HB 340 would have created Montana's BEST (Bolstering Educators' Support and Training) program to support teachers in their first three years of teaching. It required pairing new teachers with experienced mentors, providing $2,500 stipends for mentors and $600 stipends for new teachers (with $300 contributed by their school district), and allocating $1 million annually from state funds. The program aimed to improve teacher retention and student outcomes through structured training, regional gatherings, and data collection, with special focus on "impacted schools" as defined in existing law. The bill was vetoed by the Governor on June 19, 2025, so it did not become law.
HB 551 would have created a state program to replace funding for Montana school districts that eliminate small copayments for reduced-price school lunches and breakfasts. It aimed to remove financial barriers for families meeting federal income eligibility (for low-income meals) by providing $600,000 annually starting in 2025 to offset lost revenue. The bill required the state superintendent to administer the program and adopt rules, with funding intended to cover districts voluntarily removing fees. However, the bill was vetoed by the governor on June 19, 2025, so it did not become law.
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 526 establishes a grant program to fund tribal colleges in Montana developing community health aide and dental health aide training programs. The program provides up to $3 million per institution, including a $1 million startup grant and $500,000 annually for four years, to expand or create education programs qualifying graduates for federal certification. Tribal colleges receiving grants must report annually on program outcomes, including graduates, provider certifications, patient access metrics, and cost-effectiveness. The bill directly affects tribal colleges and aims to address healthcare disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native communities by increasing local provider capacity. It allocates $1.5 million from the general fund for the 2025-2027 biennium to support this initiative.
SB 171 requires that 10% of excess state general fund revenue, after meeting budget stability and capital projects fund thresholds, be transferred to the Montana coal severance tax permanent fund (coal trust fund). This bill amends Montana's budget law to direct a portion of surplus funds - specifically, funds exceeding established reserve levels - to the coal trust fund instead of remaining in the general fund. The transfer applies when the budget stabilization reserve fund and capital projects fund exceed 16% and 12% of general revenue appropriations, respectively. The coal trust fund, which supports coal-related programs, would receive this additional funding without altering the state's primary budget processes.
SB 159 would create an "Educational Opportunity Fund" within Montana's coal severance tax trust. It increases the annual cap on educational tax credits from $2 million to $5 million starting in 2024, with automatic annual increases of 20% plus 50% of fund earnings. This bill directly affects taxpayers who donate to school districts for innovative programs or to scholarship organizations, allowing them to claim larger tax credits. It also removes the previous sunset provision, making the credit program permanent. The bill amends existing tax code sections to implement these changes to educational funding.
SB 323 would reduce Montana's top individual income tax rate from 5.9% to 4.9% for most taxpayers, including married couples filing jointly, heads of household, and single filers. It also increases the state's Earned Income Tax Credit, providing greater tax relief for low-to-moderate income workers. The bill amends Montana's tax code (sections 15-30-2103 and 15-30-2318) to adjust tax brackets and credit amounts, with changes applying to income above specific thresholds ($41,000 for joint filers, $30,750 for heads of household, and $20,500 for others). The bill was tabled in committee and died in process without becoming law.
SB 287 creates the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust to manage volatile state revenues, including transferring funds to new specialized accounts like Montana Water Development, Better Local Bridges, and Early Childhood. It modifies property tax assistance by requiring homeowners to certify primary residences (with penalties for false claims) and directing county credits to eligible homeowners. The bill establishes rules for distributing trust interest income to state accounts, limits volatile revenue transfers during budget deficits, and revises pension fund transfers. These changes directly affect state finance agencies, local governments, and homeowners applying for property tax credits. The bill also creates a Montana Housing Trust and updates reporting requirements for state funds.
SB 2 clarifies how local governments calculate property tax levies when a tax increment financing (TIF) district ends. It specifies that the value previously held in the TIF district (the "increment") must be treated as "newly taxable property" for tax calculations in the year of termination or the following year. This directly affects Montana local governments, as it ensures they can include this value when determining property tax revenues under existing levy formulas, without treating it as new construction or annexation. The bill amends Montana Code Annotated sections 15-10-420 and 20-9-336 to define these rules clearly.
