Education

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

Sub-Topics Curriculum Testing & Assessment

Track

signed · Montana · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 357: Provide funding for middle school career and technical education

HB 357 provides state funding specifically for career and technical education (CTE) programs in middle schools, junior high schools, and 7th and 8th-grade programs. It directs the Superintendent of Public Instruction to annually distribute these funds to eligible elementary and K-12 school districts. The bill appropriates $100,000 from the general fund for fiscal year 2027 to support these programs. The Superintendent will adopt rules to ensure equitable distribution and proper use of the funds, enhancing existing federal support without school size restrictions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100,000 from general fund for middle school CTE programs, directly increasing state budget allocation for education as per Appropriations subject.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $100k for middle school CTE funding, directly advancing vocational education programs through state financial support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Career & Technical Education School Funding

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

Sub-Topics Teachers

Track

vetoed · Montana · House Jun 19, 2025

HB 340: Establish Montana's BEST program to bolster educator support and training

HB 340 would have created Montana's BEST (Bolstering Educators' Support and Training) program to support teachers in their first three years of teaching. It required pairing new teachers with experienced mentors, providing $2,500 stipends for mentors and $600 stipends for new teachers (with $300 contributed by their school district), and allocating $1 million annually from state funds. The program aimed to improve teacher retention and student outcomes through structured training, regional gatherings, and data collection, with special focus on "impacted schools" as defined in existing law. The bill was vetoed by the Governor on June 19, 2025, so it did not become law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $1 million annually from state funds for educator support program, directly increasing public education funding under appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides $1M annual funding for teacher mentorship stipends ($2.5K mentors, $600 new teachers) to improve retention and outcomes95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

Track

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 168: Provide state funding for preschool children with disabilities

HB 168 revises state school funding laws to include 3- and 4-year-old children with disabilities in a school district's annual number belonging (ANB) calculations. This change enables school districts to receive state financial support for providing special education services to these preschool-aged children. Previously, these children were not included in ANB counts, meaning there was no state funding mechanism for their education, despite districts being obligated to provide these services. The bill amends Section 20-9-311, MCA, to allow their inclusion based on aggregate hours of pupil instruction.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds state funding for preschool special education by including disabled children in ANB calculations, directly addressing school finance needs for K-12 education access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood School Funding Special Education

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 405: Increase on-schedule reimbursement rates for school transportation

HB 405 proposed to increase the maximum reimbursement rates that school districts receive from state and county sources for student transportation. The bill specifically raised the per-mile rates for school buses of different passenger capacities, as well as for non-bus mileage. The intent was to lower school district property taxes designated for transportation expenses. These changes would have applied to school district transportation budgets starting July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases state reimbursement to lower school district property taxes, providing direct tax relief for local communities.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases state reimbursement rates for school transportation, reducing district costs and supporting school finance under education funding.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationIncreases reimbursement rates for school bus transportation infrastructure, directly funding school district transportation operations per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding School Transportation Public Transit Transportation Funding

Track

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

Sub-Topics Curriculum

Track

signed · Montana · House Apr 18, 2025

HB 234: Extend the use of funding for lead-in-schools appropriated in 2023

HB 234 extends the period for using funds previously appropriated in 2023 for projects addressing lead in schools. The bill reappropriates specific funds, originally allocated under Section 5, Chapter 763, Laws of 2023, subsection (10). This ensures the appropriations remain available for their original purpose until they are fully spent or the related capital improvement projects are completed. This measure allows schools to continue utilizing these funds for lead remediation efforts without a set expiration date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reappropriates existing 2023 funds for school lead remediation, ensuring fiscal responsibility by extending use period without new taxes or cuts to essential programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExtends existing school funding for lead remediation, ensuring continued investment in school infrastructure safety and compliance with original 2023 appropriations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 265: Provide Over-BASE levy authority consistent with inflation adopted by the legislature

HB 265 proposed changes to how Montana school districts manage their general fund budgets, primarily affecting school boards and local taxpayers. The bill would have allowed school boards to increase a previously voter-approved local property tax levy (an "over-BASE levy") by the same inflationary adjustment provided by the legislature for state school funding. This adjustment would not require a new vote from district electors, provided the increase was solely due to the legislative inflation adjustment and stayed within overall budget limits. The bill aimed to improve the alignment of school funding with the defined "basic system" and ensure annual inflationary adjustments are included in the funding formula.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllows automatic property tax levy increases tied to inflation for school funding, preventing underfunding without new voter approval, aligning with fiscal responsibility and essential program funding.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows automatic inflation-adjusted property tax increases for school districts, maintaining stable funding without new voter approval.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

Track

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 515: Generally revise laws relating to school facilities consolidating two existing state special revenue accounts

HB 515 revises state laws concerning funding for school facilities and technology, directly affecting school districts across the state. The bill consolidates two existing state special revenue accounts and increases the amount and multiplier in the state's major maintenance aid formula. These changes are intended to provide more funding to school districts for significant upkeep projects without impacting property taxpayers. Additionally, it revises statutes related to state school technology payments and allows natural resource development payments to support state major maintenance aid and debt service assistance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases school maintenance funding via revised aid formula without raising property taxes, aligns with fiscal responsibility and public service funding.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases school facility funding via revised maintenance aid formula, directly supporting K-12 infrastructure improvements without taxpayer impact.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds School Funding