This bill expands Montana's Best Beginnings scholarship program to provide direct financial aid to child-care workers employed at licensed day-care centers or registered family/group day-care homes. It removes standard income eligibility requirements for these workers (previously only applied to families) and allocates $5.5 million annually from the general fund starting July 2025 to fund these scholarships. The program now specifically supports child-care workers through this new funding stream, separate from the existing family-focused scholarship component.
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.
HB 339 would change Montana's school funding formula to provide 6th graders in accredited middle schools with the same per-pupil funding rate as 7th and 8th graders - currently, 6th graders receive lower elementary school funding. The bill amends Montana Code Sections 20-9-306 and 20-9-311 to eliminate this disparity, directly affecting school districts operating middle schools with 6th graders. It aims to align funding with accreditation standards, enabling middle schools to offer expanded programs like career and technical education. The policy change would adjust state education funding calculations for these districts without altering school structures.
SB 204 would have limited most voter-approved property tax levies (mill levies) to a 10-year duration without requiring reapproval by voters. It directly affects local governments - including school districts, cities, and counties - that collect property taxes, requiring them to seek voter reapproval before existing levies expire. Key provisions include setting termination dates for all levies after 10 years (unless exceptions apply) and listing specific exceptions for school levies, community colleges, law enforcement, fire protection, and emergency medical services. The bill aimed to ensure ongoing voter oversight of property tax rates while maintaining stability for essential public services. (Note: The bill died in process on May 23, 2025, and did not become law.)
SB 531 would provide Montana residents a refundable state income tax credit for purchasing a firearm safe, up to $300 per tax year. To qualify, the safe must meet strict security standards (e.g., 10,000+ lock combinations, 1/2-inch steel bolts, certified by a nationally recognized lab) and fully contain firearms. The credit directly affects individual taxpayers who buy qualifying safes, with unused credit paid back if their tax liability is less than the claimed amount. The bill aims to encourage safe storage but does not change existing firearm laws. It would apply to tax years beginning January 1, 2026, though it died in committee in 2025.
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 173 proposes two main tax relief measures: a new "workforce renter's tax credit" for Montana renters under 62 with household income under $45,000 who pay rent equivalent to property taxes (with rent at least 30% of earned income), offering credits up to $1,750 based on rent-to-income ratio; and an increased residential property tax credit for elderly homeowners, including inflation adjustments to prevent the credit from losing value over time. The bill specifically allows qualifying teachers to exclude certain non-teaching income when calculating the renter credit. It directly affects low-to-moderate-income renters and elderly homeowners, providing them direct tax relief through refundable credits. The bill was introduced but died in committee in May 2025.
