Budget & Taxes

SB 37 revises school funding laws by clarifying how significant enrollment increases are calculated for state aid payments. The bill specifies that these calculations must be made separately for each budget unit within a school district. A district becomes eligible for additional funding if its current October enrollment count, converted to ANB, exceeds its budget limit ANB from three years prior by 110% or more. The Superintendent of Public Instruction determines the payment amount, which districts can accept fully or partially to address costs associated with the enrollment growth.

This bill clarifies how school districts count enrollment for funding purposes when children participate in early literacy jumpstart programs. It specifies that children in these programs are counted as quarter-time enrollment for a district's Average Number Belonging (ANB) calculation, which determines state funding. The bill also states that if a child attends a jumpstart program in a district other than their resident district, no out-of-district attendance agreement or tuition is required. Additionally, it outlines reporting requirements for districts on program efficacy and mandates the superintendent of public instruction to monitor and report on these interventions.

HB 3 is a funding bill that allocates specific amounts to Montana state agencies for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and continues some funding into the 2025-2026 biennium. It provides $22.2 million to the Public Health and Human Services Division, $12.5 million to the State Public Defender's Conflict Division, $4.07 million to the Montana Highway Patrol, and other sums to agencies like Revenue, Corrections, and Fish and Wildlife. The bill directs these funds for existing agency operations, with unspent balances reverting to their respective funds. It became law immediately upon the governor's signature on April 7, 2025, without requiring additional legislative action. This is a routine budget measure affecting state agency operations, not a policy change impacting citizens.

SB 172 allows Montana resort communities and areas (designated under state law with populations under 3,500 that rely heavily on tourism) to use an additional 1% resort tax - previously restricted to infrastructure - specifically for workforce housing. The bill amends tax code sections to explicitly permit this new allocation, alongside existing infrastructure uses, for communities that qualify under the defined criteria. It does not create new taxes but changes how existing resort tax revenue may be spent, directly affecting designated resort districts and communities. The policy shift aims to address housing needs for local workers in tourism-dependent areas.