Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 421: Increase DNRC fire assessment fees

House Bill 421 increases the fire protection assessment rates collected by the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). This bill directly affects owners of forest land located within a wildland fire protection district or under contract for fire protection services. It raises the maximum annual fee per landowner from $50 to $58.70 and increases the additional per-acre charge from 30 cents to 49 cents for land exceeding 20 acres. These new assessment rates are set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases fire protection assessment fees ($50→$58.70 annual, 30¢→49¢/acre), directly raising state revenue through higher fees for forest landowners.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 326: Generally revise laws related to MEDIA Act film tax credits

SB 326 revises Montana's MEDIA Act film tax credits, extending them through 2045 and increasing the aggregate credit limit. The bill provides additional tax credits for production companies that hire veterans and enrolled tribal members. It establishes a fee for unused allocated credits, with these funds directed to a new film industry workforce training account to support workforce development. These changes aim to expand job opportunities and encourage investment in Montana's media manufacturing sector.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends film tax credits through 2045, increases credit limits, adds credits for veteran/tribal hiring, and uses fees to fund workforce training - expanding tax incentives and directing funds for industry development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credits for hiring veterans/tribal members and funds workforce training, directly expanding employment opportunities and supporting labor development.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides tax credits for hiring veterans, directly incentivizing veteran employment through legislative funding mechanism.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 333: Repeal sunset on coal washing credit

Senate Bill 333 repeals the termination date for the existing coal severance tax coal washing credit. This credit, previously set to expire on July 1, 2027, will now continue indefinitely. The bill directly affects coal mining companies and processors that utilize coal washing and are subject to the coal severance tax, allowing them to continue claiming this tax credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends coal severance tax credit indefinitely, providing ongoing tax relief to coal mining companies, directly supporting tax policy in Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyExtends tax credit for coal washing, supporting fossil fuel industry over renewable energy transition per bill's focus on coal severance tax continuation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 564: Revise government transparency laws

Senate Bill 564 requires the Department of Administration to create and manage a public website to increase transparency of state procurement transactions. This website will provide detailed information on payments made by state agencies, including the contractor's name, the purpose of the payment, and the amount. To help offset the costs of establishing and maintaining this website, vendors will be required to pay an application fee when submitting bids or proposals for state contracts. The bill aims to improve public access to how state funds are spent on supplies and services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAdds vendor application fee to fund transparency website, enhancing fiscal accountability and revenue management per bill's revenue subject and cost-offset mechanism.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 483: Revise laws to reduce property taxes while preserving the current 95 school equalization mills

HB 483 aims to reduce property taxes by revising school funding laws, while preserving the existing 95 school equalization mills. The bill fixes state and county school equalization mills and vocational-technical education mills, and exempts school levies from general property tax increase limits. It also increases guaranteed tax base multipliers for fiscal year 2026 and raises state reimbursement rates for school transportation, which helps lower local property tax burdens. Additionally, the bill requires reports from the Office of Public Instruction and Department of Revenue on the impacts of property reappraisal on school funding and property taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly reduces property taxes through revised school funding laws, exempts school levies from tax limits, and raises state reimbursement rates to lower local property tax burdens while preserving school funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPreserves 95 school equalization mills and raises state reimbursement rates for school transportation, reducing local property tax burden while maintaining school funding stability.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly increases state reimbursement rates for school transportation, directly funding this transportation infrastructure component.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 140: Provide property tax assistance for law enforcement and firefighters injured in the line of duty

House Bill 140 establishes a property tax assistance program for certain first responders and their surviving spouses. It provides a reduction in residential property taxes for law enforcement officers and firefighters who were injured in the line of duty. Unmarried surviving spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty are also eligible for this assistance. The amount of the tax reduction is determined by the applicant's income, with lower incomes receiving a greater benefit. Eligibility requires the property to be the primary residence and the first responder to meet specific criteria related to their line-of-duty injury or death.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax reduction for first responders and spouses, with greater benefit for lower incomes, aligning with tax relief for middle/lower income.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides property tax relief for law enforcement officers injured in duty, directly supporting personnel welfare within criminal justice system.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 409: Generally revise laws related to the department of commerce

SB 409 revises laws related to the Department of Commerce and changes how revenues from the lodging facility use tax are distributed. The bill modifies the allocation of these tax proceeds among various state programs and entities, including the Montana historical society, state parks, and regional tourism corporations. A key provision expands and permanently establishes the program providing emergency lodging for victims of domestic violence or human trafficking, funded by a portion of these tax revenues. It also adjusts specific uses for funds allocated directly to the Department of Commerce, such as for the renovation of the Miles City train depot.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds emergency lodging program for victims via lodging tax revenue allocation, expanding permanent funding for essential services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 550: Revise taxation of of certain telecommunications property

SB 550 revises property tax laws by expanding the definition of "Class five property" to include certain telecommunications property. This change directly affects telecommunications companies that provide services exclusively to rural areas, smaller cities and towns with populations of 1,200 or less, or those operating in three or fewer counties. Their property will now be classified under Class five, which is taxed at 3% of its market value. The bill takes immediate effect and applies retroactively.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClassifies telecom property under 3% tax rate, reducing burden for rural telecom companies, providing tax relief.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 732: Establish prompt cost report reimbursement act

HB 732, the "Prompt Cost Report Reimbursement Act," revises how the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services reimburses critical access hospitals participating in the state's Medicaid program. The bill requires the department to perform a tentative settlement and make interim payments to these hospitals within 240 days of a cost report being submitted to the Medicare administrative contractor. A final settlement and adjustment will occur after the Medicare administrative contractor completes its full review or audit. This process aims to align Montana Medicaid's reimbursement with Medicare's, ensuring more timely payments to critical access hospitals for services rendered.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates timely Medicaid reimbursements under appropriations process, promoting fiscal responsibility in state budget execution for healthcare funding.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates timely Medicaid reimbursements to critical access hospitals, preventing financial strain and ensuring continued healthcare service provision.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes