HB 385 proposed establishing the School Mental Health Promotion Pilot Program, administered by the Office of Public Instruction. This program would have provided grants to Montana school districts to implement innovative, student-led, and locally determined initiatives aimed at improving student mental health. Districts applying for grants would have needed to demonstrate specific needs, broad community support in their application development, and plans for mental health promotion activities and program evaluation. The bill proposed annual grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 for a two-year period, with $250,000 appropriated annually from the general fund. The program was set to terminate on June 30, 2029.
HB 347 proposed to revise existing laws concerning the use of hunter orange while hunting. The bill would have granted the Fish and Wildlife Commission the authority to adopt rules regarding the specific requirements for hunter orange or similar visible clothing materials. This change would have allowed the Commission to establish safety measures for hunters and their companions through regulations.
HB 304 revises residential tenant security deposit laws, directly affecting both landlords and tenants. The bill requires landlords to provide tenants with an itemized written notice of any unaccomplished cleaning and estimated costs before deducting cleaning charges from a security deposit. Tenants are then given 48 hours, extended from 24, to complete the necessary cleaning. Additionally, the bill prohibits landlords from charging a fee for inspecting the cleaning tenants have completed within this timeframe.
HB 746 would authorize county governing bodies to create and enforce noise ordinances within their jurisdictions. These ordinances could regulate noise levels for residents and businesses, defining specific areas covered, setting time-based limits, and providing exceptions for approved activities. The noise ordinances would apply countywide or to specific portions, but not within incorporated cities or towns. Violations of these county noise ordinances could result in a fine not exceeding $200, but would not be punishable by imprisonment.
The provided bill text, labeled as SB 536, does not match the requested bill number (HB 536) or title ("Prohibit employing aliens not lawfully authorized to accept employment").
Based on the provided text for SB 536, this bill revises the contractor's gross receipts tax. It creates an exemption for resident individuals and licensed businesses that are fully compliant with state income, payroll, and property tax obligations, requiring them to apply and be listed on the department's website. The bill also extends the carryforward period for related tax credits from 5 to 7 years and allows these credits to offset certain real property taxes. It applies to accrued credit carryforwards and has a delayed effective date of January 1, 2026.
HB 405 proposed to increase the maximum reimbursement rates that school districts receive from state and county sources for student transportation. The bill specifically raised the per-mile rates for school buses of different passenger capacities, as well as for non-bus mileage. The intent was to lower school district property taxes designated for transportation expenses. These changes would have applied to school district transportation budgets starting July 1, 2025.
HB 753 proposed to revise human sexuality instruction requirements in Montana public schools. The bill mandated that if a school district offers human sexuality instruction, it must include at least one visual image of a dilation and evacuation (D&E) abortion performed between 20 and 25 weeks of gestation. This measure would have directly affected public school districts, students enrolled in human sexuality courses, and their parents.
HB 410 revises the laws for approving local government bond and mill levy elections, affecting how counties, cities, towns, and school districts can raise funds for various projects and services. The bill allows a simple majority vote to approve these measures if the election is held during a primary or general election in an even-numbered year. For elections held at other times, approval generally requires a majority vote along with a minimum 35% voter turnout. It also adjusts the minimum voter turnout requirements for certain elections that currently need 60% voter approval.
HB 678 proposes revisions to the "statement of purpose and implication" for statewide ballot issues presented to voters. It amends the existing structure to require the second part of this statement to be an itemized and bulleted list. This list must detail the primary impacts of the proposal, including specific changes and what remains the same, while explicitly prohibiting generalized assumptions or opinions, and is limited to 150 words. The first part of the statement would remain a 135-word explanation in complete sentences, and the overall statement must remain true, impartial, and in plain language. These revised statements would serve as both the petition title and the ballot title.
HB 844 proposes changes to how class eight business equipment is taxed. It aims to increase the amount of business equipment that is exempt from property taxes, directly benefiting businesses that own such equipment. Key provisions include adjusting the exemption amount annually for inflation and exempting individual pieces of equipment costing less than $250. To address potential revenue impacts from these changes, the bill provides for reimbursements to local governments, tax increment financing districts, and the Montana University System.
HB 653 revises state law regarding parental access to a child's health care information and consent for medical care. The bill generally requires parental consent for most medical procedures, examinations, prescription drugs, and mental health services for children, with exceptions for emergencies. It also mandates that health care providers make a child's health information available to a parent within 10 days of a request. However, parental access to this information is not required if a government entity is the child's guardian, a court order limits parental rights, or the parent is under investigation for abuse or a crime against the child.
HB 21 proposes to establish a Montana workforce housing tax credit for taxpayers owning an interest in qualified low-income housing projects. Beginning in 2026, these taxpayers could claim the credit against their income or insurance premium taxes for a six-year period, with unused portions carried forward. The Board of Housing would allocate these credits, up to $1.5 million annually, using a qualified allocation plan. The bill defines "qualified project" as a low-income building under federal law and adds this new credit to the list of tax credits subject to legislative review.
