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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
HB 472 revises how the state manages money received from legal settlements. It generally requires that funds obtained from claims or litigation on behalf of the state or its citizens, after covering attorney fees and costs, be deposited into the state's general fund. The bill includes exceptions for specific funds like victim restitution, natural resource damages for restoration, and existing tobacco settlement money. It also grants the Governor authority to approve alternative uses for settlement funds, requiring a report to the legislative finance committee if this authority is utilized.
HB 424 revises property tax classifications for data center property. It modifies the types of property included in Class seventeen for qualified data centers, and extends the timeframe within which this data center property must be built. The bill also revises ownership requirements for Class seventeen data center property. Additionally, it updates the classification of certain dedicated communications infrastructure in Class thirteen, extending its relevant timeframe.
HB 228 revises how the Office of Budget and Program Planning reports on the actual costs of certain legislation to the Legislative Finance Committee. It lowers the threshold for tracking from $1 million to $500,000 in projected general fund expenditures. The bill requires reports to be submitted biannually, in February and October, detailing actual spending for the preceding six months and comparing it to the original projected costs. This legislation also repeals a termination date, making this cost reporting requirement permanent.
