Budget & Taxes

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 827: Revise social security income taxation

HB 827 aimed to revise the taxation of Social Security benefits at the state level in Montana. The bill proposed to modify how the federal calculation for taxing Social Security benefits is applied when determining an individual's state income tax. This change would have directly affected Montana residents receiving Social Security benefits by potentially altering the portion of those benefits subject to state income tax. The bill included provisions for a delayed effective and applicability date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill revises state tax on Social Security benefits, likely reducing tax burden for seniors (middle/lower income), aligning with tax relief indicator.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 700: Changing the amortization period for statewide DB retirement systems to 25 years

House Bill 700 (HB 700) proposes to shorten the maximum amortization period for statewide defined benefit public employee retirement systems from 30 years to 25 years. This change directly affects the funding requirements for various public employee retirement plans, including those for general public employees, judges, highway patrol officers, sheriffs, police officers, firefighters, and teachers. The bill specifies that contributions must be sufficient to cover future benefits and amortize unfunded liabilities over this shorter 25-year period. Additionally, it establishes that no new benefits can be added to these systems unless they can amortize within 25 years or less and are projected to be fully funded.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesShortens amortization period to 25 years, requiring higher annual state contributions to fund retirement systems, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentShortens retirement amortization period to protect public employee benefits (e.g., teachers, police) by ensuring faster funding of unfunded liabilities.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 320: Establish the Montana's academic prosperity program for scholars act

HB 320 establishes Montana's Academic Prosperity Program for Scholars (MAPPS) to offer educational options for eligible students aged 5-19. The program provides state income tax credits to individuals and corporations who donate to educational assistance accounts for participating students, and also to parents for their qualified education expenses. A program manager oversees these funds and their distribution for educational assistance, with guidance from a new MAPPS council. Students participating in MAPPS are exempt from public school compulsory enrollment requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides state income tax credits for education donations and expenses, directly advancing tax policy to fund educational programs through fiscal incentives.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates MAPPS program using tax credits to expand educational access and funding options for students aged 5-19 through donations and qualified expenses.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 604: Prohibit guaranteed income programs

House Bill 604, also known as the "Work Protection Act," aims to establish statewide uniformity by prohibiting local governments from creating or administering guaranteed income programs. The bill defines a guaranteed income program as one providing regular, unearned cash payments to individuals for any purpose, excluding programs requiring work or training. It prevents political subdivisions, such as counties and cities, from adopting related ordinances or rules. The Attorney General is authorized to issue cease and desist orders and pursue legal action against any local government that violates this prohibition.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits local guaranteed income programs, restricting government spending on unearned cash payments, thus opposing expanded public expenditure in budget management.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 812: Generally revise unemployment laws relating to non-professional employees of educational institutions

HB 812 aimed to revise state unemployment laws specifically concerning nonprofessional employees of educational institutions. Currently, employees in educational settings are generally denied unemployment benefits between academic terms if they have a reasonable assurance of returning to work. This bill proposed to allow nonprofessional employees of educational institutions to claim unemployment benefits during these interim periods, in alignment with federal law. The change would have enabled these specific workers to receive unemployment compensation during breaks when they might otherwise be ineligible.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands unemployment benefits eligibility, increasing state spending on social safety net program without tax changes95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands unemployment benefits for nonprofessional education employees during academic breaks, aligning with federal law and increasing access to worker benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 837: Establish retired teacher induction and mentoring program

HB 837 establishes a statewide Retired Teacher Induction and Mentoring Program to support new teachers by pairing them with retired teachers from the same school district. School districts can optionally participate, matching a new teacher with a former teacher for up to three months of guidance. Participating districts compensate retired teachers hourly for up to 36 hours, and the Office of Public Instruction then reimburses these costs. The program, funded by an annual $100,000 state appropriation, aims to provide new teachers with support such as classroom feedback, administrative assistance, and help with district policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly funds a new program via $100,000 state appropriation, directly advancing state budget allocation for education initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes state-funded program pairing new teachers with retired mentors, reimbursing districts for costs. Directly supports teacher development and retention, a core education policy objective.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 310: Establish grant program to increase community shelter capacity for homeless population

HB 310 proposed establishing a state matching grant program to increase community shelter capacity for the homeless population. Administered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services, these grants would help local governments and eligible nonprofit organizations. The funds would specifically target services for senior citizens, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, youth transitioning from foster care, and individuals with mental health or substance use disorders. Applicants would be required to provide matching funds and collaborate with existing homelessness service providers. The bill appropriated $2 million from the general fund for the program, which was set to operate from July 2025 to June 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes state matching grants (approp) for homeless shelter capacity, increasing public funding for essential social services targeting vulnerable populations.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly targets mental health services for homeless individuals with mental health disorders through state grant program.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes state grants to increase homeless shelter capacity, directly funding housing services for vulnerable groups including seniors, veterans, and those with mental health needs, addressing homelessness.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly targets veterans as a primary beneficiary group for grant-funded shelter services under the community shelter program, directly advancing veteran support through funding.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 370: Provide appropriation to the highway patrol pension fund

HB 370 proposed to appropriate $65 million from the state's general fund. This funding was designated as a one-time supplemental contribution to the Montana Highway Patrol Officers' Retirement System pension fund. The bill aimed to address a reported unfunded liability within the pension system. If enacted, it would have directly affected the financial stability of the pension fund for current and retired Montana Highway Patrol officers and their beneficiaries, with an effective date of July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $65M from general fund to address pension unfunded liability, directly funding essential public safety program and promoting fiscal stability.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 369: Create a county road maintenance district

HB 369 authorizes the creation of county road maintenance districts to maintain roads that were previously serviced by the county but owned by other entities. These districts can be formed when at least 66% of property owners in a proposed area petition the county commissioners. The districts are funded by assessing maintenance costs directly against the benefited properties within the district. The amount assessed by a district must then be subtracted from the county's general fund dedicated to road improvement or maintenance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill redirects road maintenance costs to property assessments, reducing county general fund burden via direct beneficiary funding, promoting fiscal responsibility in county finance.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates road maintenance districts to fund infrastructure, directly advancing highway maintenance under Transportation topic via dedicated funding mechanism.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 376: Require state agencies to provide timely information to legislators

HB 376 would have required state agencies to provide information requested by legislators within 5 legislative days during a session. If an agency failed to respond, a legislator could file a complaint with the appropriations committee. This committee would then hold a hearing and could vote to reduce the agency's budget by up to 5%. The hearing's outcome would be shared with the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, allowing for potential disciplinary action against the agency director.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill uses budget reductions (up to 5%) as enforcement for agency responsiveness, promoting fiscal accountability in appropriations management per subjects listed.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

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