HB 870 proposed to allocate surplus state revenues. It aimed to provide a one-time-only appropriation of $120,000 from the general fund to the Department of Justice. This funding was intended to address recruitment and retention challenges at the Montana State Crime Lab. The appropriation was designated for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026, with any unexpended funds reverting to the general fund.
HB 894 proposes to revise the method for appraising property for tax purposes in Montana. For most taxable property, its market value would be determined by calculating an average of its market value over a 10-year period. This calculation would specifically exclude the highest and lowest yearly values from that decade. This change directly affects property owners by altering the valuation method used for their property tax assessments.
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.
HB 366 proposed to appropriate a total of $5 million from the state's general fund to the Department of Justice over two fiscal years, starting July 1, 2025. This funding was intended to reimburse Lake County. The reimbursement was for the county's role in assuming felony criminal jurisdiction over members of federally recognized tribes and the Indian territory of the Flathead Indian reservation, a responsibility undertaken due to Public Law 280. The bill indicated that this appropriation was meant to be an ongoing part of the state budget until Montana ends its participation in Public Law 280.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
House Bill 864 implements provisions related to education funding and administration across various institutions. It expands the use of the School Facility and Technology Account, allowing excess funds to be transferred to the School Major Maintenance Aid Account to prevent aid reductions for schools. For community colleges, the bill revises definitions and mechanisms for calculating state general fund appropriations, incorporating inflationary adjustments and changes in full-time equivalent (FTE) student numbers. It also increases payments for resident nonbeneficiary students at tribal colleges and mandates a study on interlibrary resource sharing programs and the Office of Public Instruction.
