Budget & Taxes

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 27: Remove automatic agricultural classification for certain parcels

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCloses agricultural tax loophole by requiring higher income thresholds and application process, increasing tax revenue from non-qualifying parcels through revised classification.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 864: Authorize transfers and other necessary measure to implement HB 2 section E

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents school funding reductions by transferring excess funds between accounts, maintaining essential education appropriations per bill's implementation of HB 2 section E.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents school aid reductions by transferring excess funds to maintenance accounts and includes inflation adjustments for community college funding, directly protecting educational resources.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 920: Provide property tax exemption for senior care facilities and housing

HB 920 establishes a temporary property tax exemption for new senior care facilities and housing development projects. Tax-exempt non-profit organizations sponsoring these projects must first petition a local government, which determines if there is a "compelling need" for the project through a public hearing. If approved by the local government, the sponsor can then apply to the department of revenue for the exemption. This bill aims to encourage the development of various affordable housing and care options for seniors aged 55 or 62 and older.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax exemption for senior care facilities, reducing tax burden for affordable housing development.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tax exemption for senior care facilities to encourage development of affordable housing, directly improving access to senior healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax exemption for senior housing development, explicitly aiming to encourage affordable housing construction through local need assessments.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 10: Long-range information technology appropriations

HB 10 appropriates over $39 million for various information technology (IT) capital projects across multiple state agencies for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. It transfers funds from the general fund to the Long-Range Information Technology Program (LRITP) account to support these initiatives. The bill funds projects such as cybersecurity enhancements, system modernizations, and new business applications for departments like Administration, Corrections, and Public Health and Human Services. All funded projects require approval from the chief information officer and budget director for their design, implementation, and data security plans, emphasizing safeguards against unauthorized access and promoting data sharing among agencies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesHB 10 appropriates $39M for IT capital projects via state budget transfers, directly funding essential state IT infrastructure modernization and cybersecurity under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds cybersecurity enhancements and IT modernization, directly advancing technology infrastructure per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 515: Generally revise laws relating to school facilities consolidating two existing state special revenue accounts

HB 515 revises state laws concerning funding for school facilities and technology, directly affecting school districts across the state. The bill consolidates two existing state special revenue accounts and increases the amount and multiplier in the state's major maintenance aid formula. These changes are intended to provide more funding to school districts for significant upkeep projects without impacting property taxpayers. Additionally, it revises statutes related to state school technology payments and allows natural resource development payments to support state major maintenance aid and debt service assistance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases school maintenance funding via revised aid formula without raising property taxes, aligns with fiscal responsibility and public service funding.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases school facility funding via revised maintenance aid formula, directly supporting K-12 infrastructure improvements without taxpayer impact.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 9: Cultural and aesthetic grants

HB 9 appropriates funds for cultural and aesthetic projects across Montana for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. It allocates $30,000 from the cultural and aesthetic projects trust fund to the Montana Historical Society for capitol complex artwork care. Additionally, it appropriates $953,500 from the same fund to the Montana Arts Council, which will award grants to numerous listed cultural and artistic organizations. Grant recipients are required to acknowledge that the funding originates from coal tax placed into Montana's Cultural and Aesthetic Projects Trust Fund. Any unspent grant money will revert to the trust fund after June 30, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $953,500 from trust fund to arts council for grants, directly funding cultural programs via state finance appropriations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 908: Generally revise employee tax credit laws to include apprentices

This bill expands Montana's job growth incentive tax credit program to include apprentices working in the construction industry. It amends state tax laws to officially classify construction apprentices as "qualifying new employees" for the purpose of calculating tax credits when employers hire them. Companies hiring apprentices in construction can now receive the same annual tax credit benefits as those hiring other new employees, provided the apprentices meet specific wage and employment duration requirements. The legislation also updates administrative procedures for how the Department of Labor and Industry processes credit applications and audits employer claims. These changes are set to remain in effect through December 31, 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax credit program for apprentices, promoting job growth and economic development through fiscal incentives.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands tax incentives for hiring apprentices, strengthening workforce development and employment opportunities in construction.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 231: Revise property tax rates for certain property

HB 231 revises property tax laws by establishing reduced tax rates for certain class four residential and commercial properties. It provides a lower tax rate for qualifying owner-occupied principal residences and long-term rental properties, as well as for a portion of commercial property value. For principal residences, some owners will automatically qualify for the reduced rate for tax years 2025 and 2026 based on prior tax rebates or assistance programs. Beginning in tax year 2027, all owners seeking these reduced rates must apply to the department and meet specific eligibility criteria, such as demonstrating occupancy for a principal residence or rental periods for long-term rentals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduced property tax rates for qualifying owner-occupied residences provide tax relief, aligning with support for middle-income fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingReduces property taxes for owner-occupied residences and long-term rentals, lowering costs and supporting housing affordability for qualifying homeowners.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 6: Renewable resource grants

HB 6 implements the Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program by appropriating funds to the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC). The bill allocates specific amounts for various grant types, including emergency projects, planning, irrigation development, private projects, and nonpoint source pollution reduction. Additionally, it appropriates $5.25 million for prioritized infrastructure grant projects to specific cities, towns, and water districts for improvements to wastewater systems, drinking water infrastructure, and stormwater control. Funds for these prioritized projects are awarded in a specified order until available money is expended.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5.25M for infrastructure grants via DNRC, directly funding state budget priorities without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyAllocates funds for renewable resource grants and infrastructure projects, directly advancing clean energy initiatives per bill title and summary.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds nonpoint source pollution reduction and wastewater infrastructure, directly advancing environmental protection through targeted grants and conservation-focused allocations.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 129: Provide income tax benefit to support emergency response volunteers

HB 129 provides an income tax benefit for volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency care providers in Montana. The bill allows these "full-service volunteers" to subtract a specific amount from their taxable income. This deduction is designed to increase annually with an inflation factor. The legislation amends existing state tax code to implement these changes, with a delayed effective date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax deduction for volunteer emergency responders, reducing taxable income, a form of tax relief for lower/middle income volunteers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes