Education

vetoed · Montana · House Jul 23, 2025

HB 628: Revise early literacy targeted intervention laws

HB 628 updates Montana's early literacy program to include broader academic skills ("scholastic literacy") and adjusts enrollment rules for school districts. It allows districts to enroll up to one student already meeting grade-level reading/math expectations ("on-target") for every three students needing intervention in classroom or Jumpstart programs. The bill directly affects kindergarten through 3rd-grade students in Montana public schools identified as below reading/math proficiency, with school districts using state-approved assessments to determine eligibility. Key changes include expanding the program's scope beyond basic reading and modifying enrollment ratios to better align student needs with available support.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates early literacy program to include broader academic skills and adjusts enrollment rules to better serve students needing intervention, strengthening K-3 literacy support.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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signed · Montana · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 5: Long-range building appropriations

HB 5 appropriates over $30 million for major repair and capital development projects across Montana state facilities, including universities, health departments, and government buildings, for the 2023-2025 biennium. It funds specific upgrades like roof replacements, heating system repairs, fire safety improvements, and electrical system modernizations at locations such as Montana State University campuses, the Department of Health facilities, and state prisons. The bill increases the value threshold for certain projects from $150,000 to $300,000 and authorizes transfers between state fund accounts to support these repairs. It directly affects state agencies managing public infrastructure by providing dedicated funding for essential maintenance and safety upgrades. The bill was enacted on June 19, 2025, after passing both legislative chambers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds university infrastructure repairs (Montana State University campuses), directly supporting higher education facilities per bill summary.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

vetoed · Montana · House Jun 19, 2025

HB 551: Eliminate reduced-price copayments for school lunch and breakfast

HB 551 would have created a state program to replace funding for Montana school districts that eliminate small copayments for reduced-price school lunches and breakfasts. It aimed to remove financial barriers for families meeting federal income eligibility (for low-income meals) by providing $600,000 annually starting in 2025 to offset lost revenue. The bill required the state superintendent to administer the program and adopt rules, with funding intended to cover districts voluntarily removing fees. However, the bill was vetoed by the governor on June 19, 2025, so it did not become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $600,000 annually to replace lost revenue from schools eliminating copayments for low-income meals, increasing public service funding.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $600,000 annually to remove copayments for school meals, expanding access for low-income students and offsetting district revenue loss.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 118: Generally revise student data laws to enhance privacy

SB 118 gives Montana students and parents the right to request deletion of their education data from the statewide K-12 data system. It requires the state education office to delete data within 45 days of a verified request, unless retention is needed for federal/state funding, contracts, or legal orders. The bill mandates accessible request methods (online, mail, email) without requiring account creation and requires annual reporting on deletions. It also updates data system rules to align with privacy standards, including prohibiting social security numbers as student identifiers.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnhances student data privacy rights in K-12 systems, protecting student information as part of educational data management.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologySB 118 explicitly enhances student data privacy by mandating deletion of education data upon request, aligning with data privacy protections in technology policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HJ 63: Request interim study on early literacy

House Joint Resolution 63 (HJ 63) requested an interim study to explore ways to improve early literacy and numeracy for schoolchildren in Montana. The study aimed to involve collaboration with various educational groups, parents, and national experts to develop a better understanding of evidence-based curriculum and instruction for children aged 4 through 3rd grade. It also sought to examine the impact of early literacy and numeracy initiatives, including parental involvement, and improve assessment and data systems. The final results of this study were intended to be reported to the 70th Legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill requests study to improve early literacy/numeracy for K-3, aiming to develop evidence-based curriculum and enhance educational outcomes through collaboration.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 262: Establish state policy on evidence-based reading instruction

HB 262 sought to establish a state policy requiring early literacy instruction in public schools to be evidence-based and scientifically researched. The bill would have prohibited certain teaching methods, such as those relying on meaning drawn from context, visual cues, or memory, specifically disallowing the three-cueing system. Instead, it mandated that instruction include specific components like phonics, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. This policy was intended to apply to public schools across the state, with an effective date of July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates evidence-based reading curriculum, banning non-scientific methods like three-cueing system. Strengthens literacy instruction standards in K-12 schools.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HJ 36: Resolution in support of instruction in reading and writing in cursive

HJ 36 is a non-binding resolution encouraging Montana's public school districts to provide cursive writing instruction to students, primarily affecting K-12 students and school administrators. It urges schools to introduce cursive as early as developmentally appropriate and maintain exposure throughout a student's education, citing cognitive benefits and the importance of reading historical documents like the Declaration of Independence. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to share it with education officials but does not mandate or fund cursive instruction. It died in committee in May 2025 and remains a symbolic gesture, not a law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEncourages cursive instruction in K-12 curriculum, promoting cognitive benefits and historical document literacy as part of educational standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 451: Revise tax increment financing districts to exclude debt service and certain school levies

HB 451 revises how tax increment financing (TIF) is calculated for newly established targeted economic development districts and urban renewal areas. For districts created after the bill's effective date, it excludes several specific mill levies from the tax increment calculation. These exclusions include certain university system mills, a portion of elementary, high school, and state equalization mills, new voter-approved levies, and mills for general obligation bond debt service. This means that a larger share of the new property tax revenue generated in these areas would directly go to the affected taxing jurisdictions, rather than into the TIF fund.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesExcludes school levies and debt service from TIF calculations, reducing available revenue for economic development districts.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationExcludes school levies from TIF calculations, reducing potential school funding streams by removing these revenues from tax increment calculations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Education

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 255: Revise online data privacy laws for K-12 pupil records

HB 255 revises Montana's data privacy rules for K-12 student records held by third-party educational technology providers (like apps or cloud services). It requires school districts to include specific privacy protections in contracts with these vendors, such as prohibiting the use of student data for targeted advertising, ensuring data security, and guaranteeing students or parents can access or correct their records. The bill also allows schools to adopt pre-approved model contracts from privacy-focused consortia to simplify compliance. These changes directly affect school districts, educational tech companies, and students whose data is stored or managed through digital platforms.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProtects student data privacy in K-12 ed tech contracts by banning targeted ads, ensuring security, and enabling data access/correction, directly strengthening educational data safeguards.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires edtech vendors to prohibit student data use for ads, ensure security, and allow data access/correction - strengthening privacy protections for K-12 tech services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 320: Establish the Montana's academic prosperity program for scholars act

HB 320 establishes Montana's Academic Prosperity Program for Scholars (MAPPS) to offer educational options for eligible students aged 5-19. The program provides state income tax credits to individuals and corporations who donate to educational assistance accounts for participating students, and also to parents for their qualified education expenses. A program manager oversees these funds and their distribution for educational assistance, with guidance from a new MAPPS council. Students participating in MAPPS are exempt from public school compulsory enrollment requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides state income tax credits for education donations and expenses, directly advancing tax policy to fund educational programs through fiscal incentives.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates MAPPS program using tax credits to expand educational access and funding options for students aged 5-19 through donations and qualified expenses.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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