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 No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 326: Establish a tax on electrical energy not produced by coal to match coal severance tax rate

HB 326, titled the "State Energy Resource Severance Act," would establish a new 10% tax on the sale price of electrical energy produced in the state. This tax would apply to electricity generated from sources such as water, wind, and solar, but specifically exempts coal-fired electrical generation. The bill also reduces the existing coal severance tax rate to match this new electrical energy production tax rate. Revenue from this new tax would be allocated to special accounts, primarily for local government infrastructure projects traditionally funded by coal.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new 10% tax on non-coal energy (wind/solar), reallocates revenue to local accounts for public services, strengthening tax base and fiscal management per bill's explicit tax structure.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill taxes renewable energy (wind/solar/hydro) at 10% while exempting coal and reducing coal's severance tax, directly favoring fossil fuels over renewables.95% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentTaxes renewable energy sources while exempting coal, disincentivizing clean energy adoption and favoring fossil fuels over environmental protection.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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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 No ✗ Opposes 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 No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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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 No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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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 No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 19, 2025

SB 542: Generally revise property tax laws

SB 542 generally revises property tax laws, affecting various property owners. The bill freezes property values for tax years 2025 and 2026 at their 2024 levels, unless a decrease is determined by the Department of Revenue. It provides a property tax rebate of up to $400 for principal residences based on 2024 property taxes paid, which taxpayers must claim between August 15 and October 1, 2025. Additionally, the legislation reduces tax rates for Class Three agricultural property and revises rates for Class Four residential and commercial properties, including lower rates for owner-occupied homes, long-term rentals, and a portion of commercial property value.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFreezes property values for 2025-2026, provides $400 rebates for primary residences, and reduces agricultural tax rates - direct tax relief measures.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 253: Revise administrative and certification processes for student scholarship organizations

SB 253 revises the administrative and certification processes for student scholarship organizations (SSOs) in Montana. The bill requires SSOs to apply for certification from the Department of Revenue and outlines specific requirements they must meet to be certified and accept tax-credit eligible donations. It mandates that SSOs allocate at least 90% of their annual revenue from eligible donations for scholarships and ensures a parent's right to select an education provider. The legislation aims to increase transparency and accountability for these organizations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enables tax-credit donations for SSOs, directing private funds toward education scholarships via tax incentives, aligning with fiscal policy for program funding.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates scholarship funding mechanism via tax-credit donations, mandates 90% allocation to scholarships, and ensures parental education provider choice - expanding access and funding pathways for students.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 534: Provide property tax exemption for wireless infrastructure

SB 534 provides a property tax exemption for specific wireless infrastructure in Montana. This bill exempts qualifying wireless infrastructure, placed into service on or after the act's effective date, from property taxes for an initial period of five years. Following this, the exemption gradually phases out over the next five years, after which the property becomes fully taxable. To maintain the exemption, owners must reinvest the tax savings into new communication infrastructure within Montana, without charging those costs to consumers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for wireless infrastructure, a direct tax relief measure under taxation policy, aligning with tax relief indicators.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyTax exemption incentivizes wireless infrastructure investment, directly advancing internet access and communication technology deployment per bill's purpose.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 177: Allow community choice school commission to seek public funding

SB 177 authorizes the Community Choice School Commission to seek and receive public funding. The bill also clarifies the commission's existing ability to accept and spend gifts and donations from private individuals and entities. These changes directly impact the financial operations of the Community Choice School Commission, which is responsible for approving authorizers for choice schools across the state. This allows the commission to broaden its sources of financial support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes public funding for school commission, increasing state budget allocation for education programs per bill's explicit language on seeking public funds.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuthorizes public funding for school commission, expanding financial support for choice schools and clarifying donation acceptance to strengthen school finance operations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes