Budget & Taxes (Local Government)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 20, 2024

LC 993: Require levies or bonds for judgments, settlements, or protested taxes to be submitted to voters

This bill requires voter approval before Montana counties, cities, or school districts can use new property tax levies or issue bonds to pay court judgments, settlements, or property taxes paid under protest. The law amends multiple state statutes to ensure that any special tax increases or debt issued for these financial obligations must be submitted to registered voters for approval. Local governments can still pay these costs from existing funds or insurance, but cannot raise new taxes without a public vote. The changes apply to all political subdivisions and take effect on the bill's applicability date.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts local government ability to use tax levies or bonds for certain obligations, limiting fiscal flexibility and potentially reducing funding for essential services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Debt & Bonds Property Tax Tags Local Government

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 3320: Limit local government fees for children's use of parks

This bill limits the fees that Montana local governments can charge children for using parks and sports fields, setting a maximum of $25 per month or $10 for a three-day period. It directly affects counties, cities, towns, and special districts by prohibiting them from creating or enforcing rules that exceed these fee caps for children under 18. The legislation also clarifies that fees charged to children's sports teams must be calculated per individual child rather than per team, while excluding swimming pools, aquatic centers, and ice recreation facilities from these restrictions.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts local government fee-setting authority, limiting revenue collection from parks and sports fields, which reduces potential funding for public recreation services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Tags Local Government

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 19, 2025

LC 1796: Prohibit guaranteed income programs

This bill prohibits local governments in Montana from creating or enforcing guaranteed income programs, which provide regular cash payments to individuals without requiring work or training. It directly affects cities, counties, school districts, and other local political subdivisions by banning them from adopting ordinances or rules that make such payments. The Attorney General is authorized to issue cease and desist orders to any local government that violates this prohibition and can seek court injunctions if the local government does not comply. This legislation aims to ensure statewide uniformity by preventing local variations in guaranteed income policy implementation.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts local government spending on guaranteed income programs, limiting budget flexibility for social services and welfare initiatives.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill restricts guaranteed income programs, limiting economic support for workers and reducing employment flexibility options.90% confidence

Tags Local Government

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 604: Prohibit guaranteed income programs

House Bill 604, also known as the "Work Protection Act," aims to establish statewide uniformity by prohibiting local governments from creating or administering guaranteed income programs. The bill defines a guaranteed income program as one providing regular, unearned cash payments to individuals for any purpose, excluding programs requiring work or training. It prevents political subdivisions, such as counties and cities, from adopting related ordinances or rules. The Attorney General is authorized to issue cease and desist orders and pursue legal action against any local government that violates this prohibition.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesProhibits local guaranteed income programs, restricting government spending on unearned cash payments, thus opposing expanded public expenditure in budget management.95% confidence

Tags Local Government

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 3806: Funding local government pedestrian infrastructure

Bill LC 3806, titled "Funding local government pedestrian infrastructure," proposed state funding for local governments to improve pedestrian safety features like sidewalks, crosswalks, and accessible pathways. It would have directly affected municipalities and counties by providing resources for infrastructure projects prioritizing pedestrian accessibility. However, the bill died in the legislative process on May 23, 2025, without advancing to a vote or establishing specific funding mechanisms. As a result, no policy changes were enacted through this bill.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly proposes state funding for pedestrian infrastructure, directly addressing appropriations and fiscal impact on local governments.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationProposes state funding for pedestrian infrastructure, directly enhancing transportation safety and accessibility through sidewalks/crosswalks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Tags Local Government

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died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1555: Establish a fund for local infrastructure

This bill (LC 1555) proposed creating a dedicated state fund to support local infrastructure projects like roads, bridges, and water systems. It would have directly affected municipalities and local governments by providing new funding sources for these projects. However, the bill was drafted but never advanced beyond the initial stage, with its draft officially "died in process" on May 26, 2025. No active provisions or mechanisms were established, as the bill never became law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProposes dedicated state fund for infrastructure under State Finance/Appropriations, aligning with funding public services per bill subjects.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill proposes dedicated fund for roads, bridges, and local infrastructure projects, directly aligning with transportation funding and infrastructure support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Transportation Funding Tags Local Government

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1852: Prohibit local governments and state agencies from expending public funds for lobbying

LC 1852 would have prohibited local governments (like cities and counties) and state agencies from using taxpayer money to pay for lobbying activities. The bill directly affected these entities by banning the expenditure of public funds to influence legislation or government decisions. Its key provision was a clear ban on using public money for lobbying, regardless of the purpose or target of the lobbying effort. This bill died in the legislative process in May 2025 and never became law.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill prohibits public funds for lobbying, restricting government spending on non-essential activities, directly limiting fiscal expenditures under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Tags Local Government

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 205: Revise laws related to voter approval for property tax levies and bonds

SB 205 would have revised Montana's voter approval requirements for local property tax levies and bond elections. It would have increased the minimum voter turnout threshold for county bond elections from 30% to 40% (requiring 50%+ of votes cast to approve), and raised the threshold for city/town bond elections from 40% to 50% turnout (also requiring 50%+ of votes cast). These changes directly affected counties and municipalities seeking voter approval for bond measures or mill levies. The bill died in process in May 2025 and did not become law.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesIncreases voter turnout thresholds for property tax levies/bonds, restricting local government ability to secure funding through these mechanisms.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tags Local Government

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signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 133: Revise impact fee laws

SB 133 revises the laws governing impact fees that local governments charge on new development. The bill removes the ability for governmental entities to include an administrative fee within impact charges and limits impact fee increases to the rate of inflation. It also updates definitions related to these fees and details the required documentation for their calculation, such as a service area report.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesLimits local government impact fee increases to inflation, restricting revenue generation for infrastructure projects and limiting fiscal flexibility.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill limits impact fee increases to inflation and removes administrative fees, reducing development costs to encourage housing construction, aligning with housing supply goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Fees & Licensing Affordable Housing Building Codes Property Taxes Tags Local Government

died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1557: Establish a fund for local infrastructure

Bill LC 1557 proposed establishing a dedicated fund to support local infrastructure projects, such as roads and public utilities, primarily affecting municipalities and local governments. The bill outlined mechanisms for allocating state funds to communities for infrastructure upgrades but did not specify exact funding amounts or eligibility criteria. However, the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as it was placed on hold twice in November 2024 and ultimately died in process in May 2025. No concrete policy changes were enacted, as the proposal was not introduced for committee review or voting.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill proposes dedicated state fund for infrastructure projects, directly advancing budget allocation under State Finance/Appropriations subjects.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes dedicated fund for local infrastructure projects including roads, directly aligning with transportation funding/support indicators. Explicitly targets road/public utility upgrades per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Transportation Funding Tags Local Government

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