Budget & Taxes

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 950: Establishing a Montana trade office in Israel

House Bill 950 sought to establish and maintain a Montana trade office in Israel, staffed by the Department of Commerce. The office's primary goal was to promote trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between Montana and Israel. It aimed to strengthen ties and expand opportunities in areas such as agriculture, technology, security, and educational programs. The bill proposed appropriating $500,000 from the general fund for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025, to fund the office. This act was intended to be effective July 1, 2025, and terminate on June 30, 2033.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $500,000 from general fund for trade office, directly allocating state budget resources to fund a new program.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 405: Increase on-schedule reimbursement rates for school transportation

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases state reimbursement to lower school district property taxes, providing direct tax relief for local communities.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases state reimbursement rates for school transportation, reducing district costs and supporting school finance under education funding.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases reimbursement rates for school bus transportation infrastructure, directly funding school district transportation operations per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 21: Establish a Montana workforce housing tax credit

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit for low-income housing projects, offering relief to taxpayers and funding affordable housing initiatives under tax policy.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingEstablishes tax credit for low-income housing projects, directly funding workforce housing development per federal standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 148: Repeal state tax on social security income

HB 148 proposes to exempt Social Security benefits from the state income tax in Montana. This bill would revise existing tax laws by amending specific sections of the Montana Code Annotated related to income tax definitions. If passed, it would directly affect individuals in Montana who receive Social Security income by eliminating their state tax liability on those benefits. The bill also specifies a delayed effective date and an applicability date for these changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRepeals tax on Social Security benefits, providing tax relief to seniors (lower-income retirees), directly aligning with support indicators for tax relief.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 366: Provide appropriation to DOJ for Lake County reimbursement related to PL 280

HB 366 proposed to appropriate a total of $5 million from the state's general fund to the Department of Justice over two fiscal years, starting July 1, 2025. This funding was intended to reimburse Lake County. The reimbursement was for the county's role in assuming felony criminal jurisdiction over members of federally recognized tribes and the Indian territory of the Flathead Indian reservation, a responsibility undertaken due to Public Law 280. The bill indicated that this appropriation was meant to be an ongoing part of the state budget until Montana ends its participation in Public Law 280.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $5M from state general fund to reimburse Lake County for PL 280 jurisdiction costs, directly funding government spending and fiscal management per appropriations subject.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 34: Revise law to establish permanent disaster resilience fund

House Bill 34 creates a permanent Disaster Resiliency Fund within the state special revenue fund, managed by the Department of Military Affairs. This fund is intended to support state and local mitigation projects, provide matching funds for hazardous material equipment and training, and develop emergency management resources. Annually, $4 million from the general fund is transferred into this account, which has a maximum balance of $12 million. Any funds exceeding this cap are returned to the general fund. The money in the account is statutorily appropriated, allowing for ongoing use without further biennial legislative approval, directly affecting state and local disaster preparedness efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $4M annually from general fund to create Disaster Resiliency Fund for public infrastructure projects, directly funding essential state services within budget framework.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 951: Transferring funds to local road and bridge account

HB 951 proposed a one-time transfer of $30 million from the state's general fund to the local road and bridge account. This action would have directed the state treasurer to complete the transfer by July 15, 2025. The funds were intended to support local road and bridge projects throughout the state, benefiting communities and their infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTransfers $30M from general fund to road infrastructure, directly allocating state budget funds to support essential public infrastructure projects.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationTransfers $30M to local road/bridge projects, directly funding infrastructure improvements per bill summary and subjects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 472: Revise laws related to state settlement money

HB 472 revises how the state manages money received from legal settlements. It generally requires that funds obtained from claims or litigation on behalf of the state or its citizens, after covering attorney fees and costs, be deposited into the state's general fund. The bill includes exceptions for specific funds like victim restitution, natural resource damages for restoration, and existing tobacco settlement money. It also grants the Governor authority to approve alternative uses for settlement funds, requiring a report to the legislative finance committee if this authority is utilized.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects settlement funds to general fund, increasing state budget revenue without tax changes, aligning with fiscal responsibility and fund allocation indicators.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 424: Revise taxes for class 17 data center property

HB 424 revises property tax classifications for data center property. It modifies the types of property included in Class seventeen for qualified data centers, and extends the timeframe within which this data center property must be built. The bill also revises ownership requirements for Class seventeen data center property. Additionally, it updates the classification of certain dedicated communications infrastructure in Class thirteen, extending its relevant timeframe.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill revises property tax classifications for data centers, providing tax benefits through modified classifications and extended timelines, directly advancing tax policy for a specific sector.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 329: Make the Montana ammunition act permanent

HB 329 aims to encourage the formation of ammunition component manufacturing businesses in Montana. It establishes various state tax exemptions for qualified manufacturers, including property, individual income, corporate income, and other business-related taxes. To receive these exemptions, manufacturers must make their products available to in-state consumers at prices no higher than those for out-of-state purchasers. Additionally, the bill provides individual and corporate income tax exemptions to investors and lenders who provide loans to these eligible ammunition component manufacturers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax exemptions for corporate, property, and individual income taxes for ammunition manufacturers, constituting tax relief that aligns with support indicators for tax policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes