HB 339 would change Montana's school funding formula to provide 6th graders in accredited middle schools with the same per-pupil funding rate as 7th and 8th graders - currently, 6th graders receive lower elementary school funding. The bill amends Montana Code Sections 20-9-306 and 20-9-311 to eliminate this disparity, directly affecting school districts operating middle schools with 6th graders. It aims to align funding with accreditation standards, enabling middle schools to offer expanded programs like career and technical education. The policy change would adjust state education funding calculations for these districts without altering school structures.
SB 150 creates a new "cigar bar room" license endorsement for existing alcohol licensees that also hold gambling licenses (e.g., casinos or gaming venues). It allows premium cigar smoking only in a designated, enclosed area with strict requirements: cigars must meet specific handmade criteria (no filters, 100% tobacco), the venue must generate at least 10% of annual revenue from cigar sales, and no other tobacco/vaping products may be smoked or sold there. The designated area must have proper ventilation, be separate from nonsmoking zones, and exclude minors under 21. The bill also exempts these cigar rooms from standard clean indoor air laws and requires a 2026 study on Montana’s gaming industry.
SB 287 creates the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust to manage volatile state revenues, including transferring funds to new specialized accounts like Montana Water Development, Better Local Bridges, and Early Childhood. It modifies property tax assistance by requiring homeowners to certify primary residences (with penalties for false claims) and directing county credits to eligible homeowners. The bill establishes rules for distributing trust interest income to state accounts, limits volatile revenue transfers during budget deficits, and revises pension fund transfers. These changes directly affect state finance agencies, local governments, and homeowners applying for property tax credits. The bill also creates a Montana Housing Trust and updates reporting requirements for state funds.
SB 540 revises Montana's property tax rules for "class 17 property," specifically targeting dedicated telecommunications infrastructure like fiber optic and coaxial cable. It provides a 5-year tax exemption for new fiber/coaxial cable installations placed in service after July 1, 2021, with the exemption phasing out over 10 years (20% annually). To maintain the exemption, owners must reinvest the tax savings into new Montana cable installations within 2 years without passing costs to consumers. Federal-funded projects (e.g., under the American Rescue Plan) are excluded from the exemption, and owners must keep records for state review. The bill directly affects telecom infrastructure owners and operators in Montana.
SB 321 proposes three tax credits to support Montana families and child-care providers. It would provide a $1,200 annual credit per child under age 5 for eligible residents (with income limits of $40,000 single/$80,000 married filing jointly), a $1,000 credit for child-care workers employed at least 6 months (20+ hours weekly), and a $2,500 employer credit for businesses offering dependent care assistance. All credits adjust annually for inflation and require filing a Montana tax return. The bill directly affects low-to-moderate-income families, child-care workers, and employers who provide on-site or subsidized care. (Note: The bill died in committee on May 23, 2025, and did not become law.)
SB 90 would provide property tax relief to Montana homeowners with primary residences by using lodging and rental car tax revenue. Homeowners would need to apply for certification by March 1, proving they live in the home at least 7 months yearly and that the property value is under $1 million. Counties would apply the credit directly to property tax bills using annual funding based on certified residences, with penalties for false applications. The bill specifies that assistance won’t affect local mill rates and requires Department of Revenue certification of eligible primary residences.
HB 848 aimed to provide dedicated funding for regional rail authorities in the state. The bill proposed creating a "Big Sky Rail Account" within the state special revenue fund, which would receive a portion of rental car sales and use tax proceeds. The Department of Transportation would then annually distribute these funds to eligible regional rail authorities. These authorities could use the money for administrative costs, matching federal grants, fostering partnerships, and planning, developing, and operating rail projects and services, such as enhancing safety, improving stations, and exploring new train routes.
HB 560 would have established a Montana Hunters' and Anglers' Community Fund, allowing donors to contribute $1 or more above the cost of wildlife conservation licenses. Funds collected would support grants for small rural communities (under 7,500 people) through the Department of Commerce, including projects like school improvements, food banks, or student programs. Grants would be limited to $2,000 (small) or $20,000 (large), with eligibility restrictions barring political activities and entities involved in lawsuits. The bill created a review board appointed by legislative leaders and the governor, and it died in committee in May 2025 without becoming law.
HB 313 aimed to establish a grant program to provide funding for public swimming pools operated by local governments and nonprofit organizations. It would have created a "public swimming pool infrastructure account" and appropriated $5 million from the state general fund, to be administered by the Department of Commerce. These grants were intended to support capital construction, maintenance, repair projects, and equipment purchases for eligible aquatic facilities. Grants of $25,000 or more would have required a 1:5 match, and funding was limited to $1 million per county and $500,000 per project.
House Bill 361 sought to establish state funding for school districts serving English language learners and provide professional stipends for their teachers. It proposed state matching funds for public school districts that receive federal subgrants for programs supporting students with limited English proficiency. The bill also aimed to provide annual stipends of up to $500 for qualified teachers holding specific certifications in English as a Second Language or culturally and linguistically diverse education. Teachers meeting these qualifications and working in high-poverty or impacted schools could receive an enhanced stipend of up to $1,000, with both the state and school districts contributing to these payments.
