Budget & Taxes

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 31, 2025

LC 4368: Interim study on procurement, no-bid contracts, and transparency on no-bid purchases

This bill (LC 4368) requests an interim study of Montana state agency procurement practices, specifically examining no-bid contracts and transparency around purchases. It directs the study to review all procurement items over $25,000 from the past four years, identify deviations from standard rules, assess potential waste or fraud, and track money paid outside standard processes. The study must conclude by September 2026 and report findings and recommendations to the next legislature. This affects all state agencies that purchase goods or services using public funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesStudy aims to identify procurement waste/fraud, promoting fiscal responsibility in state spending through transparency.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 3757: Revise laws related to the housing Montana fund

Montana bill LC 3757 revises rules for the Housing Montana Fund, a special fund supporting low- and moderate-income housing. The bill requires 20% of fund disbursements to go to rural areas based on population and clarifies that money can only fund housing development - not other board expenses. It specifies that loans/grants must help with housing preservation, bridge financing, land acquisition, or technical assistance for eligible applicants like local governments and nonprofits. Repaid loans and interest income must return to the fund, which will now also accept external contributions for housing projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill specifies 20% rural allocation and restricts fund use to housing development (not board expenses), strengthening fiscal management and funding for low-income housing programs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingDirectly funds low/moderate-income housing via mandatory 20% rural allocation, restricts fund use to housing development/preservation, and specifies eligible housing-related purposes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 1260: Revise the tax rate for class fourteen property

This bill redefines which energy infrastructure qualifies as "class fourteen property" for tax purposes in Montana, directly affecting developers and owners of specific renewable energy and carbon capture facilities. It expands the existing definition to include new categories like sustainable aviation fuel production facilities (added in subsection bb) and clarifies criteria for transmission lines (subsections x, y, z). The key change is expanding eligibility for this special tax classification to cover more renewable energy projects and infrastructure, without altering the tax rate itself. This affects entities building qualifying wind, biomass, geothermal, storage, and carbon capture facilities that commenced construction after specified dates. The bill amends Montana Code Annotated §15-6-157 to reflect these updated definitions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax classification eligibility for renewable energy facilities, providing targeted tax incentives to developers and owners of qualifying projects.90% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands tax benefits for renewable energy infrastructure including sustainable aviation fuel facilities and clarifies transmission line criteria, directly promoting development.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentExpands tax incentives for renewable energy infrastructure including sustainable aviation fuel and carbon capture facilities, directly promoting clean energy adoption.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy

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died · Montana · Legislature May 22, 2025

LC 3985: Provide grants to cover fees for teen driver education programs

Bill LC 3985 proposed creating a grant program to cover fees for teen driver education programs. The bill aimed to provide financial assistance, making these programs more accessible for teenagers. By covering the costs of enrollment, it would directly benefit young individuals seeking to obtain a driver's license and their families.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates state-funded grants for driver education, directly allocating appropriations under State Finance and addressing education access via budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates grants to cover teen driver education fees, directly expanding access to an educational program categorized under 'Schools and Education' with explicit funding intent.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds teen driver education programs under Traffic Regulations/Motor Vehicles, directly enhancing transportation safety by improving driver competence and reducing accident risks.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Traffic Safety Vehicle Registration

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 867: Provide marijuana education and prevention program appropriation

This bill (LC 867) proposed allocating state funds for a marijuana education and prevention program. It would have established a dedicated funding stream to support public education initiatives about marijuana use and prevention efforts, primarily targeting youth and community health. However, the bill was placed on hold and ultimately died in the legislative process without advancing to a vote or becoming law. No specific groups were directly affected as the bill never took effect.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly proposed allocating state funds for a marijuana education program, aligning with funding essential public health initiatives as a budgetary action.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 3836: Create infrastructure revolving loan program

This bill (LC 3836) proposed establishing a state-run infrastructure revolving loan program to provide low-interest financing for public infrastructure projects. It would have directly affected local governments and public entities seeking funding for roads, water systems, or other community infrastructure. However, the bill was assigned to a drafter in December 2024, placed on hold in January 2025, and ultimately died in process by May 2025 without advancing to committee or floor consideration. No specific provisions or mechanisms were enacted, as the bill never progressed beyond the drafting stage.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state loan program for infrastructure funding, directly supporting budget allocation via appropriations and state finance mechanisms for public projects.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates revolving loan program specifically for road infrastructure funding, directly supporting transportation projects per summary.95% confidence

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 1148: Revise funding of K-12 infrastructure

This proposed bill (LC 1148) aimed to revise how state funds are allocated for K-12 school infrastructure projects, such as building repairs and modernization. It was introduced in 2024 but never advanced beyond the drafting stage. The bill died in process on May 23, 2025, meaning it was never considered by committees or voted on by the legislature. As a result, no policy changes were implemented, and it did not directly affect schools or funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill revises state funding allocation for K-12 infrastructure, supporting public education spending through revised appropriations.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly aimed to revise K-12 infrastructure funding allocation, directly aligning with support indicators for improving school facilities and modernization. Failed to pass but demonstrated intent to advance infrastructure funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1378: Generally revise the teach act to enhance beginning teacher pay

LC 1378 aimed to revise the Teach Act to increase pay for beginning teachers. It would have directly affected new educators entering the profession by establishing higher salary standards. The bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as its draft was marked "Died in Process" on May 26, 2025. No specific mechanisms or implementation details were finalized, as the proposal did not progress to committee or floor consideration. This bill did not become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill would increase state education funding by establishing higher salary standards for beginning teachers, directly supporting public service funding allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly aims to 'enhance beginning teacher pay' and establish 'higher salary standards' for new educators, directly supporting teachers through increased compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1532: Provide for repairs of aquatic facilities

This bill (LC 1532) would have authorized state funding for repairs to public aquatic facilities, such as community pools and water parks. It directly affected state-owned facilities requiring maintenance or upgrades. The bill did not advance beyond drafting stages and died in the legislative process on May 26, 2025, meaning no such funding was enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes state funding for public aquatic facility repairs, directly advancing public service funding within budget appropriations.85% confidence

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 3144: Provide funding for public right of way new housing development infrastructure

This bill (LC 3144) proposed funding for infrastructure improvements in public rights-of-way (like streets and utilities) required for new housing developments. It would have provided state financial support for these necessary infrastructure projects. However, the bill was never enacted, as it died in the drafting process on May 27, 2025, with no further legislative action taken.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly proposes state funding for public infrastructure tied to housing development, aligning with public spending support under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds infrastructure for new housing development, directly advancing housing construction through state financial support for necessary public rights-of-way projects.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds infrastructure in public rights-of-way (streets/utilities) for housing, directly supporting transportation infrastructure improvements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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