potential withholding of administrative funding for non-compliance. The bill clarifies that menstrual products can still be provided in female-designated restrooms, nurse's offices, or student health centers.

HB 857 proposes to establish a surcharge for hunters and anglers who lease private land for hunting or fishing. Individuals who lease land would be required to declare their lease and pay an additional 10% of their annual lease payment to the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks when purchasing a conservation license. The revenues generated from this surcharge would be specifically used to fund the state's block management program. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in the revocation of hunting and fishing privileges for at least five years.

HB 288 proposes to establish a father's financial obligation to support a child starting at conception, rather than at birth. This bill would allow mothers to seek financial support from the father during pregnancy to cover associated expenses. It also includes a provision permitting a mother to object to paternity genetic testing while pregnant. The bill aims to ensure both parents share financial responsibilities from the beginning of pregnancy.

HB 613 revises the requirements for public libraries and public library districts to receive state aid in Montana. The bill mandates that libraries receiving state grants must provide matching funds, requiring $1 in cash for every $1 of the grant. These matching funds must be contributed by local or tribal governments and cannot come from other state or federal sources. To ensure compliance, a responsible official must certify that these matching fund requirements have been met.

HB 837 establishes a statewide Retired Teacher Induction and Mentoring Program to support new teachers by pairing them with retired teachers from the same school district. School districts can optionally participate, matching a new teacher with a former teacher for up to three months of guidance. Participating districts compensate retired teachers hourly for up to 36 hours, and the Office of Public Instruction then reimburses these costs. The program, funded by an annual $100,000 state appropriation, aims to provide new teachers with support such as classroom feedback, administrative assistance, and help with district policies.