Budget & Taxes

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 334: Generally revise disaster and emergency laws

HB 334 sought to revise laws concerning disaster and emergency funding. The bill proposed to increase the statutory appropriation available to the Governor's office for declared emergencies from $16 million to $22 million per two-year period, effective July 1, 2025. It also would have allowed the Department of Military Affairs to use up to $3 million annually from this fund for disaster and emergency services activities, such as planning, training, and response, without a formal governor's declaration. Unspent funds at the end of each biennium would continue to be transferred to the fire suppression account.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases emergency funding appropriation from $16M to $22M and allocates $3M for military disaster services, advancing budget for public safety.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 827: Revise social security income taxation

HB 827 aimed to revise the taxation of Social Security benefits at the state level in Montana. The bill proposed to modify how the federal calculation for taxing Social Security benefits is applied when determining an individual's state income tax. This change would have directly affected Montana residents receiving Social Security benefits by potentially altering the portion of those benefits subject to state income tax. The bill included provisions for a delayed effective and applicability date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill revises state tax on Social Security benefits, likely reducing tax burden for seniors (middle/lower income), aligning with tax relief indicator.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 700: Changing the amortization period for statewide DB retirement systems to 25 years

House Bill 700 (HB 700) proposes to shorten the maximum amortization period for statewide defined benefit public employee retirement systems from 30 years to 25 years. This change directly affects the funding requirements for various public employee retirement plans, including those for general public employees, judges, highway patrol officers, sheriffs, police officers, firefighters, and teachers. The bill specifies that contributions must be sufficient to cover future benefits and amortize unfunded liabilities over this shorter 25-year period. Additionally, it establishes that no new benefits can be added to these systems unless they can amortize within 25 years or less and are projected to be fully funded.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesShortens amortization period to 25 years, requiring higher annual state contributions to fund retirement systems, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentShortens retirement amortization period to protect public employee benefits (e.g., teachers, police) by ensuring faster funding of unfunded liabilities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 494: Revise tobacco settlement allocations

HB 494 proposes to revise how Montana allocates its yearly tobacco settlement proceeds, effective July 1, 2025. This bill would change the distribution percentages between two state special revenue accounts. Currently, 32% of the proceeds fund statewide tobacco disease prevention programs, and 17% goes to the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). HB 494 would reverse these allocations, directing 17% to tobacco prevention and 32% to CHIP to secure federal matching funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReallocates tobacco settlement funds to increase CHIP funding via federal matching, strengthening public health program financing within state budget.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases CHIP funding from 17% to 32% to expand children's health insurance coverage, securing federal matching funds for public health program.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 604: Prohibit guaranteed income programs

House Bill 604, also known as the "Work Protection Act," aims to establish statewide uniformity by prohibiting local governments from creating or administering guaranteed income programs. The bill defines a guaranteed income program as one providing regular, unearned cash payments to individuals for any purpose, excluding programs requiring work or training. It prevents political subdivisions, such as counties and cities, from adopting related ordinances or rules. The Attorney General is authorized to issue cease and desist orders and pursue legal action against any local government that violates this prohibition.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits local guaranteed income programs, restricting government spending on unearned cash payments, thus opposing expanded public expenditure in budget management.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 310: Establish grant program to increase community shelter capacity for homeless population

HB 310 proposed establishing a state matching grant program to increase community shelter capacity for the homeless population. Administered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services, these grants would help local governments and eligible nonprofit organizations. The funds would specifically target services for senior citizens, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, youth transitioning from foster care, and individuals with mental health or substance use disorders. Applicants would be required to provide matching funds and collaborate with existing homelessness service providers. The bill appropriated $2 million from the general fund for the program, which was set to operate from July 2025 to June 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes state matching grants (approp) for homeless shelter capacity, increasing public funding for essential social services targeting vulnerable populations.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly targets mental health services for homeless individuals with mental health disorders through state grant program.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes state grants to increase homeless shelter capacity, directly funding housing services for vulnerable groups including seniors, veterans, and those with mental health needs, addressing homelessness.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly targets veterans as a primary beneficiary group for grant-funded shelter services under the community shelter program, directly advancing veteran support through funding.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 376: Require state agencies to provide timely information to legislators

HB 376 would have required state agencies to provide information requested by legislators within 5 legislative days during a session. If an agency failed to respond, a legislator could file a complaint with the appropriations committee. This committee would then hold a hearing and could vote to reduce the agency's budget by up to 5%. The hearing's outcome would be shared with the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, allowing for potential disciplinary action against the agency director.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill uses budget reductions (up to 5%) as enforcement for agency responsiveness, promoting fiscal accountability in appropriations management per subjects listed.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 537: Provide for a birth day tax credit for the birth of a child

HB 537 proposed creating a new "birth day" tax credit for resident taxpayers in Montana upon the birth of a child. The credit would be up to $3,000, or the total of the taxpayer's Montana income taxes, federal income taxes, and FICA contributions, whichever is less. This credit would be refundable, allowing taxpayers to receive a refund even if they have no state tax liability. The credit amount would be reduced for higher-income taxpayers and capped at $1,500 in certain situations, such as for parents filing separately or unmarried parents sharing custody. If passed, it would have applied to income tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax credit reducing tax burden for new parents, aligning with tax relief for middle/lower income families through direct financial support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 360: Establish the child care workforce recruitment and retention support payment program

HB 360 proposed establishing the Child Care Workforce Recruitment and Retention Support Payment Program, administered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. This program would have provided monthly payments to eligible child-care facilities, including licensed day-care centers and registered family or group day-care homes, based on their number of child-care workers. The funds were intended to help these facilities recruit and retain qualified child-care workers. Day-care centers and group homes could use the money for personnel costs like wage supplements and bonuses, while family day-care homes also had options for facility costs, equipment, professional development, and mental health support for children. The bill included an appropriation of $59.9 million annually from the general fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via monthly payments to child-care facilities under appropriations program, directly funding workforce retention efforts.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds child-care facilities to recruit/retain workers, directly supporting labor workforce stability in this sector per bill's intent and Labor & Employment subject classification.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 385: Establishing the school mental health promotion pilot program

HB 385 proposed establishing the School Mental Health Promotion Pilot Program, administered by the Office of Public Instruction. This program would have provided grants to Montana school districts to implement innovative, student-led, and locally determined initiatives aimed at improving student mental health. Districts applying for grants would have needed to demonstrate specific needs, broad community support in their application development, and plans for mental health promotion activities and program evaluation. The bill proposed annual grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 for a two-year period, with $250,000 appropriated annually from the general fund. The program was set to terminate on June 30, 2029.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds school mental health pilot program through grants, directly addressing appropriations in state budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for school mental health programs, enhancing student well-being and support services within K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates grants to school districts for student mental health promotion initiatives, directly advancing mental health services through funding and program implementation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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