Budget & Taxes

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 327: Legislative referendum on state surplus revenue

HB 327 proposes a legislative referendum that, if approved by Montana voters, would authorize the state legislature to establish a program to return excess state revenue to resident income taxpayers. This bill grants the legislature the ability to create such a program, outlining considerations like the amount of revenue that triggers refunds, how they are calculated, and eligibility requirements. The proposed act would be submitted to qualified electors for approval at the November 2026 general election.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReturns surplus revenue to taxpayers, providing direct tax relief for individuals and aligning with fiscal responsibility in state tax policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 373: Revise lottery proceeds laws to dedicate to education funding

HB 373 aimed to revise the allocation of excess state lottery revenue, dedicating it to education funding instead of the state general fund. The Office of Public Instruction would distribute these funds quarterly to school districts based on a per-quality-educator formula. Districts would deposit these funds into their school flexibility funds, which could be used for various expenditures, including teacher salaries, benefits, housing, technology enhancements, and facility improvements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing lottery revenue to education funding, increasing public service allocation without new taxes or tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill redirects lottery revenue to education funding, earmarked for teacher salaries, benefits, and infrastructure - directly increases school funding allocation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill dedicates lottery funds for teacher salaries, benefits, and workplace improvements per school district formula, directly funding labor-related employment costs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 412: Provide exemption for certain modifications to residential property

HB 412 proposed a new property tax exemption for homeowners who modify their existing residential properties to add living space. This exemption would apply to the increase in market value due to the modification, up to a limit of 15% of the property's market value before the modification. However, it would not apply to modifications made within three years of new construction, and only one exemption could be granted every six years, terminating upon the sale of the property. The Department of Revenue would automatically grant this exemption, which was set to begin in tax years after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for home modifications, reducing taxable value increase for homeowners, aligning with tax relief support.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 887: Provide property tax relief funded with lodging tax revenue

HB 887 was a legislative bill designed to provide property tax assistance for owners of primary residences. The bill proposed to fund this relief by redirecting a portion of the state's lodging tax revenue. It aimed to amend existing statutes governing the distribution of these lodging tax proceeds. While the bill's intent was to reallocate lodging tax funds for property tax relief, the provided text does not detail the specific changes or mechanisms for how these funds would be redirected.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects lodging tax revenue to fund property tax relief for primary residences, directly providing tax relief through budget reallocation without increasing taxes or defunding services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 200: Provide for increase in total MEDIA act film tax credits

HB 200 proposes to increase the total amount of film tax credits available annually under the Montana Economic Development Industry Advancement (MEDIA) Act. The bill would raise the yearly cap on these tax credits from $12 million to $350 million. This change directly affects film production companies and related businesses that qualify for and claim these tax credits in Montana. The Department of Commerce grants authorization for these credits, which are then claimed on a first-come, first-served basis. This increase would apply to income tax years starting after December 31, 2024.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesIncreases corporate tax credits from $12M to $350M, reducing state revenue; aligns with 'oppose' indicators of tax breaks for corporations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 859: Provide income tax credits for contributions to a community improvement organization

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credits for contributions to community organizations supporting public facilities, reducing taxable income for donors and incentivizing private funding for public infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 946: Revise selective sales taxes to provide ongoing property tax relief

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides property tax relief via increased selective sales taxes, directly addressing tax burden management and fiscal responsibility for homeowners.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 830: Create a local emergency quick response funding program

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds emergency response program via state appropriations, creating new budget allocation for disaster relief grants to property owners.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted abstain

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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

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 27: Remove automatic agricultural classification for certain parcels

HB 27 revises the criteria for classifying land as agricultural for property tax valuation. The bill introduces an application and review process for certain agricultural properties, moving away from automatic classification. It also increases the required annual gross income for parcels between 20 and 160 acres to qualify as agricultural land. Furthermore, it establishes a new "idle land" classification with a revised tax rate, replacing the prior "nonqualified agricultural property" classification, directly affecting property owners with these land types.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCloses agricultural tax loophole by requiring higher income thresholds and application process, increasing tax revenue from non-qualifying parcels through revised classification.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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