Budget & Taxes

died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1852: Prohibit local governments and state agencies from expending public funds for lobbying

LC 1852 would have prohibited local governments (like cities and counties) and state agencies from using taxpayer money to pay for lobbying activities. The bill directly affected these entities by banning the expenditure of public funds to influence legislation or government decisions. Its key provision was a clear ban on using public money for lobbying, regardless of the purpose or target of the lobbying effort. This bill died in the legislative process in May 2025 and never became law.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill prohibits public funds for lobbying, restricting government spending on non-essential activities, directly limiting fiscal expenditures under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Tags Local Government

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 2924: Prohibit the use of public funds for transgender surgeries

This bill (LC 2924) would have prohibited the use of public funds - such as state or local government budgets - for gender-affirming surgeries. It would have directly affected transgender individuals relying on public healthcare programs (like Medicaid) and healthcare providers accepting public funding. The bill's key provision would have banned state and local governments from paying for these surgeries using taxpayer money. However, the bill died in committee on May 27, 2025, and never became law.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill prohibits public funds for transgender surgeries, directly defunding a healthcare service through budget restrictions.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill explicitly bans public funds for gender-affirming surgeries, restricting healthcare access and limiting coverage under public health programs for transgender individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 915: Revise taxation of certain wind generation facilities

HB 915 revises the property taxation of certain wind generation facilities in Montana. The bill reclassifies specific wind generation facilities, moving them from Class Fourteen to Class Thirteen for property tax purposes. This change means these facilities would be taxed at 6% of their market value, which is the rate established for Class Thirteen property. The bill also includes provisions for an immediate effective date and retroactive applicability.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesReduces tax rate for wind facilities from higher Class Fourteen to 6% Class Thirteen, lowering state property tax revenue.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill reduces property tax rate for wind facilities (6% vs 10%), incentivizing renewable energy development. Directly supports wind energy infrastructure through tax reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wind

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 205: Revise laws related to voter approval for property tax levies and bonds

SB 205 would have revised Montana's voter approval requirements for local property tax levies and bond elections. It would have increased the minimum voter turnout threshold for county bond elections from 30% to 40% (requiring 50%+ of votes cast to approve), and raised the threshold for city/town bond elections from 40% to 50% turnout (also requiring 50%+ of votes cast). These changes directly affected counties and municipalities seeking voter approval for bond measures or mill levies. The bill died in process in May 2025 and did not become law.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesIncreases voter turnout thresholds for property tax levies/bonds, restricting local government ability to secure funding through these mechanisms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tags Local Government

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 200: Provide for increase in total MEDIA act film tax credits

HB 200 proposes to increase the total amount of film tax credits available annually under the Montana Economic Development Industry Advancement (MEDIA) Act. The bill would raise the yearly cap on these tax credits from $12 million to $350 million. This change directly affects film production companies and related businesses that qualify for and claim these tax credits in Montana. The Department of Commerce grants authorization for these credits, which are then claimed on a first-come, first-served basis. This increase would apply to income tax years starting after December 31, 2024.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesIncreases corporate tax credits from $12M to $350M, reducing state revenue; aligns with 'oppose' indicators of tax breaks for corporations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 306: Provide tax credit to landlords that rent for below market rate

HB 306 would have created an income tax credit for property owners, including individuals and corporations, who rent out dwellings in Montana for less than 110% of the fair market rent for their county. The credit amount would be $200 for each $100 difference between 110% of fair market rent and the actual monthly rent charged. To qualify, a dwelling would need a lease of at least one year and meet specific housing quality standards. This credit could be carried forward for up to three years if not fully utilized.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for landlords (primarily wealthy property owners), aligning with 'creates tax breaks primarily for wealthy' indicator per topic guidelines.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax credit to landlords for below-market rents, directly incentivizing affordable housing by reducing tenant costs through financial incentives to property owners.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 133: Revise impact fee laws

SB 133 revises the laws governing impact fees that local governments charge on new development. The bill removes the ability for governmental entities to include an administrative fee within impact charges and limits impact fee increases to the rate of inflation. It also updates definitions related to these fees and details the required documentation for their calculation, such as a service area report.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesLimits local government impact fee increases to inflation, restricting revenue generation for infrastructure projects and limiting fiscal flexibility.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill limits impact fee increases to inflation and removes administrative fees, reducing development costs to encourage housing construction, aligning with housing supply goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Fees & Licensing Affordable Housing Building Codes Property Taxes Tags Local Government

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 254: Prohibit direct or indirect expenditure of public money to hire lobbyist

SB 254 prohibits Montana local governments (including counties, cities, towns, and school districts) and judicial officers from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay organizations that hire lobbyists on their behalf. It allows public officials to use public funds for travel and expenses related to lobbying on behalf of their entity, following standard per diem rates. The bill also enables taxpayers or residents to sue to stop prohibited spending and recover attorney fees if they win such cases, ensuring government entities cannot use taxpayer money to influence legislation through lobbying.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts public funds for lobbying, limiting government spending on non-essential activities per Local Finance subjects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 24, 2025

LC 982: Revise taxation of class 17 property

This bill revises Montana's property tax rules for dedicated communications infrastructure, specifically fiber optic and coaxial cable networks. It provides a 5-year tax exemption for such infrastructure installed after July 1, 2021, with the exemption phasing out over 10 years (20% per year). Telecom companies installing qualifying infrastructure must reinvest tax savings into new Montana fiber/cable installations within 2 years to maintain the exemption. Federally funded projects under the American Rescue Plan Act are excluded from this tax benefit.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill provides tax exemption for telecom infrastructure, reducing state tax revenue (weakening tax collection) without direct public funding link.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProvides tax incentives for telecom infrastructure expansion (fiber/coaxial networks), requiring reinvestment to boost internet access infrastructure in Montana.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax Tax Incentives Broadband Access Telecommunications

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 27, 2025

LC 1863: Provide property tax exemption for senior care facilities and housing

This bill (LC 1863) provides a temporary property tax exemption during construction for new senior care and housing development projects. It applies specifically to nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) status) developing facilities for seniors 62+ or 55+ per federal housing rules. Local governments must approve each project via public hearing to confirm community need before the exemption begins. The tax break ends once construction is complete or if the facility is sold to a for-profit entity.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProvides temporary property tax exemption for nonprofits, reducing local government revenue during construction.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides tax exemption for nonprofit senior care facilities, enabling development of healthcare infrastructure for elderly residents per federal housing rules.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides tax exemption for nonprofit senior housing development, directly encouraging affordable housing construction under federal rules.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Property Development Property Taxes

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