This bill revises how Montana allocates tobacco settlement proceeds and special state revenue funds to support Medicaid and health services for children, adults who are aged, blind, or disabled. It designates 32% of tobacco settlement money for statewide tobacco prevention programs aimed at keeping children from starting and helping adults quit, while using 17% to match federal funds for programs like the Children's Health Insurance Program and home and community-based services for elderly or disabled residents. The legislation also establishes a special revenue account to cover costs associated with expanded health insurance enrollment and allows the state to adjust eligibility requirements for children's health insurance if funding is insufficient. These changes directly affect state funding streams for public health initiatives and Medicaid-related services without altering existing benefit structures.
This bill updates Montana's fire suppression account by removing specific date references from statutory appropriations and establishes new reporting requirements for the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. The legislation allows the state treasurer to automatically transfer funds to the account when the general fund balance exceeds a certain threshold, while also permitting the use of excess account balances for specific fire-related purposes such as fuel reduction, forest restoration, and equipment grants. Additionally, the department must submit annual reports detailing how funds are spent across different categories, and the changes take effect immediately upon passage.
This bill revises annual and one-time registration fees for various motor vehicles, including cars, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, and motor homes, directly affecting vehicle owners in Montana. It lowers fees for most light vehicles, trailers, and motorcycles while introducing a surcharge for expensive luxury vehicles and motor homes valued over $150,000 and $300,000 respectively. The bill also adjusts fees based on vehicle age, weight, and usage type, and maintains safety fees for motorcycles and quadricycles. These changes amend existing sections of the Montana Code Annotated to update the fee structure.
This bill establishes a specific reimbursement rate for Medicaid-covered services provided by physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, and occupational therapists in Montana. It sets the initial conversion factor at $39.56 for fiscal year 2026 and requires annual increases of at least the percentage change in the consumer price index for medical care. The legislation also updates state legal definitions to clarify terms like conversion factor, relative value unit, and policy adjuster used in calculating these payments. These changes take effect on July 1, 2025, and apply to all Medicaid providers of the specified therapy services.
This bill creates a Montana income tax deduction for volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency care providers who serve as full-service volunteers. The key provision allows these individuals to subtract their volunteer service income from their Montana taxable income, with the deduction amount adjusted annually based on inflation. The legislation amends existing state tax code to establish this new benefit and includes a delayed effective date for implementation. This change directly affects volunteer emergency responders in Montana who currently pay taxes on income earned while serving without compensation.
This bill creates a Montana income tax credit for individuals who volunteer as emergency first responders, such as volunteer firefighters, emergency medical service members, and air search and rescue volunteers. The credit allows eligible taxpayers to receive up to $1,500, calculated at $15 per hour of active volunteer service, and is refundable, meaning it can be received even if the taxpayer owes no state income tax. To claim the credit, volunteers must submit proof of their service hours to the state tax department. Additionally, the bill adds this tax credit to a list of credits that the revenue interim committee must review every eight years to assess their effectiveness and impact on taxpayers.
This bill allows Montana to keep any interest or income earned on $12 million in workforce housing funds instead of returning it to the general fund. The money is designated for building or buying housing for state employees who work at facilities housing inmates or behavioral health patients in smaller counties. Key provisions include using funds to lower construction costs, provide matching loans, discount housing prices for eligible workers, or purchase housing that will be privately owned within ten years. The change applies retroactively to interest earned since June 14, 2023, and takes effect immediately upon passage.
This bill revises Montana's income tax structure by raising the income thresholds at which higher tax rates apply and lowering the top tax rate. It directly affects all Montana taxpayers by increasing the amount of income taxed at the lower 4.7% rate and reducing the highest tax rate from 5.9% to 5.4% or 5.65% depending on filing status. The legislation also adjusts tax brackets for net long-term capital gains and includes provisions to automatically update tax brackets for inflation each year. These changes would apply to individual filers, heads of households, married individuals, estates, and trusts subject to Montana income tax.
This bill authorizes Montana's Community Choice School Commission to seek and receive public funding for its operations, in addition to its existing ability to accept private donations. The legislation amends state law to clarify that the commission can obtain public funds as long as they align with the commission's purposes of supporting choice schools. It also maintains the commission's current structure, which includes seven members appointed by various state officials, and allows the commission to use private gifts for either its own operations or to distribute to authorized choice schools. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and approval.
This bill updates income eligibility rules for Montana's Best Beginnings child care scholarship program, which helps families afford child care services. It requires the state to set income limits at no less than 185% of the federal poverty level or 85% of the state median income, whichever is higher, while also ensuring the maximum income cap does not exceed federal child care grant standards. The legislation includes a $17 million annual appropriation from the general fund to support the program starting July 1, 2025, and takes effect on that same date.
