Budget & Taxes

died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 461: Revise department of commerce lodging facility use tax distribution and allowable state funded tourism promotion laws

Montana bill LC 461 revises how lodging facility use tax revenue is distributed, directly affecting the Department of Commerce, regional tourism groups, and state agencies. The bill requires 60.2% of the tax revenue (after a 4% deduction for state agency lodging costs) to fund tourism programs through the Department of Commerce, with specific allocations: 28.6% for tourism media and promotions, 14.3% for rural and tribal tourism, 15.3% for tourism grants, and smaller portions for historical sites, parks, and emergency lodging. It also mandates that cities or regions receiving funds must submit approved marketing plans, or funds redirect to regional tourism corporations. The bill repeals outdated language (Section 90-1-122, MCA) and adds reporting requirements for heritage preservation funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates 60.2% of lodging tax revenue to fund tourism programs via Department of Commerce, directly managing tax distribution for public services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 3807: Reinstating the longevity status for certain state employees

LC 3807 aimed to restore a pay benefit for certain state employees who had lost eligibility for longevity pay - a compensation increase based on long service. The bill would have amended state policies to reinstate this benefit for the affected employees. However, the bill did not advance beyond the drafting stage and was not introduced for legislative consideration. It died in process on May 23, 2025, without becoming law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill would restore employee longevity pay requiring additional state funding (State Finance subject), increasing government spending on personnel.90% confidence

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1868: Authorize additional funding for the coal trust multi-family home loan program

This bill (LC 1868) sought to increase funding for an existing program that provides low-interest loans to build or purchase multi-family housing in communities impacted by coal industry decline. The program uses dedicated funds from the coal trust, which was established to support economic recovery in former coal regions. The additional funding would have expanded the program’s capacity to assist residents and developers in these areas. However, the bill died in committee on May 27, 2025, without becoming law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly seeks increased appropriations from coal trust funds to expand housing program, aligning with budget support indicators for funding essential economic recovery initiatives.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly increases funding for low-interest multi-family housing loans in coal-impacted communities, directly advancing affordable housing development through dedicated coal trust funds.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages

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signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 611: Generally revise salaries for certain elected officials

HB 611 revises the process for determining the salaries of several elected state officials in Montana, including the Governor, Attorney General, and State Auditor. The Department of Administration is required to conduct a biennial salary survey comparing these officials' salaries to those in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Idaho. If the average salary from the surveyed states is higher, that average will become the new salary for the Montana official, effective July 1 of the following year. This bill also clarifies that the State Auditor serves as the ex officio Commissioner of Insurance and Securities, with the salary changes for the State Auditor taking effect on January 1, 2028.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill adjusts state officials' salaries via regional comparison, directly impacting state budget allocations for public employees.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 329: Make the Montana ammunition act permanent

HB 329 aims to encourage the formation of ammunition component manufacturing businesses in Montana. It establishes various state tax exemptions for qualified manufacturers, including property, individual income, corporate income, and other business-related taxes. To receive these exemptions, manufacturers must make their products available to in-state consumers at prices no higher than those for out-of-state purchasers. Additionally, the bill provides individual and corporate income tax exemptions to investors and lenders who provide loans to these eligible ammunition component manufacturers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax exemptions for corporate, property, and individual income taxes for ammunition manufacturers, constituting tax relief that aligns with support indicators for tax policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 341: Revise laws relating to brain injuries

HB 341 revises how funds are collected and used to support individuals and families, including military service personnel, living with traumatic brain injuries. It changes the existing voluntary donation for traumatic brain injury awareness during motor vehicle registration to an automatic $1 donation, from which individuals can opt out. The collected funds will be used by the Department of Public Health and Human Services for TBI prevention, education, and recovery support, and county treasurers must post notices explaining this automatic donation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates mandatory $1 donation for TBI programs, allocating funds to public health services via new revenue stream95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExplicitly includes military service personnel in TBI support funding, advancing veterans' healthcare access through mandatory donations for recovery programs.90% confidence

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 843: Create Montana emergency solutions grant for rapid re-housing

HB 843 aimed to establish a Montana emergency solutions grant to help individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It proposed appropriating $1 million annually for fiscal years 2025 and 2026 from the state's general fund to the Department of Public Health and Human Services. These funds would supplement federal emergency solutions grants for rapid re-housing assistance. The bill would have allowed for rental assistance up to 150% of the fair market rent for program participants with incomes below 80% of the area median income.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $1M annually from state general fund for homelessness housing, directly funding an essential public service through state budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates $1M annual grant for rapid re-housing assistance to prevent homelessness, directly funding housing solutions for vulnerable populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Renters

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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

Sub-Topics Income Tax

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 837: Establish retired teacher induction and mentoring program

HB 837 establishes a statewide Retired Teacher Induction and Mentoring Program to support new teachers by pairing them with retired teachers from the same school district. School districts can optionally participate, matching a new teacher with a former teacher for up to three months of guidance. Participating districts compensate retired teachers hourly for up to 36 hours, and the Office of Public Instruction then reimburses these costs. The program, funded by an annual $100,000 state appropriation, aims to provide new teachers with support such as classroom feedback, administrative assistance, and help with district policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly funds a new program via $100,000 state appropriation, directly advancing state budget allocation for education initiatives.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes state-funded program pairing new teachers with retired mentors, reimbursing districts for costs. Directly supports teacher development and retention, a core education policy objective.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 864: Authorize transfers and other necessary measure to implement HB 2 section E

House Bill 864 implements provisions related to education funding and administration across various institutions. It expands the use of the School Facility and Technology Account, allowing excess funds to be transferred to the School Major Maintenance Aid Account to prevent aid reductions for schools. For community colleges, the bill revises definitions and mechanisms for calculating state general fund appropriations, incorporating inflationary adjustments and changes in full-time equivalent (FTE) student numbers. It also increases payments for resident nonbeneficiary students at tribal colleges and mandates a study on interlibrary resource sharing programs and the Office of Public Instruction.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents school funding reductions by transferring excess funds between accounts, maintaining essential education appropriations per bill's implementation of HB 2 section E.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPrevents school aid reductions by transferring excess funds to maintenance accounts and includes inflation adjustments for community college funding, directly protecting educational resources.92% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget