Budget & Taxes

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 531: Provide tax credit for purchase of a firearm safe

SB 531 would provide Montana residents a refundable state income tax credit for purchasing a firearm safe, up to $300 per tax year. To qualify, the safe must meet strict security standards (e.g., 10,000+ lock combinations, 1/2-inch steel bolts, certified by a nationally recognized lab) and fully contain firearms. The credit directly affects individual taxpayers who buy qualifying safes, with unused credit paid back if their tax liability is less than the claimed amount. The bill aims to encourage safe storage but does not change existing firearm laws. It would apply to tax years beginning January 1, 2026, though it died in committee in 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides refundable tax credit reducing individual tax liability, directly constituting tax relief per topic indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Procurement

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 1145: Establish ongoing GF transfers for infrastructure and pensions unless certain conditions are met

This bill (LC 1145) proposed establishing ongoing transfers from the state's General Fund to support infrastructure projects and pension funding, unless specific fiscal conditions were met. It aimed to create a sustained funding mechanism for these priorities without requiring annual legislative approval. However, the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as it was placed on hold in November 2024 and ultimately died in process by May 2025. No further action or implementation occurred.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill proposes ongoing General Fund transfers for infrastructure/pensions, creating sustained funding without annual approval, aligning with funding essential public services and fiscal responsibility.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill proposes ongoing funding for infrastructure projects, directly supporting transportation infrastructure priorities like roads and transit systems, despite never advancing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Pensions State Budget Transportation Funding

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died · Montana · Legislature May 24, 2025

LC 1187: Deposit funds into coal trust for school and local government infrastructure

This bill proposed redirecting funds from an existing coal trust to support school and local government infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and school facilities. It would have required the state to deposit specific coal trust funds into a designated account for these purposes. However, the bill was placed on hold in November 2024 and later died in committee without advancing further. No actual policy changes were implemented, as the bill never became law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects existing coal trust funds to school/infrastructure projects, increasing public service funding per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRedirects coal trust funds to school infrastructure projects, directly advancing school facility funding per bill summary and subjects.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRedirects coal trust funds to roads, bridges, and infrastructure projects, explicitly funding transportation-related infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Transportation Funding

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died · Montana · Legislature May 24, 2025

LC 1172: Low income elderly property tax assistance

This bill, LC 1172, proposed a property tax assistance program for low-income elderly residents. It would have provided direct financial relief to help eligible seniors cover their property tax costs. The bill was drafted in late 2024 but was placed on hold and ultimately died in the legislative process by May 2025, meaning it never became law. No specific details about the exact income thresholds, application process, or funding mechanisms were provided in the available context.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides direct property tax relief for low-income elderly, aligning with tax assistance for lower-income groups under Taxation--Property subject.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProvides property tax relief for low-income elderly homeowners, reducing housing cost burden and promoting housing stability for vulnerable seniors.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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died · Montana · Legislature May 24, 2025

LC 1225: Require cities and counties to collect a user fee for public safety property tax mill levies

This bill (LC 1225) would have required cities and counties to collect a separate user fee to fund public safety property tax mill levies. It directly affected local governments by mandating a new fee structure for property taxes supporting public safety services like police and fire departments. The bill did not advance beyond the drafting stage, as its draft was placed on hold and later died in process (2025-05-24), meaning it never became law or implemented any changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates separate user fee to fund public safety property tax mill levies, ensuring dedicated revenue stream for essential services like police/fire departments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Property Tax

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died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 2578: Revise income threshold and benefits of the property tax assistance program

This bill (LC 2578) proposed updating the income eligibility limits and benefit amounts for the state's property tax assistance program. It would have directly affected low-to-moderate income homeowners by adjusting who qualifies for tax relief and how much financial assistance they receive. The key change involved revising the income threshold that determines eligibility and modifying the benefit structure. However, the bill did not become law, as it "died in process" in May 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill revises property tax assistance to provide relief for low-to-moderate income homeowners, directly aligning with tax relief indicators for middle/lower income groups.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill revises property tax assistance for low-to-moderate income homeowners, adjusting eligibility and benefits to strengthen housing affordability support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1557: Establish a fund for local infrastructure

Bill LC 1557 proposed establishing a dedicated fund to support local infrastructure projects, such as roads and public utilities, primarily affecting municipalities and local governments. The bill outlined mechanisms for allocating state funds to communities for infrastructure upgrades but did not specify exact funding amounts or eligibility criteria. However, the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as it was placed on hold twice in November 2024 and ultimately died in process in May 2025. No concrete policy changes were enacted, as the proposal was not introduced for committee review or voting.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill proposes dedicated state fund for infrastructure projects, directly advancing budget allocation under State Finance/Appropriations subjects.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes dedicated fund for local infrastructure projects including roads, directly aligning with transportation funding/support indicators. Explicitly targets road/public utility upgrades per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Transportation Funding Tags Local Government

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1724: Eliminate sunset on the Montana university system six mill levy

This bill (LC 1724) proposed to remove the expiration date ("sunset") for a specific property tax levy funding Montana's public universities. The "six mill levy" refers to a $6 tax per $1,000 of assessed property value paid by homeowners and businesses to support university operations. The bill would have made this tax permanent, ensuring ongoing funding for the university system without needing future legislative approval to extend it. The bill died in the legislative process on May 27, 2025, and never became law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill makes property tax levy permanent for university funding, ensuring ongoing state revenue allocation to public higher education without sunset expiration.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill eliminates sunset on property tax levy funding Montana's public universities, ensuring permanent financial support for higher education institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Higher Education

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 3245: Increase elderly homeowner/renter tax credit

This bill (LC 3245) proposed increasing the tax credit available to elderly homeowners and renters. It aimed to provide greater financial relief to low-to-moderate income seniors by raising the credit amount they could claim on their state income taxes. The bill was drafted in December 2024 but was placed on hold and ultimately died in the legislative process on May 27, 2025, meaning it never became law. As a result, no policy change was implemented for affected elderly residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credit for elderly low-to-moderate income residents, providing direct tax relief per bill summary and taxation subject focus.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases tax credit for elderly homeowners/renters, providing direct financial relief to low-to-moderate income seniors to improve housing affordability, aligning with 'increases affordable housing' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Property Taxes Renters

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 3336: Revise property tax appraisal cycles

This bill (LC 3336) aimed to change how often local governments reassess property values for tax purposes. It would have required property tax appraisals to occur every three years instead of the current biennial (every two years) cycle, directly affecting property owners whose tax bills are based on these appraisals. The key provision was modifying the standard appraisal timeline to reduce the frequency of reassessments. However, the bill was never enacted, as it "Died in Process" on May 27, 2025, after being drafted but not moving forward. No policy changes were implemented.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces frequency of property tax reassessments, providing potential tax relief to property owners by slowing tax bill adjustments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax

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