Budget & Taxes (State Budget)

signed · Montana · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 2: General Appropriations Act

HB 2, the General Appropriations Act of 2025, allocates $30.8 million in state funding for Montana's agencies during the 2025-2027 biennium. It directly affects all state agencies receiving funds, including the Legislative Services Division, Governor's Office, and Consumer Counsel, by specifying how money can be spent (e.g., "Biennial" funds for two years, "Restricted" funds for specific purposes). Key mechanisms include categorizing appropriations to control spending, requiring separate budget tracking for different fund types, and mandating clear reporting of personal services funding. The bill does not create new policies but establishes the financial framework for state operations during the biennium.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $30.8M in state funding for agencies, directly supporting budget appropriations and fiscal management per its summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 472: Revise laws related to state settlement money

HB 472 revises how the state manages money received from legal settlements. It generally requires that funds obtained from claims or litigation on behalf of the state or its citizens, after covering attorney fees and costs, be deposited into the state's general fund. The bill includes exceptions for specific funds like victim restitution, natural resource damages for restoration, and existing tobacco settlement money. It also grants the Governor authority to approve alternative uses for settlement funds, requiring a report to the legislative finance committee if this authority is utilized.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects settlement funds to general fund, increasing state budget revenue without tax changes, aligning with fiscal responsibility and fund allocation indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

Track

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 483: Revise laws to reduce property taxes while preserving the current 95 school equalization mills

HB 483 aims to reduce property taxes by revising school funding laws, while preserving the existing 95 school equalization mills. The bill fixes state and county school equalization mills and vocational-technical education mills, and exempts school levies from general property tax increase limits. It also increases guaranteed tax base multipliers for fiscal year 2026 and raises state reimbursement rates for school transportation, which helps lower local property tax burdens. Additionally, the bill requires reports from the Office of Public Instruction and Department of Revenue on the impacts of property reappraisal on school funding and property taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly reduces property taxes through revised school funding laws, exempts school levies from tax limits, and raises state reimbursement rates to lower local property tax burdens while preserving school funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationPreserves 95 school equalization mills and raises state reimbursement rates for school transportation, reducing local property tax burden while maintaining school funding stability.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly increases state reimbursement rates for school transportation, directly funding this transportation infrastructure component.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax State Budget School Funding School Transportation

died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 1026: Generally revise state financing laws and create tax reduction fund

This bill (LC 1026) proposed revisions to state financing laws and established a tax reduction fund, but it never advanced beyond the drafting stage. The bill was assigned to a drafter in November 2024, placed on hold the same month, and ultimately "died in process" on May 23, 2025. As a result, none of its provisions - such as the proposed tax fund or financing law changes - were enacted into law. The bill did not become law or affect any specific groups.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProposed tax reduction fund explicitly aligns with tax relief indicators for support, despite bill not advancing95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 3714: Generally provide funding for affordable housing in gateway communities

This bill (LC 3714) was a draft proposal to provide state funding for affordable housing projects in "gateway communities" (typically areas near major transportation hubs or economic centers). However, it never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as it was placed on hold in January 2025 and ultimately "died in process" by May 2025. The context does not provide specific details about the funding mechanisms, eligibility criteria, or exact communities affected. Since the bill was not enacted, no concrete policy changes were implemented, and no voting record exists for this proposal.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly proposes state funding for affordable housing projects, directly advancing appropriations for public services under Budget & Taxes.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly proposes state funding for affordable housing projects in gateway communities, directly advancing affordable housing initiatives per its title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Affordable Housing

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 1144: Pilot for performing-based budgeting efforts

LC 1144 proposed a pilot program to test performance-based budgeting for state agencies, where funding would be tied to measurable results like service delivery outcomes. It would have directly affected state departments by requiring them to set specific, trackable goals for their budgets. However, the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as its draft was officially "dead in process" by May 23, 2025, meaning it did not become law. This was a procedural proposal with no concrete policy changes enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill proposes performance-based budgeting tying funding to measurable outcomes, promoting fiscal responsibility and accountability in state spending.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Debt & Bonds State Budget

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1310: Allow for the return of surplus revenue to taxpayers

This bill (LC 1310) proposed returning excess state revenue collected in a given fiscal year to taxpayers. It aimed to direct surplus funds - money the state collected beyond its budgeted needs - to individuals or businesses that paid state taxes. However, the bill was drafted in November 2024, placed on hold, and ultimately died in the legislative process on May 26, 2025, without becoming law. As a result, no policy change was implemented.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReturns surplus tax revenue to taxpayers, providing direct tax relief and promoting fiscal responsibility per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue State Budget

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1552: Establish a fund for local governments

This bill (LC 1552) proposed creating a dedicated fund to provide financial support to local governments. It was drafted in November 2024 but was placed on hold the following day and ultimately died in the legislative process by May 2025. No specific funding mechanisms, eligibility criteria, or affected local government entities were detailed in the available record. As a proposed funding mechanism that did not advance, it did not become law or affect any policies. The bill is inactive with no further legislative action recorded.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProposed dedicated fund for local government financial support aligns with funding essential programs under State Finance subjects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Tags Local Government

Track

signed · Montana · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 924: Generally revise state finance laws

HB 924 creates the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust, funded by half of the state's unpredictable revenue (like capital gains or oil royalties) starting in 2027. Interest income from the trust is split: half distributes $15 million annually to five specific programs (disaster resiliency, property tax relief, water development, bridge repairs, and early childhood care), while the other half reinvests in pension funds and housing infrastructure. The bill establishes new accounts for these programs and sets rules for calculating volatile revenue using historical data to stabilize budgeting. It directly affects state budgeting, early childhood services, infrastructure projects, and pension systems through mandatory funding allocations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides property tax relief and funds essential programs (disaster resiliency, water, bridges, early childhood) via new trust, directly supporting tax relief and public spending priorities.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates half of interest income to housing infrastructure, directly funding development projects per the trust's structure.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates funds specifically to 'bridge repairs' (transportation infrastructure) as one of five designated programs funded by the trust's interest income.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions State Budget Property Development Property Taxes Bridges

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 252: Create the student and teacher advancement for results and success act (STARS)

HB 252, known as the STARS Act, revises state school funding laws to support students and school staff. It enhances the school funding formula by offering incentives to increase teacher base salaries and encourage resource sharing among school districts. The bill also provides increased budget authority for districts with high housing costs and restores full funding to the Advanced Opportunities program. Additionally, it establishes a new "Future Ready" funding component for K-12 schools focused on postgraduation preparation and includes certain district clerks and staff with emergency authorizations in educator funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enhances school funding formula, increases budget authority for districts, restores Advanced Opportunities funding, and creates new education-focused funding components.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnhances school funding formula with teacher salary incentives, restores Advanced Opportunities funding, and adds Future Ready component for K-12.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding Teachers