House Joint Resolution 21 (HJ 21) is a resolution from the Montana State Legislature requesting the United States Congress and federal Executive Branch to secure and strengthen Social Security. The resolution asks the federal government to increase Social Security funding without making any cuts to benefits. This action is intended to ensure Social Security benefits are secure for current and future generations for the next 75 years and beyond. It highlights Social Security's importance to over 250,000 Montanans, including retirees, survivors, and individuals receiving disability benefits.
House Bill 172 revises the process for prioritizing highway construction and reconstruction projects. It requires the Transportation Interim Committee to prepare a joint resolution for each legislative session, recommending specific projects for the Transportation Commission to prioritize. The bill also mandates that the Transportation Commission report biennially to the committee on the status of these recommended projects, explaining any reasons why a project was not prioritized. The Department of Transportation is tasked with assisting the Commission in considering these legislative recommendations.
HB 319 aimed to prohibit employers from requiring employees to attend training sessions related to "controversial social vision." The bill defined "controversial social vision" as any agenda, concept, or theory not broadly accepted in society or that generates strong opposition from mainstream political, religious, or social groups. Additionally, it sought to amend election law to prevent an elector's employer, an agent of the employer, or a union officer from being designated as an agent for a disabled elector.
House Joint Resolution 16 (HJ 16) is a resolution where the Montana Legislature recognizes the economic benefits that renewable energy projects have brought to the state. It expresses the Legislature's support for the future responsible development of new renewable energy projects in Montana. Copies of this resolution are to be sent to the Governor, the Montana Public Service Commission, the Montana Rural Electric Cooperatives' Association, and the Montana Congressional Delegation.
This bill would have established an income tax credit for individuals and corporations in Montana who make cash contributions to qualified community improvement organizations. These organizations are defined as tax-exempt groups with no paid staff that raise or distribute funds to support public facilities owned by the state or local government. The credit amount would be equal to the contribution, capped at the lesser of 10% of taxable income or $3,000, and could be carried forward for three years. An aggregate statewide limit on the total amount of credits claimed annually would have been set, starting at $2 million in 2026 and potentially increasing in subsequent years, requiring preapproval from the Department.
HB 644 would have allowed counties, with written permission from the Department of Revenue, to employ their own certified property appraisers for property tax purposes. Appraisals conducted by these county appraisers would then be used by the Department of Revenue when certifying taxable values. The bill also updated existing regulations regarding property valuation staff's entry onto private land for appraisals, extending these rules to county appraisers and affirming landowners' rights to be present. If a landowner denied entry, the property's value could be estimated, and appeals would require granting access or providing an independent certified appraisal.
HB 470 aimed to revise laws concerning mortgages and false advertising by prohibiting the use of "trigger leads." The bill sought to define what constitutes a trigger lead and categorize its use as a form of false and deceptive advertising, in part to prevent identity theft. It would have granted the Banking Commissioner authority to regulate these leads. This legislation directly affected mortgage lenders and advertisers by restricting certain marketing practices and aimed to protect consumers from potentially deceptive solicitations.
HB 439, "Creating sheriffs' first initiative for cooperation and communication," aimed to regulate arrests, searches, and seizures conducted by federal employees and agents in Montana. The bill would have required federal personnel, unless designated as state peace officers, to obtain written permission from the county sheriff before making an arrest, search, or seizure. It provided exceptions for situations like operations on federal land or when an immediate arrest for a witnessed crime was necessary. For some exceptions, permission from the state attorney general would have been required. The bill also allowed county sheriffs discretion on whether to implement these provisions and declared federal laws granting federal employees sheriff-like authority invalid in the state.
HB 946 aimed to provide property tax relief for owners of principal residences by increasing selective sales taxes on lodging and rental cars. The bill proposed a temporary property tax credit of up to $400 for eligible principal residences for tax year 2025, based on 2024 tax payments. It also outlined plans for permanent property tax assistance starting in tax year 2026. The Department of Revenue would have been responsible for certifying principal residences and processing claims, which included an application and appeals process.
HB 830 aimed to establish a Local Emergency Quick Response Program and account to provide financial aid to property owners residing outside of incorporated cities or towns. The program would offer cost-share grants, up to $10,000, for immediate needs like removing fallen trees, acquiring livestock feed, or minor fencing, following damage from catastrophic natural events. Property owners would apply through their local conservation district after a county emergency resolution, contributing at least 25% of the total costs. The bill proposed an $8 million appropriation to fund the program, with eligibility limited to once every five years per property owner.
House Bill 482 (HB 482) proposed to change how local government elections are conducted. It would have required all local government elections, including those for county managers, municipal council-mayors, and municipal commission-managers, to be held on a partisan basis. This bill aimed to eliminate the current option for local elections to be nonpartisan, meaning candidates would run with a declared political party affiliation. It would have directly affected voters and candidates in local elections across the state.
HB 230 proposed to revise Montana's Medicaid laws, directly affecting current and prospective Medicaid clients. The bill aimed to eliminate work requirements and premiums, while establishing 12-month continuous eligibility for certain populations like parents and adults in the expansion program. It also sought to improve customer service by streamlining application processes, enhancing digital communications, and providing a phone hotline. Additionally, the bill intended to establish a Medicaid Client Advisory Board to advise the Department of Public Health and Human Services and repeal the termination date of the Montana Health and Economic Livelihood Partnership Act.
