Budget & Taxes

SB 177 authorizes the Community Choice School Commission to seek and receive public funding. The bill also clarifies the commission's existing ability to accept and spend gifts and donations from private individuals and entities. These changes directly impact the financial operations of the Community Choice School Commission, which is responsible for approving authorizers for choice schools across the state. This allows the commission to broaden its sources of financial support.

HB 476 establishes a grant program to fund the installation and maintenance of newborn safety devices. The Department of Public Health and Human Services will award competitive grants, up to $20,000 per applicant, to eligible fire departments, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies. The department is also responsible for creating rules for the application process and evaluation criteria. The bill appropriates $160,000 from the general fund for this program, which is effective July 1, 2025, and terminates on June 30, 2027.

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.

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.