This bill (LC 3150) proposed increasing state funding for higher education institutions. However, it died in the legislative process on May 27, 2025, without advancing to a vote or becoming law. The provided context does not include details about the specific funding amount, allocation methods, or which institutions would have been directly affected. No further provisions or mechanisms were documented in the available information. As a draft that did not progress, it did not result in any concrete policy change.
This bill aimed to eliminate the "marriage penalty" in tax filing, which occurs when married couples filing jointly pay more in taxes than if they filed as single individuals. It would have directly affected married couples filing jointly by adjusting tax brackets or deductions to align their tax burden with single filers. The bill was drafted but died in the legislative process without advancing to a vote. It did not become law, as noted in its recent actions.
This bill proposed allocating state funds to support public libraries sharing books, materials, and services statewide. It would have directly benefited library patrons by expanding access to resources and library staff managing interlibrary systems. The key mechanism was providing dedicated funding for infrastructure and coordination between libraries. However, the bill was placed on hold and ultimately died in committee in May 2025 without becoming law.
LC 3072 would have eliminated the state tax on Social Security income for residents. This change would have directly affected individuals receiving Social Security benefits, including retirees and disabled persons, by removing a tax burden on that income. The bill's key mechanism was amending the state tax code to exclude Social Security payments from taxable income. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.
HB 424 revises property tax classifications for data center property. It modifies the types of property included in Class seventeen for qualified data centers, and extends the timeframe within which this data center property must be built. The bill also revises ownership requirements for Class seventeen data center property. Additionally, it updates the classification of certain dedicated communications infrastructure in Class thirteen, extending its relevant timeframe.
HB 880 establishes the Medicaid Stabilization Reserve Account, a state special revenue fund designed to help maintain Medicaid benefits during state revenue shortfalls. The account would be primarily funded by transferring any unused state general fund appropriations for Medicaid at the end of a fiscal year. Funds from this account could only be appropriated by the legislature for state Medicaid matching funds after the budget director certifies a projected general fund deficit. This mechanism aims to mitigate expenditure reductions in the Medicaid program, directly affecting the stability of services for beneficiaries. The bill also includes an initial appropriation of $50,000 for state Medicaid matching funds.
SB 171 requires that 10% of excess state general fund revenue, after meeting budget stability and capital projects fund thresholds, be transferred to the Montana coal severance tax permanent fund (coal trust fund). This bill amends Montana's budget law to direct a portion of surplus funds - specifically, funds exceeding established reserve levels - to the coal trust fund instead of remaining in the general fund. The transfer applies when the budget stabilization reserve fund and capital projects fund exceed 16% and 12% of general revenue appropriations, respectively. The coal trust fund, which supports coal-related programs, would receive this additional funding without altering the state's primary budget processes.
HB 228 revises how the Office of Budget and Program Planning reports on the actual costs of certain legislation to the Legislative Finance Committee. It lowers the threshold for tracking from $1 million to $500,000 in projected general fund expenditures. The bill requires reports to be submitted biannually, in February and October, detailing actual spending for the preceding six months and comparing it to the original projected costs. This legislation also repeals a termination date, making this cost reporting requirement permanent.
HB 842 proposed a legislative referendum for Montana voters to decide on establishing a statewide sales tax. If approved by voters, this bill would allow the legislature to enact a sales tax not exceeding 4%. The revenue generated from this sales tax would be exclusively used to reduce property taxes that fund public schools and the Montana university system. The proposed sales tax would apply to final goods and services but include exemptions for necessities such as housing, groceries, fuel, health care, and utilities. The bill was to be submitted to qualified electors at the November 2026 general election for approval.
HB 376 would have required state agencies to provide information requested by legislators within 5 legislative days during a session. If an agency failed to respond, a legislator could file a complaint with the appropriations committee. This committee would then hold a hearing and could vote to reduce the agency's budget by up to 5%. The hearing's outcome would be shared with the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, allowing for potential disciplinary action against the agency director.
