Budget & Taxes

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 894: Revising property appraisal to use an average value

HB 894 proposes to revise the method for appraising property for tax purposes in Montana. For most taxable property, its market value would be determined by calculating an average of its market value over a 10-year period. This calculation would specifically exclude the highest and lowest yearly values from that decade. This change directly affects property owners by altering the valuation method used for their property tax assessments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRevises property tax appraisal to average 10-year values, excluding extremes, reducing annual volatility for property owners - providing tax relief.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

Track

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 845: Increase IRC 529 education savings income tax deduction

HB 845 increases the state income tax deduction for individuals contributing to Family Education Savings Accounts (529 plans). Beginning in tax year 2025, the maximum annual deduction for these contributions will rise from $3,000 to $4,500. The bill also establishes an inflation factor to adjust this maximum deduction amount in subsequent tax years based on the consumer price index. These changes apply retroactively to tax years beginning after December 31, 2024, for contributions made to accounts owned by the contributor, their spouse, or a Montana resident child or stepchild.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax deduction for 529 education savings, providing direct tax relief to individuals through higher annual deduction ($3k→$4.5k) and inflation adjustment.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases tax deduction for 529 education savings, directly incentivizing higher education affordability and access through expanded tax benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 654: Increase access to early literacy targeted intervention programs

HB 654 aims to support and expand early literacy targeted intervention programs within school districts. The bill clarifies how school districts can count students participating in these programs, including those offered in partnership with community organizations, for Average Number Belonging (ANB) calculations, which affects state funding. It also proposes creating a temporary grant program to help districts establish or expand classroom-based early literacy intervention initiatives.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates temporary grant program for early literacy interventions, directly impacting state funding allocation through ANB calculations and school finance appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates temporary grants to expand early literacy programs and clarifies ANB calculations to increase state funding for participating students, directly advancing educational access and school funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Libraries School Funding

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 373: Revise lottery proceeds laws to dedicate to education funding

HB 373 aimed to revise the allocation of excess state lottery revenue, dedicating it to education funding instead of the state general fund. The Office of Public Instruction would distribute these funds quarterly to school districts based on a per-quality-educator formula. Districts would deposit these funds into their school flexibility funds, which could be used for various expenditures, including teacher salaries, benefits, housing, technology enhancements, and facility improvements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing lottery revenue to education funding, increasing public service allocation without new taxes or tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill redirects lottery revenue to education funding, earmarked for teacher salaries, benefits, and infrastructure - directly increases school funding allocation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill dedicates lottery funds for teacher salaries, benefits, and workplace improvements per school district formula, directly funding labor-related employment costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding Teachers

Track

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 159: Establish subtrust within the coal trust to increase educational tax credits

SB 159 would create an "Educational Opportunity Fund" within Montana's coal severance tax trust. It increases the annual cap on educational tax credits from $2 million to $5 million starting in 2024, with automatic annual increases of 20% plus 50% of fund earnings. This bill directly affects taxpayers who donate to school districts for innovative programs or to scholarship organizations, allowing them to claim larger tax credits. It also removes the previous sunset provision, making the credit program permanent. The bill amends existing tax code sections to implement these changes to educational funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases educational tax credit cap to $5M+ annually, providing tax relief for donors supporting schools and scholarships, directly advancing state education funding through tax incentives.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases tax credit cap for school donations/scholarships from $2M to $5M with automatic annual growth, directly expanding funding for educational programs and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

Track

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 117: Revise government entity limitations on property tax increases

SB 117 revises property tax laws for governmental entities, affecting how local governments in Montana calculate their property tax levies. It modifies the maximum allowable inflation-based increase for property tax levies and changes how revenue from newly taxable property is factored into these calculations. The bill also allows cities and counties to establish a "large taxpayer reserve account," requiring them to deposit a percentage of revenue from newly taxable property into it. These funds are restricted and can only be used for specific purposes, such as reducing future mill levies or attracting new industry, if a major taxpayer experiences a significant drop in value or ceases operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill revises property tax levy limits and creates reserve accounts for fiscal management, promoting responsible budgeting and revenue handling per tax calculation changes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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 22, 2025

HB 220: Provide for a child tax credit

HB 220 would establish a refundable child tax credit for Montana resident taxpayers with children under age 5. It provides a $1,200 credit per qualifying child, phasing out for taxpayers with federal adjusted gross income over $56,000 (with a $50,000 phaseout threshold). The credit is refundable, meaning eligible families could receive it as a payment even if they owed no state income tax. The bill also adds the child tax credit to Montana’s required periodic review schedule for tax credits. The bill died in committee on May 22, 2025, and did not become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides refundable tax relief ($1,200 per child under 5) for low/middle-income families, directly advancing tax policy to support families through fiscal means.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

Track

signed · Montana · House Mar 4, 2025

HB 29: Revise administration of property tax exemptions

HB 29 requires Montana's Department of Revenue to review all tax-exempt properties (like those owned by nonprofits or religious organizations) at least once every eight years. It mandates the department to publicly post detailed maps showing each exempt property’s location, owner, legal description, exemption type, and value, organized by county. The law also requires the department to report biennially to the legislature on review results, including numbers of approved/denied exemptions and their estimated values. This bill directly affects property owners utilizing tax exemptions and increases transparency about which properties qualify for exemption under Montana law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires review of tax-exempt properties to prevent misuse, promoting fiscal responsibility by ensuring proper exemption compliance and transparency in property taxation administration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 172: Revise resort tax eligibility and allow use for workforce housing

SB 172 allows Montana resort communities and areas (designated under state law with populations under 3,500 that rely heavily on tourism) to use an additional 1% resort tax - previously restricted to infrastructure - specifically for workforce housing. The bill amends tax code sections to explicitly permit this new allocation, alongside existing infrastructure uses, for communities that qualify under the defined criteria. It does not create new taxes but changes how existing resort tax revenue may be spent, directly affecting designated resort districts and communities. The policy shift aims to address housing needs for local workers in tourism-dependent areas.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing resort tax revenue to fund workforce housing, expanding public service funding under current tax structure without new taxes.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly redirects existing resort tax revenue to fund workforce housing, advancing affordable housing access for workers in tourism-dependent communities.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly allocates resort tax revenue for workforce housing, addressing housing affordability for tourism workers in qualifying communities, directly supporting labor employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Affordable Housing