Budget & Taxes

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 21, 2025

LC 3441: Preclude non-profit officers from personal liability for unpaid tax withholding

This bill modifies Montana's tax withholding laws to protect volunteer officers of small nonprofit organizations from personal liability for unpaid taxes and missed filings. The exemption applies only to officers and directors who do not receive monetary compensation and only covers a 12-month period of non-compliance. Small nonprofits are defined as those that employ 10 or fewer paid employees at any time during the calendar year. If a small nonprofit fails to withhold taxes or file required statements for more than 12 months, or if an officer receives wages, they lose this protection and become individually responsible for the unpaid amounts. The legislation amends existing state code to clarify these conditions and limit liability for unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill protects small nonprofit officers from personal tax liability, promoting fiscal responsibility and encouraging volunteer leadership in nonprofit organizations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 10, 2024

LC 675: Joint resolution calling for convention of the states to require a balanced budget

This bill is a joint resolution from the Montana Legislature that formally requests Congress to call a constitutional convention of the states. The resolution asks for a convention specifically to propose an amendment requiring the federal government to balance its budget each year, except during national emergencies. Montana is applying under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, which allows states to petition for a convention when two-thirds of state legislatures agree on the same subject. The bill directs the state Secretary of State to send copies of this application to federal officials and other state legislatures to help reach the two-thirds threshold needed to trigger the convention process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill advocates for federal balanced budget requirement, promoting fiscal responsibility and reducing government spending.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 15, 2025

LC 1119: Provide funding to increase correctional capacity

This Montana bill establishes a new state fund and allocates $220 million to expand correctional capacity by building or renovating a new prison facility. The legislation creates the Future of Corrections Fund to manage money for securing additional facilities through construction or lease-to-own agreements, while also allowing $30 million for planning, technology upgrades, and system assessments. A key provision requires the Budget Director to evaluate whether a proposed facility location has sufficient workforce for inmate rehabilitation before construction proceeds, with funds potentially reverting to the general fund if construction is deemed not in the state's best interests. The bill also mandates quarterly reporting to legislative committees on all expenditures related to the project and includes a contingency plan to redirect funds if the new facility is not built.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $220M to expand correctional capacity through new prison facilities, directly increasing state funding for essential public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates $220M to expand correctional capacity through new prison facilities, directly strengthening the corrections system within criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Corrections

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 25, 2025

LC 4143: Resolution to secure and strengthen social security and the social trust fund

This Montana joint resolution asks the U.S. Congress and federal government to increase Social Security funding to ensure benefits remain secure for at least 75 years without any cuts. The bill directly affects Montana residents who rely on Social Security for retirement, disability, survivor, and children's insurance benefits, representing over 250,000 people in the state. The resolution includes factual statements about Social Security's current funding status, noting that the trust fund has accumulated a surplus and that benefits have never been missed in 90 years of operation. It specifically requests federal action to address projected shortfalls by increasing funding rather than reducing benefits, while also distributing copies to federal officials and Montana's congressional delegation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill seeks to increase Social Security funding to protect benefits for 75 years, directly supporting fiscal management of essential government programs.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill seeks to secure and strengthen Social Security funding, directly protecting worker benefits and retirement security for over 250,000 Montana residents.85% confidence

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Nov 19, 2024

LC 258: Resolution urging Congress to fully fund law enforcement in Indian Country

This Montana joint resolution urges the U.S. Congress to fully fund law enforcement, public safety, and justice programs on the state's Indian reservations. It calls on federal agencies to coordinate efforts between the Departments of Justice and the Interior, conduct government-to-government consultations with tribes, and allocate sufficient resources for tribal courts, detention facilities, and victim services. The bill also invites tribal governments and the state governor to submit their own resolutions and letters supporting full funding, which will be compiled and sent to Congress and federal officials by June 30, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly urges full funding for law enforcement and justice programs on Indian reservations, requesting allocation of sufficient resources for tribal courts and facilities.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill urges full funding for law enforcement and justice programs on reservations, explicitly calling for resources for tribal courts, detention facilities, and victim services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Tags Tribal Nations

