Education (School Funding)

died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 902: Revise laws to expand education savings accounts to all students

This bill (LC 902) proposed expanding education savings accounts to cover all students in the state, rather than limiting them to specific groups like low-income or special needs students. It would have allowed families to use public funds through these accounts for private school tuition, tutoring, or educational materials. The key mechanism involved revising existing laws to remove eligibility restrictions and broaden access statewide. However, the bill died in the legislative process in May 2025 and never became law, so no policy changes were implemented.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill redirects state funds to private education via expanded savings accounts, directly impacting budget allocation and spending patterns.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands education savings accounts to all students, removing eligibility restrictions and broadening public funding access for private education options.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding Student Financial Aid

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 1148: Revise funding of K-12 infrastructure

This proposed bill (LC 1148) aimed to revise how state funds are allocated for K-12 school infrastructure projects, such as building repairs and modernization. It was introduced in 2024 but never advanced beyond the drafting stage. The bill died in process on May 23, 2025, meaning it was never considered by committees or voted on by the legislature. As a result, no policy changes were implemented, and it did not directly affect schools or funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill revises state funding allocation for K-12 infrastructure, supporting public education spending through revised appropriations.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly aimed to revise K-12 infrastructure funding allocation, directly aligning with support indicators for improving school facilities and modernization. Failed to pass but demonstrated intent to advance infrastructure funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 24, 2025

LC 1215: Revise school funding laws to address GTB lag

This bill (LC 1215) aimed to adjust school funding laws to fix delays in payments from the General Tax Base (GTB) to public school districts. It would have required state agencies to distribute GTB funds to schools within a specific timeframe, directly affecting all public school districts receiving these funds. The key provision would have created a fixed schedule for GTB disbursement, replacing the current flexible process that caused payment delays. However, the bill died in committee during the 2025 legislative session and never became law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill ensures timely GTB disbursement to schools, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget execution for public education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFixing GTB payment delays ensures timely school funding, directly supporting district operations and stability per bill's core purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

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died · Montana · Legislature May 24, 2025

LC 1178: Revise TEACH Act incentives to increase starting teacher salary

This bill aimed to revise existing incentives under the TEACH Act to raise starting salaries for new teachers in public schools. It proposed modifying current funding mechanisms to provide increased financial support for school districts hiring entry-level educators. The bill did not advance beyond the drafting stage and was formally marked "Draft Died in Process" on May 24, 2025. As a result, no policy changes were implemented.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProposes revised funding mechanisms to increase starting teacher salaries, directly advancing education budget allocation through state appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly aims to increase starting teacher salaries via revised TEACH Act incentives, directly supporting educator compensation and recruitment efforts.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly aimed to increase starting teacher salaries via revised TEACH Act incentives, directly advancing wage support for educators under Labor & Employment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding Student Health Teachers

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died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1432: Constitutional amendment to repeal Article X, section 6 regarding aid prohibited to sectarian schools

This bill (LC 1432) proposed a constitutional amendment to remove a provision in Article X, section 6 that currently prohibits public funds from being used to support religious schools. If passed, it would allow state aid to sectarian (religious) schools by repealing this constitutional ban. The bill was drafted but died in committee on May 26, 2025, meaning it never became law or changed the state constitution. It directly affected how public education funding could be distributed, but no policy change occurred as the bill did not advance.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill would allow public funds for religious schools, expanding state education spending beyond current constitutional limits, directly impacting budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill seeks to allow public funding for religious schools by repealing constitutional ban, expanding state aid access to sectarian institutions within education funding policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding

Track

signed · Montana · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 15: Implement K-12 Inflation

HB 15 updates Montana's K-12 school funding formula to adjust for inflation by increasing specific dollar amounts annually. It directly affects all public school districts in Montana by raising base funding rates for high schools, elementary schools, and K-12 programs, including per-pupil payments for American Indian students and other targeted programs. Key provisions include annual increases for basic entitlements (e.g., $343,483 to $375,333 for high school districts by 2026) and adjustments to payments like the American Indian achievement gap ($235 to $256 per student). The bill amends existing law to ensure funding keeps pace with rising costs, effective starting with the 2024 fiscal year. The legislation was signed into law by the Governor on April 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases K-12 school funding via annual inflation adjustments, directly advancing state budget allocation for public education through higher base entitlements.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases K-12 funding annually to adjust for inflation, preventing real-term cuts and maintaining base funding rates for all public school districts including targeted programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 153: Revise laws related to the school funding interim commission.

HB 153 revises the laws governing Montana's School Funding Interim Commission, which is responsible for studying public school educational needs and funding. The bill alters the commission's membership to include various state education officials and sets an April 1 appointment deadline. For the 2025-2026 interim, it creates an "Innovation and Excellence in Education Working Group" to compare Montana's education policies with high-performing systems and develop improvement recommendations. The bill also designates a presiding officer and appropriates $10,000 for early commission activities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Innovation and Excellence Working Group to compare policies with high-performing systems and develop improvement recommendations, strengthening education policy framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Funding

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 361: Provide funding to school districts for English language learners

House Bill 361 sought to establish state funding for school districts serving English language learners and provide professional stipends for their teachers. It proposed state matching funds for public school districts that receive federal subgrants for programs supporting students with limited English proficiency. The bill also aimed to provide annual stipends of up to $500 for qualified teachers holding specific certifications in English as a Second Language or culturally and linguistically diverse education. Teachers meeting these qualifications and working in high-poverty or impacted schools could receive an enhanced stipend of up to $1,000, with both the state and school districts contributing to these payments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funding for ELL programs and teacher stipends under school finance appropriations, directly advancing budgetary support for education services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides state funding for ESL programs and $500 teacher stipends, directly advancing educational support for language learners and teachers in K-12 schools.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationFunds ELL programs, directly supporting immigrant students' educational access and integration, aligning with 'provides immigrant services' indicator.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding Teachers

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signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 567: Revise education laws related to multidistrict agreements

HB 567 revises education laws to increase flexibility for school districts to enter into "multidistrict agreements" for jointly funding and operating programs and services. These agreements allow two or more districts to share resources, staff, and services, and can now include private entities. Beginning in 2027, the bill offers a 50% increase in the total quality educator payment to school districts that establish comprehensive countywide multidistrict agreements encompassing all districts in a county. The aim is to enhance efficiency and resource sharing among districts across various functions like administration, instruction, and special education, without increasing local taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases state funding via 50% educator payment boost for districts with countywide agreements, directly advancing school finance within state budget allocations.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides 50% increased funding for districts with countywide agreements, enhancing resource sharing and educator support through expanded multidistrict collaboration.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice School Funding

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 37: Clarify calculations for significant enrollment increases

SB 37 revises school funding laws by clarifying how significant enrollment increases are calculated for state aid payments. The bill specifies that these calculations must be made separately for each budget unit within a school district. A district becomes eligible for additional funding if its current October enrollment count, converted to ANB, exceeds its budget limit ANB from three years prior by 110% or more. The Superintendent of Public Instruction determines the payment amount, which districts can accept fully or partially to address costs associated with the enrollment growth.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill clarifies state aid calculations for school funding, ensuring additional state budget allocations for districts meeting enrollment criteria, directly supporting education program funding within fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies enrollment calculation to trigger additional state aid when enrollment exceeds 110% of prior budget limit, directly advancing school funding mechanisms.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding