HB 831 increases Montana's elderly homeowner and renter income tax credit to help low-to-moderate-income seniors. It raises the maximum credit from $1,150 to $1,400 and increases the household income threshold for eligibility from $35,000 to $50,000 before the credit phases out. The bill also requires annual inflation adjustments to maintain the credit's value and applies retroactively to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024. This directly benefits Montanans aged 65+ who own or rent homes and meet the updated income limits.
HB 861 allocates $1.1 million annually to Montana's Office of Public Instruction and $750,000 to the Department of Labor and Industry for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The funds will provide statewide access to a K-12 digital toolkit containing state standards-aligned instructional materials across all subjects, including career and technical education resources aligned with Montana industry needs. This bill directly affects Montana public schools and students by expanding access to digital learning tools. It establishes a permanent funding base for these resources, effective July 1, 2025, though it was vetoed and not enacted.
SB 537 revises Montana's marijuana tax revenue distribution, directing funds from the marijuana state special revenue account to new and existing state accounts. It requires transferring excess funds annually to specific accounts, including 12% to the HEART account for addiction treatment and mental health programs, 20% to wildlife habitat projects, and 14% to behavioral health initiatives. The bill also allocates funds for law enforcement canine training, sexual assault evidence kits, and homeless shelter support, while modifying existing transfer rules for agencies like the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. These changes apply to all state agencies receiving marijuana tax revenue under Montana law.
HB 182 creates a $5 million state grant program to fund capital projects, maintenance, repairs, and equipment for nonprofit senior citizen centers in Montana. The program directly affects nonprofit organizations serving residents aged 60+ who operate centers providing meals, education, or recreation (excluding housing facilities). Grants require a 1:1 matching contribution for projects over $25,000, with a maximum $250,000 per project and $350,000 total per county (capping two projects per county). Funding is appropriated from the general fund starting July 2025 and will expire June 30, 2031.
HB 4 is a procedural budget amendment bill that allows unspent funds from Montana’s fiscal year 2025 appropriations to continue into future fiscal years (2026-2027) for specific programs. It directly affects state agencies like the Judiciary, Department of Justice, Public Instruction, and Fish/Wildlife/Parks by extending authority for existing initiatives, such as treatment courts, election security grants, school relief funds, and wildlife monitoring projects. The bill’s key mechanism is permitting carryover of unused budget authority without new legislative action, ensuring continuity for ongoing programs. As a procedural budget measure, it does not create new spending but adjusts timing for existing allocations.
HB 924 creates the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust, funded by half of the state's unpredictable revenue (like capital gains or oil royalties) starting in 2027. Interest income from the trust is split: half distributes $15 million annually to five specific programs (disaster resiliency, property tax relief, water development, bridge repairs, and early childhood care), while the other half reinvests in pension funds and housing infrastructure. The bill establishes new accounts for these programs and sets rules for calculating volatile revenue using historical data to stabilize budgeting. It directly affects state budgeting, early childhood services, infrastructure projects, and pension systems through mandatory funding allocations.
HB 2, the General Appropriations Act of 2025, allocates $30.8 million in state funding for Montana's agencies during the 2025-2027 biennium. It directly affects all state agencies receiving funds, including the Legislative Services Division, Governor's Office, and Consumer Counsel, by specifying how money can be spent (e.g., "Biennial" funds for two years, "Restricted" funds for specific purposes). Key mechanisms include categorizing appropriations to control spending, requiring separate budget tracking for different fund types, and mandating clear reporting of personal services funding. The bill does not create new policies but establishes the financial framework for state operations during the biennium.
HB 832 creates a Montana state grant program to fund training for healthcare providers in nonmedication therapies for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The program, administered by the Department of Labor and Industry, awards grants to entities developing 2-year projects that train licensed providers (including Veterans Affairs-certified professionals) in these therapies, develop treatment protocols, and engage in community planning. It appropriates $600,000 from the state general fund for the 2025-2027 biennium as a one-time allocation, requiring grantees to report outcomes like providers trained, patients served, and treatment impact by 2026. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 536 revises Montana's contractor gross receipts tax by creating an exemption for certain individuals and businesses in good standing, requiring them to apply for the exemption. It specifically allows employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) companies to claim a credit against real property taxes, extending the timeframe to claim this credit from 5 to 7 years. The bill also clarifies that this credit can offset property taxes paid in Montana for business-related property. These changes apply to contractors with public contracts exceeding $80,000 and take effect January 1, 2026.
SB 150 creates a new "cigar bar room" license endorsement for existing alcohol licensees that also hold gambling licenses (e.g., casinos or gaming venues). It allows premium cigar smoking only in a designated, enclosed area with strict requirements: cigars must meet specific handmade criteria (no filters, 100% tobacco), the venue must generate at least 10% of annual revenue from cigar sales, and no other tobacco/vaping products may be smoked or sold there. The designated area must have proper ventilation, be separate from nonsmoking zones, and exclude minors under 21. The bill also exempts these cigar rooms from standard clean indoor air laws and requires a 2026 study on Montana’s gaming industry.