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 28, 2025

LC 1777: Fund 6th graders in middle school at high school ANB rates along with 7th and 8th graders

This Montana bill changes how 6th graders in accredited middle schools are funded, raising their per-student funding rate to match that of 7th and 8th graders. Currently, 6th graders receive lower elementary school funding rates while their older middle school peers receive higher high school funding rates. The legislation amends state education code sections to redefine how "basic entitlement" is calculated for districts with accredited middle schools, ensuring 6th graders are counted at the same funding level as grades 7 and 8. This change applies to all Montana school districts that operate accredited middle schools and affects the state's school funding distribution system.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases per-student funding for 6th graders in middle schools to match 7th and 8th graders, strengthening education budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases per-student funding for 6th graders in middle schools to match 7th and 8th graders, directly strengthening school finance and educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Funding

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 29, 2025

LC 992: Prohibit direct or indirect expenditure of public money to hire lobbyist

This bill prohibits political subdivisions, judicial officers, and school districts in Montana from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofit organizations that primarily represent political subdivisions and engage in lobbying activities. The law allows these entities to cover reasonable travel and per diem expenses for public officers lobbying on their behalf but bars direct payments to lobbying services. It also provides taxpayers and residents the right to seek injunctive relief and recover attorney fees if public funds are improperly used for lobbying purposes. Additionally, the bill amends existing rules of conduct for public officers and employees to reinforce restrictions on using public resources for private business purposes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill restricts public spending on lobbying services, promoting fiscal responsibility and reducing unnecessary government expenditures.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 26, 2025

LC 3305: Generally revise tobacco tax laws

This bill revises Montana's cigarette tax from $1.70 to $2.70 per pack of 20 cigarettes and updates related tax provisions for other tobacco products. The changes directly affect wholesalers, retailers, and consumers by increasing the cost of purchasing cigarettes and adjusting tax rates on premium cigars and moist snuff. Key provisions include maintaining a tax exemption system for tribal members on reservations through a quota-based distribution process, requiring wholesalers to obtain department approval before shipping untaxed cigarettes to tribal retailers, and establishing new tax rates of 50% of wholesale price for other tobacco products. The bill also clarifies refund procedures for wholesalers selling to tribal retailers and ensures retailers assume taxes have been paid unless explicitly stated otherwise on invoices.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases cigarette taxes, generating additional state revenue for budget purposes and fiscal management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Tax Incentives

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 20, 2025

LC 3755: Authorize additional funding for coal trust loan program for housing

This bill authorizes the Montana Board of Investments to allocate an additional $50 million from the permanent coal tax trust fund for low-income and moderate-income housing loans, increasing the total available funding to $115 million. The legislation allows the Montana Board of Housing to administer these funds for developing and preserving homes and apartments to help eligible residents meet basic housing needs. It also updates related state statutes to clarify how these funds are managed and repaid into the coal severance tax permanent fund. The bill directly affects housing developers, nonprofit organizations, and low-to-moderate income households seeking affordable housing assistance through state loan programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $50M from coal tax trust fund for affordable housing, advancing state budget and funding essential housing programs95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $50M additional funding for low-income and moderate-income housing loans to develop and preserve affordable housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 5, 2025

LC 2285: Increase on-schedule reimbursement rates for school transportation

This bill increases the state reimbursement rates that school districts receive for on-schedule transportation services, directly affecting Montana school districts that operate bus routes. The key provision raises mileage reimbursement rates based on the size of the school bus, with larger buses receiving higher per-mile payments ranging from 85 cents to 299 cents. The changes apply to school fiscal years beginning on or after July 1, 2025, and include adjustments for nonbus mileage when drivers travel to overnight locations more than 10 miles from school.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state reimbursement rates for school transportation, directly funding essential public services and strengthening school district budgets.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases state reimbursement rates for school transportation, directly funding school districts and improving operational capacity for K-12 education.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases reimbursement rates for school transportation, directly funding and strengthening school bus services and transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding School Transportation Public Transit

Track