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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vetoed · Montana · House Jul 15, 2025

HB 861: Provide statewide access to a K-12 digital toolkit

HB 861 allocates $1.1 million annually to Montana's Office of Public Instruction and $750,000 to the Department of Labor and Industry for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The funds will provide statewide access to a K-12 digital toolkit containing state standards-aligned instructional materials across all subjects, including career and technical education resources aligned with Montana industry needs. This bill directly affects Montana public schools and students by expanding access to digital learning tools. It establishes a permanent funding base for these resources, effective July 1, 2025, though it was vetoed and not enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.85M annually for K-12 digital toolkit, directly funding public education services under state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $1.85M for statewide K-12 digital toolkit funding standards-aligned materials, expanding educational access and resources for Montana schools.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds K-12 digital toolkit with state-aligned instructional materials, directly advancing educational technology access and resources.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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signed · Montana · House Jun 20, 2025

HB 499: Extend the grow your own grant program

HB 499 extends Montana's Grow Your Own Grant Program through 2029 (previously ending in 2027) and expands eligibility to include postsecondary institutions like universities and tribal colleges. The bill allows these institutions to receive grants to develop teacher training pathways, removes a requirement to convert student grants into loans if recipients don't teach in shortage areas, and revises credit requirements for high school students. It directly affects rural and reservation school districts facing teacher shortages, postsecondary institutions developing education programs, and students pursuing teaching careers through the program. The legislation includes a $500,000 appropriation for the 2025-2027 biennium to support these expanded grant opportunities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends state grant program funding for teacher training, directly increasing appropriations for education under subject 'Appropriations'.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends grant program through 2029, expands eligibility to universities/tribal colleges for teacher training, removes loan conversion requirement, and revises credit requirements - directly advancing education funding and access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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 456: Provide best beginnings scholarships to child care workers

This bill expands Montana's Best Beginnings scholarship program to provide direct financial aid to child-care workers employed at licensed day-care centers or registered family/group day-care homes. It removes standard income eligibility requirements for these workers (previously only applied to families) and allocates $5.5 million annually from the general fund starting July 2025 to fund these scholarships. The program now specifically supports child-care workers through this new funding stream, separate from the existing family-focused scholarship component.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5.5M annually from general fund to fund child-care worker scholarships, increasing state spending on public workforce support program.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds scholarships for child-care workers (early education workforce), expanding access to educational support and strengthening the sector through dedicated $5.5M annual appropriation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 138: Revise education laws related to a teacher's authority to maintain a positive classroom environment

SB 138 requires Montana school districts with at least a half-time principal to formally include in policies or teacher agreements the authority for educators to maintain a positive classroom environment and temporarily exclude disruptive students for up to 24 hours. Teachers must direct excluded students to a principal or designee, and students cannot return until a return plan - developed by the principal and potentially involving behavioral contracts, parent communication, or meetings - is provided to the teacher. The bill explicitly requires all provisions to comply with federal disability laws (IDEA, ADA, Section 504) and the Family Educational Rights Act. This bill, which died in the Senate on May 23, 2025, would have applied to school years starting July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires formal teacher authority to temporarily exclude disruptive students with return plans, strengthening classroom management tools for educators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 159: Establish subtrust within the coal trust to increase educational tax credits

SB 159 would create an "Educational Opportunity Fund" within Montana's coal severance tax trust. It increases the annual cap on educational tax credits from $2 million to $5 million starting in 2024, with automatic annual increases of 20% plus 50% of fund earnings. This bill directly affects taxpayers who donate to school districts for innovative programs or to scholarship organizations, allowing them to claim larger tax credits. It also removes the previous sunset provision, making the credit program permanent. The bill amends existing tax code sections to implement these changes to educational funding.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases educational tax credit cap to $5M+ annually, providing tax relief for donors supporting schools and scholarships, directly advancing state education funding through tax incentives.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases tax credit cap for school donations/scholarships from $2M to $5M with automatic annual growth, directly expanding funding for educational programs and access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 299: Revise laws related to enhancing transparency in education

SB 299 requires Montana school districts to adopt policies ensuring parents have full access to their child's education records and must obtain written parental consent before certain instruction or presentations. It mandates at least 5 days' notice and consent for specific educational content, creates procedures for parents to object to lessons, and establishes a process for filing complaints about school practices. The bill amends Montana Code sections 40-6-701, 703, and 707 to strengthen parental rights regarding education, health records, and school activities, while allowing the Attorney General to sue districts for violations. These changes directly affect parents, school boards, and school districts by altering how schools communicate with and seek permission from families.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enhances parental transparency in education by mandating consent for specific content and strengthening parent-school communication per amended statutes.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 565: Creating the Montana endowment for early childhood and related structure

SB 565 creates a permanent Montana Endowment for Early Childhood, funded by quarterly state transfers and fees from renewed childcare facility licenses. It establishes a 7-member board (including state agency staff and community representatives) to manage the endowment and allocate funds from the Montana Early Childhood Account. The bill directs funds toward grants for childcare workforce development, quality improvements (like safety upgrades), affordability programs (including subsidies), and emergency assistance for childcare providers. These funds directly support early childhood programs, providers, and families accessing childcare services across Montana.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates permanent endowment funding childcare workforce development, quality improvements, and affordability subsidies, directly expanding early childhood educational access and support.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds childcare workforce development and safety upgrades, directly advancing worker conditions in early childhood sector per bill's allocation priorities.85% 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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