Budget & Taxes

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 440: Providing tax incentives to put Montana-produced food first

HB 440 aimed to provide tax incentives for the sale of food produced in Montana. The bill proposed allowing both individuals and corporations to subtract income earned from selling Montana-produced food when calculating their state income taxes. This mechanism was intended to reduce the tax burden on those involved in the sale of local food products. The bill sought to amend current statutes governing individual and corporate income tax adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax deduction for Montana food sales, reducing taxable income and lowering tax burden on agricultural producers per bill's tax incentive mechanism.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 878: Authorize additional funding for coal trust loan program for housing

HB 878 proposes to increase the funding available for housing loans for low-income and moderate-income individuals in Montana. It authorizes the Board of Housing to administer an additional $50 million, raising its total from $65 million to $115 million, from the permanent coal tax trust fund. These funds are specifically designated for providing loans to develop and preserve homes and apartments for eligible persons. The bill also outlines project requirements, such as loans being for multifamily rental housing projects and adhering to specific interest rate guidelines.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases housing loan funding by $50M from coal tax trust fund, directing existing tax revenues to public housing program.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases $50M funding for low/moderate-income housing loans via coal trust fund, directly advancing affordable housing access and development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 489: Revise sales tax laws to provide for local option tax

HB 489, titled the "Local Option Property Tax Relief Act," would have allowed consolidated city-counties or counties to implement a local sales tax. This tax, requiring voter approval and capped at 4%, would apply to specific goods and services, excluding items like medical supplies and SNAP-eligible food products. The revenue generated from this local option tax would be specifically used to provide property tax relief for primary residences and long-term rental properties. A portion of the revenue would also be distributed to local governments that do not levy the tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates local sales tax (max 4%) to fund property tax relief for primary residences/rentals, directly reducing tax burden on homeowners per summary.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax relief for primary residences and long-term rentals, reducing housing costs and supporting affordability through targeted tax relief.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 649: Establish a farm to food bank program

House Bill 649 proposes establishing a "Farm to Food Bank Grant Program" to be administered by the Department of Agriculture. This program would offer competitive grants to organizations, such as regional food hubs, to purchase Montana-grown food products directly from farmers and ranchers. These purchased items, including fruits, vegetables, and meats, would then be distributed to food pantries across the state. The goal is to provide fresh, local food to low-income consumers while creating a new market for Montana producers, with a preference for applicants serving rural and tribal communities. The bill appropriates $3 million to fund the program for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a state-funded grant program (appropriations) to distribute food via competitive grants, aligning with budget allocation for public service funding.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 654: Increase access to early literacy targeted intervention programs

HB 654 aims to support and expand early literacy targeted intervention programs within school districts. The bill clarifies how school districts can count students participating in these programs, including those offered in partnership with community organizations, for Average Number Belonging (ANB) calculations, which affects state funding. It also proposes creating a temporary grant program to help districts establish or expand classroom-based early literacy intervention initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates temporary grant program for early literacy interventions, directly impacting state funding allocation through ANB calculations and school finance appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates temporary grants to expand early literacy programs and clarifies ANB calculations to increase state funding for participating students, directly advancing educational access and school funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

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