Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 409: Generally revise laws related to the department of commerce

SB 409 revises laws related to the Department of Commerce and changes how revenues from the lodging facility use tax are distributed. The bill modifies the allocation of these tax proceeds among various state programs and entities, including the Montana historical society, state parks, and regional tourism corporations. A key provision expands and permanently establishes the program providing emergency lodging for victims of domestic violence or human trafficking, funded by a portion of these tax revenues. It also adjusts specific uses for funds allocated directly to the Department of Commerce, such as for the renovation of the Miles City train depot.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds emergency lodging program for victims via lodging tax revenue allocation, expanding permanent funding for essential services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 550: Revise taxation of of certain telecommunications property

SB 550 revises property tax laws by expanding the definition of "Class five property" to include certain telecommunications property. This change directly affects telecommunications companies that provide services exclusively to rural areas, smaller cities and towns with populations of 1,200 or less, or those operating in three or fewer counties. Their property will now be classified under Class five, which is taxed at 3% of its market value. The bill takes immediate effect and applies retroactively.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesClassifies telecom property under 3% tax rate, reducing burden for rural telecom companies, providing tax relief.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

vetoed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 881: Revise medicaid buy-in program to include children with disabilities

HB 881 proposed to revise the existing Medicaid buy-in program to include children with disabilities. This would expand eligibility for the program, allowing more children with disabilities to access Medicaid services. The bill also included an appropriation and extended rulemaking authority for the relevant department to implement these changes. It aimed to amend specific sections of Montana law concerning Medicaid administration and eligibility requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill includes specific appropriation to fund expanded Medicaid eligibility for children with disabilities, directly advancing essential public health funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid eligibility for children with disabilities, increasing healthcare access through new appropriations and policy changes.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

vetoed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 880: Establish a stabilization fund for medicaid

HB 880 establishes the Medicaid Stabilization Reserve Account, a state special revenue fund designed to help maintain Medicaid benefits during state revenue shortfalls. The account would be primarily funded by transferring any unused state general fund appropriations for Medicaid at the end of a fiscal year. Funds from this account could only be appropriated by the legislature for state Medicaid matching funds after the budget director certifies a projected general fund deficit. This mechanism aims to mitigate expenditure reductions in the Medicaid program, directly affecting the stability of services for beneficiaries. The bill also includes an initial appropriation of $50,000 for state Medicaid matching funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Medicaid Stabilization Reserve Account using unused general fund appropriations to maintain benefits during revenue shortfalls, protecting essential program funding through fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Medicaid Stabilization Reserve to maintain benefits during revenue shortfalls, preventing cuts to healthcare coverage and ensuring continued funding for Medicaid services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

Track

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 732: Establish prompt cost report reimbursement act

HB 732, the "Prompt Cost Report Reimbursement Act," revises how the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services reimburses critical access hospitals participating in the state's Medicaid program. The bill requires the department to perform a tentative settlement and make interim payments to these hospitals within 240 days of a cost report being submitted to the Medicare administrative contractor. A final settlement and adjustment will occur after the Medicare administrative contractor completes its full review or audit. This process aims to align Montana Medicaid's reimbursement with Medicare's, ensuring more timely payments to critical access hospitals for services rendered.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates timely Medicaid reimbursements under appropriations process, promoting fiscal responsibility in state budget execution for healthcare funding.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates timely Medicaid reimbursements to critical access hospitals, preventing financial strain and ensuring continued healthcare service provision.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 567: Revise education laws related to multidistrict agreements

HB 567 revises education laws to increase flexibility for school districts to enter into "multidistrict agreements" for jointly funding and operating programs and services. These agreements allow two or more districts to share resources, staff, and services, and can now include private entities. Beginning in 2027, the bill offers a 50% increase in the total quality educator payment to school districts that establish comprehensive countywide multidistrict agreements encompassing all districts in a county. The aim is to enhance efficiency and resource sharing among districts across various functions like administration, instruction, and special education, without increasing local taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state funding via 50% educator payment boost for districts with countywide agreements, directly advancing school finance within state budget allocations.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides 50% increased funding for districts with countywide agreements, enhancing resource sharing and educator support through expanded multidistrict collaboration.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 544: Revise income tax laws for net operating loss carryovers

SB 544 revises Montana's individual income tax laws to allow taxpayers an election to account for certain past net operating losses. It directly affects individuals who had differences between their federal and Montana net operating loss carryovers before January 1, 2024. These taxpayers can choose to make a "transition adjustment" on their 2024 income tax return, filed by October 15, 2025, to address these discrepancies. If elected, this adjustment can reduce Montana taxable income for 2024 and up to seven subsequent years until the loss is fully utilized. The bill aims to provide a mechanism for individuals to claim losses not fully recognized under previous 2021 tax simplification legislation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllows taxpayers to reduce 2024 taxable income via transition adjustment for federal-Montana loss carryover discrepancies, providing tax relief.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 576: Revise funding for medicaid and health and support services to children and to adults who are aged, blind, and disabled

HB 576 revises the funding for Medicaid and health and support services for children and adults who are aged, blind, or disabled. The bill allows a portion of the state's annual tobacco settlement proceeds to be used as matching funds for federal programs, including the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), home visiting services, and specific Medicaid waivers. It also expands the uses of an existing state special revenue account, enabling its funds to similarly provide matching funds for these same services. These changes are designed to help secure federal funding for a range of health and support programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUses tobacco settlement proceeds as matching funds for Medicaid/CHIP, directly funding essential health services without new taxes or cuts.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates tobacco settlement funds to expand Medicaid/CHIP funding and health services for vulnerable populations, strengthening coverage and access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 855: Establish FWP wildlife highway crossings and accommodation account

House Bill 855 establishes a dedicated funding mechanism for projects aimed at reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions across Montana. It authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Commission to create a specialty license plate, with a $20 donation from its sale and renewal deposited into a new "Big Game and Wildlife Highway Crossings and Accommodations Account." Funds in this account, which also accepts gifts and grants, are statutorily appropriated to the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. These funds will be used for the design, construction, maintenance, and study of wildlife crossings and related accommodations on state roadways, improving safety for both drivers and wildlife.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated revenue stream ($20 license plate donations) and statutorily appropriates funds to wildlife safety projects, advancing budget allocation for public services.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentFunds wildlife highway crossings to reduce vehicle collisions, conserving wildlife habitats and reducing human-wildlife conflict through dedicated appropriations.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds wildlife highway crossings to reduce vehicle collisions, directly enhancing transportation safety through dedicated infrastructure projects.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 257: Generally revise Smith River permit laws

Senate Bill 257 revises the permit laws for the Smith River waterway. It increases the cost for nonresidents to purchase a bonus point for the Smith River permit lottery from $50 to $125. This change directly affects nonresidents applying for permits to float and camp on the Smith River. The additional revenue generated from these bonus points will be deposited into the Smith River corridor enhancement account, which funds projects to protect and improve the river's natural beauty, recreational values, fisheries, and wildlife habitat.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases nonresident permit fees (tax-like revenue) to fund Smith River corridor projects, directly allocating new revenue to a specific enhancement account.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill directs increased permit fees to Smith River corridor enhancement account funding projects to protect and improve river's natural beauty and recreation, directly advancing environmental conservation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes