Budget & Taxes (Appropriations)

This bill requires Montana's legislature to approve any new property tax levy used to pay court judgments against local governments or school districts. It directly affects counties, cities, and school districts that might need to raise property taxes to cover court-ordered payments (e.g., after losing a lawsuit). The key provision states that such tax levies cannot be imposed without legislative action - either through an appropriation or specific legislation permitting the levy - unless payment is made via insurance or existing funds. The bill does not change how insurance or existing budgets cover judgments, only the process for new tax increases to satisfy court rulings.

HB 883 aims to reduce the funding for the State Supreme Court for the biennium beginning July 1, 2025. If passed alongside a general appropriations act, the bill would set the Supreme Court's appropriation at $18 million and void any other appropriations to the court. It also prohibits the transfer of funds or appropriation authority from district court functions to the Supreme Court for that biennium.