Budget & Taxes

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 23, 2025

LC 2266: Revise coal severance tax coal washing credit

This bill extends the expiration date of Montana's coal severance tax credit for coal washing from July 1, 2017, to July 1, 2027. The credit allows coal mining companies to reduce their severance tax liability when washing coal to remove impurities before sale. The bill amends two existing laws (2009 and 2015) to update the termination date and requires the secretary of state to notify Montana's tribal governments. The change takes immediate effect upon enactment, providing continued tax relief for coal producers using washing processes.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExtends coal severance tax credit, reducing state tax revenue and weakening fiscal base by providing ongoing tax relief to mining companies.95% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyExtends coal severance tax credit, favoring fossil fuel industry over renewables. No renewable energy provisions or clean energy support.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal

Track

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

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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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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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