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 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.
HB 210 revises Montana's unemployment insurance program to enhance fraud prevention and adjust employer tax rates. It requires weekly checks against prison records, new hire databases, and motor vehicle records to verify claimant eligibility (affecting both claimants and employers). The bill creates a lower tax schedule for some employers, clarifies penalties for fraudulent claims (requiring repayment plus 50% penalty), and directs 70% of penalty funds to fraud detection efforts. These changes apply directly to Montana employers paying unemployment taxes and individuals claiming benefits under the state's program. The bill became law after Governor's signature on April 7, 2025.
HB 146 establishes new hunting license fees for sandhill cranes and swans in Montana. It adds $10 for resident and $50 for nonresident application fees for these species, plus $10 resident/$75 nonresident licenses for cranes and swans (requiring also a $5.50 migratory game bird license). All fees collected for these licenses and applications will fund Montana's wetland conservation efforts through the state special revenue account. The law takes effect March 1, 2026, after being signed by the Governor on April 7, 2025.
HB 13 revises pay and benefits for all Montana state employees, including a $1.00 hourly or 2.5% base salary increase (whichever is greater) effective July 1, 2025, plus one-time lump-sum payments based on work hours: $1,040 for full-time employees, $780 for 20-40 hours/week, and $520 for under 20 hours/week. It also adjusts per diem rates for travel, increasing daily meal allowances to $8.25 (breakfast), $9.25 (lunch), and $16.00 (dinner) for in-state travel. The bill applies broadly to all state employees and was enacted into law on March 27, 2025.
HB 29 requires Montana's Department of Revenue to review all tax-exempt properties (like those owned by nonprofits or religious organizations) at least once every eight years. It mandates the department to publicly post detailed maps showing each exempt property’s location, owner, legal description, exemption type, and value, organized by county. The law also requires the department to report biennially to the legislature on review results, including numbers of approved/denied exemptions and their estimated values. This bill directly affects property owners utilizing tax exemptions and increases transparency about which properties qualify for exemption under Montana law.
HB 19 requires local governments (like cities or counties) to hold a public hearing before using tax revenue from a tax increment financing district to pay for bonds that would extend the district's life beyond 15 years. This applies when a local government wants to pledge future tax revenue to fund bonds for urban renewal or economic development projects. The bill mandates that the local government must notify the county and school district where the project is located and hold the hearing to determine if extending the district is necessary to fulfill its development plan. The law takes effect for bond pledges made after its enactment date.
