Budget & Taxes

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 10: Long-range information technology appropriations

HB 10 appropriates over $39 million for various information technology (IT) capital projects across multiple state agencies for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. It transfers funds from the general fund to the Long-Range Information Technology Program (LRITP) account to support these initiatives. The bill funds projects such as cybersecurity enhancements, system modernizations, and new business applications for departments like Administration, Corrections, and Public Health and Human Services. All funded projects require approval from the chief information officer and budget director for their design, implementation, and data security plans, emphasizing safeguards against unauthorized access and promoting data sharing among agencies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesHB 10 appropriates $39M for IT capital projects via state budget transfers, directly funding essential state IT infrastructure modernization and cybersecurity under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds cybersecurity enhancements and IT modernization, directly advancing technology infrastructure per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Cybersecurity

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 55: Revising public utility resource planning laws

HB 55 revises the laws governing how public utilities plan for their customers' future energy needs. It requires public utilities to submit detailed resource plans every three years, including evaluations of renewable energy and demand-side management scenarios, and to hold more public meetings before submitting these plans. The bill establishes a special revenue account within the Department of Environmental Quality to fund an independent evaluator, paid for by fees charged to public utilities, who will assist in reviewing these plans. Additionally, the state commission can now engage independent consultants to evaluate utility plans, with these costs being recoverable in rates charged to customers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes special revenue account funded by utility fees to support independent evaluation, directly advancing fiscal oversight under appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates evaluation of renewable energy scenarios and demand-side management in utility planning, advancing renewable integration and efficiency standards.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires renewable energy evaluations in utility plans and funds DEQ independent evaluator via utility fees, advancing clean energy planning and environmental oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Utility Regulation

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 161: Establish a vending machine account in the special revenue fund

House Bill 161 establishes a new "vending machine account" within the state's special revenue fund for the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). This account will receive a percentage of income collected by DPHHS from vending machines located on federal and state properties that are not operated by blind vendors. The money in this account is statutorily appropriated to DPHHS, meaning the department can use these funds for specific program purposes consistent with federal law without needing further legislative approval. The bill is effective starting July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new revenue account within special fund for DPHHS programs, statutorily appropriating funds for specific health/social services per federal law.85% confidence

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 9: Cultural and aesthetic grants

HB 9 appropriates funds for cultural and aesthetic projects across Montana for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. It allocates $30,000 from the cultural and aesthetic projects trust fund to the Montana Historical Society for capitol complex artwork care. Additionally, it appropriates $953,500 from the same fund to the Montana Arts Council, which will award grants to numerous listed cultural and artistic organizations. Grant recipients are required to acknowledge that the funding originates from coal tax placed into Montana's Cultural and Aesthetic Projects Trust Fund. Any unspent grant money will revert to the trust fund after June 30, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $953,500 from trust fund to arts council for grants, directly funding cultural programs via state finance appropriations.90% confidence

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 334: Generally revise disaster and emergency laws

HB 334 sought to revise laws concerning disaster and emergency funding. The bill proposed to increase the statutory appropriation available to the Governor's office for declared emergencies from $16 million to $22 million per two-year period, effective July 1, 2025. It also would have allowed the Department of Military Affairs to use up to $3 million annually from this fund for disaster and emergency services activities, such as planning, training, and response, without a formal governor's declaration. Unspent funds at the end of each biennium would continue to be transferred to the fire suppression account.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases emergency funding appropriation from $16M to $22M and allocates $3M for military disaster services, advancing budget for public safety.95% confidence

Tags Emergency Management

Track

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 767: Revise county predator control laws to include goats

HB 767 revises county predator control laws to include goats. It authorizes county commissioners to establish predatory animal control programs specifically for the protection of goats, often based on recommendations or petitions from local goat producers. To fund these programs, commissioners can impose a per capita license fee on goats aged one year or older. The collected fees and proceeds from selling skins of predatory animals are deposited into a dedicated predatory animal control fund for goats.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates a per capita license fee (tax) on goats to fund predator control programs, directly establishing a new revenue stream for government spending.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 223: Allow interest earned on workforce housing appropriations to be retained

SB 223 amends an existing law to ensure that any interest or income earned from a $12 million fund for workforce housing is retained within that fund. This fund is specifically allocated to assist employees working at state facilities that house state inmates or behavioral health patients, particularly in eligible rural counties. By retaining the earned interest, the bill aims to increase the total resources available for initiatives such as buying down construction costs, providing loans, or acquiring housing for these employees. The bill takes effect immediately and applies retroactively to interest earned on or after June 14, 2023.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRetains interest in workforce housing fund to increase resources for housing initiatives, promoting fiscal responsibility and funding essential programs within state appropriations.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRetains interest in workforce housing fund, increasing resources for housing initiatives in rural counties, directly funding affordable housing development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRetains interest in workforce housing fund to increase resources for employee housing at state facilities, directly supporting employment conditions for workers in eligible rural counties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 24, 2025

LC 2253: Provide statewide access to a K-12 digital toolkit

This bill appropriates $1.1 million to Montana's Office of Public Instruction and $750,000 to the Department of Labor and Industry for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It funds a statewide K-12 digital toolkit containing state standards-aligned instructional materials across all subjects, including career and technical education resources linked to Montana industry partners. The toolkit aims to provide consistent digital learning tools to all public K-12 schools statewide, with funding intended as an ongoing base for future legislative sessions. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.85M for K-12 digital toolkit via state appropriations, directly funding public education programs through budgetary allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds $1.85M for statewide K-12 digital toolkit with standards-aligned instructional materials, expanding consistent digital learning access across all public schools per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds statewide K-12 digital toolkit ($1.85M) for consistent digital learning tools across all schools, directly promoting technology access and digital equity in education.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Curriculum

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 26, 2025

LC 1226: Generally revise Montana SNAP program laws

Montana's LC 1226 revises the state's SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) rules. It requires the state department to seek federal waivers to: (1) restrict SNAP purchases to healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy; and (2) limit EBT card use for household food purchases to individuals over 16. The bill also creates a "transitional benefits" program that gradually reduces SNAP benefits as household income rises (e.g., 100% at ≤138% of federal poverty level, stepping down to 20% at >190%), while requiring beneficiaries to meet standard SNAP rules. Annual reports on waiver status and spending patterns must be submitted to the governor and relevant committees. These changes directly affect Montana SNAP recipients and the state's administration of federal nutrition benefits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill revises SNAP funding structure to manage benefits within state budget constraints, supporting fiscal management of social services.85% confidence

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 27, 2025

LC 2335: Revise campaign finance laws

This bill (LC 2335) updates Montana's campaign finance reporting rules. It revises the definition of "political committee," shortens the deadline for filing campaign finance reports, and clarifies who can sign certain committee reports. The bill also includes a new appropriation to fund these changes. These updates directly affect political committees and candidates who must file campaign finance disclosures. The changes focus on procedural clarity and timing, not altering contribution limits or disclosure requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill includes new appropriation to fund campaign finance reporting updates, directly supporting budget appropriations process per subjects and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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