Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HB 166: Revise Montana historical society laws

HB 166 removes the termination dates for two specific financial accounts: the Montana Historical Society Membership Special Revenue Account and the Montana Original Governor's Mansion Special Revenue Account. This action allows these accounts, which support the Montana Historical Society and the Governor's Mansion, to continue operating indefinitely without a previously scheduled end date. The bill achieves this by repealing Section 6, Chapter 423, Laws of 2015, which originally established these termination dates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents defunding of two specific accounts by removing termination dates, supporting continued budget allocation for historical society and mansion programs.70% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

passed both · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HJ 1: Resolution urging Congress to fully fund law enforcement in Indian Country

House Joint Resolution 1 (HJ 1) is a resolution from the Montana Legislature urging the United States Congress to fully fund public safety and law enforcement agencies and programs within Montana's Indian reservations. It also calls on the U.S. Department of Justice to collaborate with the Department of the Interior and consult with tribal governments to improve the administration and funding of tribal justice systems, including courts and victim services. The resolution further invites Montana's tribal governments and requests the Governor to send supporting communications to Congress, which the Montana Secretary of State will then compile and forward.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly urges full federal funding for law enforcement and tribal justice systems, directly advocating for increased government spending on essential public safety programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly urges full funding for tribal law enforcement and justice systems (courts, victim services), directly strengthening criminal justice infrastructure per resolution language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

passed both · Montana · Senate May 5, 2025

SJ 27: Joint resolution urging Congress to act on brucellosis vaccines for livestock

Senate Joint Resolution 27 urges the United States Congress to take action regarding livestock brucellosis vaccinations. The resolution highlights the impact of brucellosis on cattle and bison, the lack of affordable treatments, and a current shortage of the only U.S.-produced vaccine. It asks Congress to enact legislation that expands vaccine availability, requires assistance to states for rapid outbreak response, and provides funding for preventative vaccination programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly requests Congress provide funding for livestock vaccination programs, advancing government spending on agricultural health initiatives.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

Track

signed · Montana · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 337: Revise income tax laws to lower income taxes

HB 337 revises Montana's income tax laws, affecting individual taxpayers and certain estates or trusts. The bill aims to lower income taxes by adjusting the state's tax brackets. It increases the amount of Montana taxable income taxed at lower rates and reduces the highest income tax rate. Additionally, the bill revises the tax rates and income thresholds applied to net long-term capital gains.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly lowers income tax rates by adjusting brackets and reducing top rate, providing tax relief for individuals and estates per its summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 495: Eliminate the tobacco prevention advisory board

Senate Bill 495 eliminates the Tobacco Prevention Advisory Board. The bill repeals the specific section of law that established this board. It also amends existing statute to remove the board from the list of entities funded by state special revenue accounts, which are primarily used for tobacco disease prevention programs and the Children's Health Insurance Program. The direct effect is the dissolution of the advisory board, which previously provided guidance for these programs.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDefunds tobacco prevention and CHIP programs by removing advisory board from state special revenue accounts, directly eliminating funding streams.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareDissolves tobacco prevention advisory board, removing it from state funding lists for tobacco disease prevention programs, directly defunding public health initiatives.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 228: Revise laws related to public charging stations for electric vehicles

SB 228 revises laws related to public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, affecting EV owners and charging station operators. The bill imposes a 3-cent per kilowatt-hour tax on electricity delivered to public charging stations, with specific effective dates for new and existing stations. It mandates that all public charging stations install a separate electric meter, with the owner responsible for installation costs. Additionally, the bill eliminates a future 30% reduction in state registration fees for electric vehicles. Public charging station operators are also required to register with the state and disclose their charging rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 3-cent/kWh tax on EV charging stations, directly increasing tax revenue under taxation policy for transportation infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates EV charging infrastructure improvements with tax for regulation, supporting renewable energy adoption and clean transportation infrastructure expansion.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes regulations and funding mechanisms for EV charging infrastructure, directly promoting sustainable transportation adoption through public charging station requirements and tax structure.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 357: Provide funding for middle school career and technical education

HB 357 provides state funding specifically for career and technical education (CTE) programs in middle schools, junior high schools, and 7th and 8th-grade programs. It directs the Superintendent of Public Instruction to annually distribute these funds to eligible elementary and K-12 school districts. The bill appropriates $100,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 to support these programs. The Superintendent will adopt rules to ensure equitable distribution and proper use of the funds, enhancing existing federal support without school size restrictions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100,000 from general fund for middle school CTE programs, directly increasing state budget allocation for education as per Appropriations subject.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $100k for middle school CTE funding, directly advancing vocational education programs through state financial support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 37: Clarify calculations for significant enrollment increases

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill clarifies state aid calculations for school funding, ensuring additional state budget allocations for districts meeting enrollment criteria, directly supporting education program funding within fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies enrollment calculation to trigger additional state aid when enrollment exceeds 110% of prior budget limit, directly advancing school funding mechanisms.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 35: Clarify enrollment counts for early literacy jumpstart program

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClarifies enrollment counts for state funding allocation in education programs, ensuring proper budget distribution for early literacy initiatives without altering tax policies.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies funding calculation for early literacy programs, ensuring proper state funding allocation without requiring out-of-district tuition, advancing educational access and program participation.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 89: Provide deadline to file for property tax relief from a disaster

HB 89 amends Montana's property tax law to require taxpayers to file claims for disaster-related property tax relief within 2 years of a natural disaster destroying their property. This directly affects Montana homeowners and property owners who suffer damage from events like fires, floods, or earthquakes (including fires regardless of origin, unless arson is convicted). The key provision establishes a clear deadline for filing claims, replacing the previous lack of time limit, and clarifies how tax adjustments are calculated based on the days property existed before and after the disaster. The bill takes immediate effect upon the Governor's signature, which occurred on April 7, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnables timely access to existing property tax relief for disaster victims, facilitating tax benefits without altering rates or funding.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes