Budget & Taxes

died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 907: Prohibiting the state from awarding grants to non-profits

LC 907 would have prohibited the state from awarding grants to non-profit organizations. This bill directly affected non-profits that currently or potentially rely on state grant funding for their operations. The key provision was a blanket ban on state grants to non-profits, though it did not specify exceptions or define "non-profit." The bill was drafted in 2024 but died in committee process in May 2025 without becoming law.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill prohibits state grants to non-profits, directly restricting budget allocations for non-profit programs. Aligns with 'defunds essential programs' indicator under 'oppose' stance.95% confidence

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died · Montana · Legislature May 22, 2025

LC 683: Generally revise state finance laws to provide zero base budgeting

This bill (LC 683) proposed replacing the state's traditional budgeting approach with zero-based budgeting, requiring all state agencies to justify every expense annually instead of carrying over prior-year funding. It would have directly affected state agencies, budget committees, and legislators responsible for allocating funds. The bill died in process on May 22, 2025, and never became law, so these changes were never implemented.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires annual justification of all state expenses, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management per zero-based budgeting framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 863: Prohibit funding of DEI in public K-12 schools

This bill would have prohibited state funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in public K-12 schools. It aimed to prevent public school districts from using state funds for initiatives related to DEI, directly affecting school budgets and program offerings. The bill was introduced in 2024 but died in the drafting process in May 2025, meaning it did not advance to a vote or become law.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill explicitly prohibits state funding for DEI programs in schools, directly restricting budget allocation and defunding these initiatives under State Finance/ Appropriations subjects.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationDefunds DEI programs in K-12 schools, directly restricting state funding for these initiatives per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 204: Sunset or reapprove existing voter approved property tax levies

SB 204 would have limited most voter-approved property tax levies (mill levies) to a 10-year duration without requiring reapproval by voters. It directly affects local governments - including school districts, cities, and counties - that collect property taxes, requiring them to seek voter reapproval before existing levies expire. Key provisions include setting termination dates for all levies after 10 years (unless exceptions apply) and listing specific exceptions for school levies, community colleges, law enforcement, fire protection, and emergency medical services. The bill aimed to ensure ongoing voter oversight of property tax rates while maintaining stability for essential public services. (Note: The bill died in process on May 23, 2025, and did not become law.)

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRequires voter reapproval of property tax levies after 10 years, restricting automatic renewal of existing levies without public consent.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 990: Revise property tax levies to fixed dollar amount subject to voter re-approval

This bill would have changed how local property tax levies are calculated, shifting from annual percentage-based increases to fixed dollar amounts that require voter re-approval before any change. It would have directly affected homeowners and local governments by altering the process for adjusting property tax rates. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill requires voter approval for property tax changes, restricting local governments' ability to adjust levies without consent, thus limiting fiscal management in taxation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 995: Revise laws related to property tax assistance programs

This bill (LC 995) aimed to revise state laws governing property tax assistance programs, which directly affect homeowners and renters who qualify for tax relief. It proposed updates to eligibility criteria, application processes, and benefit calculations for existing property tax assistance programs. However, the bill was placed on hold and ultimately "Died in Process" on May 23, 2025, meaning it never advanced to a committee vote or floor consideration. As a result, no changes to property tax assistance laws were implemented through this bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill revises property tax assistance programs to update eligibility and benefits for tax relief, directly supporting lower-income homeowners/renters through enhanced tax relief mechanisms.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill revises property tax assistance programs to improve eligibility/benefits for homeowners/renters, directly supporting affordable housing access through tax relief.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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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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