This bill allocates $2.5 million in state funds for each of the fiscal years 2025 and 2026 to reimburse Lake County for costs associated with assuming felony criminal jurisdiction over federally recognized tribes and the Flathead Indian reservation. The money is directed to the Department of Justice and is intended to serve as ongoing base funding for as long as the state maintains this jurisdiction under Public Law 280. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2025, and establishes a financial mechanism to support the county's law enforcement responsibilities in this area.
This bill creates a grant program to help local fire departments in Montana build, maintain, or upgrade their firefighting training facilities and equipment. The Montana Department of Military Affairs will manage the program, which is funded by a $5 million state appropriation that can continue through 2029. Local fire agencies can apply for grants up to $250,000 per project, with a maximum of $500,000 per county and no more than two projects funded in any single county. To receive funding, applicants must submit proposals, follow department guidelines, and may need to provide a 1% cash or service match for grants of $25,000 or more.
This bill extends the use of lead-in-schools funding that was originally appropriated in 2023, allowing schools to continue using these funds until the money is fully spent or the projects are finished. It amends existing state law by adding a new subsection that reappropriates the funds for their original purposes rather than requiring them to be used within a specific timeframe. The change directly affects Montana school districts that received lead-in-schools funding and need additional time to complete their projects. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and approval, ensuring no interruption to ongoing work.
This bill appropriates money to various state agencies for the Montana state budget covering the fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It establishes specific funding amounts for different departments, including the legislative branch, consumer counsel, and other state services, while also setting rules for how those funds can be used. The legislation requires the Office of Budget and Program Planning to track certain funding categories separately and mandates that personal services funding be reported distinctly from other expenditures in future budget requests. The act becomes effective on July 1, 2025, and includes provisions ensuring that any unconstitutional sections do not invalidate the remaining parts of the law.
This bill establishes a state grant program to support public swimming pools in Montana, providing funding for construction, repairs, maintenance, and equipment purchases. The program is administered by the Department of Commerce and targets nonprofit organizations and local governments that operate public aquatic facilities, excluding private pools. Up to $5 million in state funds will be available for grants, with each individual project capped at $500,000 and no more than two projects funded per county. Recipients must submit applications, provide matching funds or in-kind contributions for larger grants, and adhere to project management and reporting requirements. The appropriation is authorized for the 2025-2027 biennium.
HB 835 proposes to extend the at-home infant care program, which provides financial assistance to low-income families where a parent cares for their infant full-time. The bill would increase the eligible age of infants from under 2 years to under 3 years, and extend the maximum duration a family can receive assistance from 24 months to 36 months. It also includes an appropriation of $2 million annually from the general fund to the department of public health and human services to support the program. This legislation aims to provide extended financial support for eligible low-income families choosing at-home infant care.
HB 360 proposed establishing the Child Care Workforce Recruitment and Retention Support Payment Program, administered by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. This program would have provided monthly payments to eligible child-care facilities, including licensed day-care centers and registered family or group day-care homes, based on their number of child-care workers. The funds were intended to help these facilities recruit and retain qualified child-care workers. Day-care centers and group homes could use the money for personnel costs like wage supplements and bonuses, while family day-care homes also had options for facility costs, equipment, professional development, and mental health support for children. The bill included an appropriation of $59.9 million annually from the general fund for fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
HB 830 aimed to establish a Local Emergency Quick Response Program and account to provide financial aid to property owners residing outside of incorporated cities or towns. The program would offer cost-share grants, up to $10,000, for immediate needs like removing fallen trees, acquiring livestock feed, or minor fencing, following damage from catastrophic natural events. Property owners would apply through their local conservation district after a county emergency resolution, contributing at least 25% of the total costs. The bill proposed an $8 million appropriation to fund the program, with eligibility limited to once every five years per property owner.
HB 366 proposed to appropriate a total of $5 million from the state's general fund to the Department of Justice over two fiscal years, starting July 1, 2025. This funding was intended to reimburse Lake County. The reimbursement was for the county's role in assuming felony criminal jurisdiction over members of federally recognized tribes and the Indian territory of the Flathead Indian reservation, a responsibility undertaken due to Public Law 280. The bill indicated that this appropriation was meant to be an ongoing part of the state budget until Montana ends its participation in Public Law 280.
This bill (LC 2335) updates Montana's campaign finance reporting rules. It revises the definition of "political committee," shortens the deadline for filing campaign finance reports, and clarifies who can sign certain committee reports. The bill also includes a new appropriation to fund these changes. These updates directly affect political committees and candidates who must file campaign finance disclosures. The changes focus on procedural clarity and timing, not altering contribution limits or disclosure requirements.
