Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 19, 2025

SB 542: Generally revise property tax laws

SB 542 generally revises property tax laws, affecting various property owners. The bill freezes property values for tax years 2025 and 2026 at their 2024 levels, unless a decrease is determined by the Department of Revenue. It provides a property tax rebate of up to $400 for principal residences based on 2024 property taxes paid, which taxpayers must claim between August 15 and October 1, 2025. Additionally, the legislation reduces tax rates for Class Three agricultural property and revises rates for Class Four residential and commercial properties, including lower rates for owner-occupied homes, long-term rentals, and a portion of commercial property value.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFreezes property values for 2025-2026, provides $400 rebates for primary residences, and reduces agricultural tax rates - direct tax relief measures.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 129: Provide income tax benefit to support emergency response volunteers

HB 129 provides an income tax benefit for volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency care providers in Montana. The bill allows these "full-service volunteers" to subtract a specific amount from their taxable income. This deduction is designed to increase annually with an inflation factor. The legislation amends existing state tax code to implement these changes, with a delayed effective date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax deduction for volunteer emergency responders, reducing taxable income, a form of tax relief for lower/middle income volunteers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 85: Reinstating former employer contributions for JRS, HPORS, SRS, GWPORS

HB 85 reinstates former employer contribution rates for four specific public employee retirement systems: the Judges', Highway Patrol Officers', Sheriffs', and Game Wardens' and Peace Officers' Retirement Systems. This directly impacts the governmental entities that employ these personnel and contribute to their pensions. The bill also amends the state's property tax levy calculation procedures, outlining how local governments determine their maximum mill levies based on factors like prior year assessments and newly taxable property. It specifically exempts certain levies, such as those funding the sheriffs' retirement system, from these new

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReinstates employer pension contributions, increasing state spending on public employee retirement systems, supporting fiscal responsibility for essential programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentReinstates employer pension contributions for public employees, protecting retirement benefits which fall under employment standards and worker benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 326: Generally revise laws related to MEDIA Act film tax credits

SB 326 revises Montana's MEDIA Act film tax credits, extending them through 2045 and increasing the aggregate credit limit. The bill provides additional tax credits for production companies that hire veterans and enrolled tribal members. It establishes a fee for unused allocated credits, with these funds directed to a new film industry workforce training account to support workforce development. These changes aim to expand job opportunities and encourage investment in Montana's media manufacturing sector.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends film tax credits through 2045, increases credit limits, adds credits for veteran/tribal hiring, and uses fees to fund workforce training - expanding tax incentives and directing funds for industry development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credits for hiring veterans/tribal members and funds workforce training, directly expanding employment opportunities and supporting labor development.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides tax credits for hiring veterans, directly incentivizing veteran employment through legislative funding mechanism.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 483: Revise laws to reduce property taxes while preserving the current 95 school equalization mills

HB 483 aims to reduce property taxes by revising school funding laws, while preserving the existing 95 school equalization mills. The bill fixes state and county school equalization mills and vocational-technical education mills, and exempts school levies from general property tax increase limits. It also increases guaranteed tax base multipliers for fiscal year 2026 and raises state reimbursement rates for school transportation, which helps lower local property tax burdens. Additionally, the bill requires reports from the Office of Public Instruction and Department of Revenue on the impacts of property reappraisal on school funding and property taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly reduces property taxes through revised school funding laws, exempts school levies from tax limits, and raises state reimbursement rates to lower local property tax burdens while preserving school funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPreserves 95 school equalization mills and raises state reimbursement rates for school transportation, reducing local property tax burden while maintaining school funding stability.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly increases state reimbursement rates for school transportation, directly funding this transportation infrastructure component.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 140: Provide property tax assistance for law enforcement and firefighters injured in the line of duty

House Bill 140 establishes a property tax assistance program for certain first responders and their surviving spouses. It provides a reduction in residential property taxes for law enforcement officers and firefighters who were injured in the line of duty. Unmarried surviving spouses of first responders killed in the line of duty are also eligible for this assistance. The amount of the tax reduction is determined by the applicant's income, with lower incomes receiving a greater benefit. Eligibility requires the property to be the primary residence and the first responder to meet specific criteria related to their line-of-duty injury or death.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax reduction for first responders and spouses, with greater benefit for lower incomes, aligning with tax relief for middle/lower income.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides property tax relief for law enforcement officers injured in duty, directly supporting personnel welfare within criminal justice system.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes 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 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 · 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