This bill amends Montana's Environmental Policy Act to comply with a state Supreme Court ruling, requiring state agencies to evaluate greenhouse gas emissions in environmental reviews. It removes previous language that prohibited considering greenhouse gases and mandates that agencies analyze alternatives to proposed projects, including a meaningful no-action alternative that assesses environmental, social, and economic impacts if a project is not completed. The changes also require agencies to examine how regulations affect private property rights and ensure that environmental assessments include customer fiscal impact analyses where applicable. These provisions apply to all state agencies except the legislature and affect the process for reviewing state-sponsored projects that could impact Montana's environment.
This bill requires Montana to transfer 10% of excess state general fund revenue to the Montana Coal Severance Tax Permanent Fund after other specified budget transfers are completed. It modifies existing budget rules by directing this specific portion of unspent funds - calculated as 10% of amounts exceeding established reserve levels - to the coal tax fund, rather than other designated accounts. The transfer applies to funds remaining after the state meets its operating reserve level and other required transfers to the budget stabilization fund and capital projects account. This policy change affects how Montana manages its state budget surplus, specifically directing a portion of excess revenue toward the coal severance fund established under state law.
This Montana House resolution (HR 2) expresses legislative support for expanding critical minerals development within the state. It urges state, federal, tribal, and local entities to advance exploration, processing, and recycling of minerals like rare earth elements, platinum group metals, and others found in Montana's geology. The resolution highlights Montana's existing mining infrastructure and aims to strengthen domestic supply chains for technologies, energy, and defense - reducing reliance on foreign sources like China. As a symbolic resolution (not binding law), it directs Montana's delegation to advocate for these projects but does not create new regulations or funding.
HB 579 would have required local governments, such as cities, counties, and irrigation districts, to establish and continually fund capital reserve accounts. To be eligible for grants and loans from programs like the Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program, these local governments would need to deposit either 10% of certain water-related revenues or $5 per acre-foot for specific dam owners into these accounts. The funds in these accounts could only be used for infrastructure projects with an estimated cost of at least $50,000. This bill would also have made a local government's ability to fund these capital reserve accounts a consideration in prioritizing financial assistance.
HB 941 proposed to transfer all interest earnings generated from federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The bill directed the state treasurer to move these earnings into the coal severance tax permanent fund. It also included a small appropriation of $100 to the Department of Revenue for implementing the act. The bill specified alternative destinations for the funds and adjustments to other legislation, depending on the passage of related bills.
HB 858 aimed to revise the coal severance tax coal washing credit in Montana. The bill proposed to extend the termination date for specific definitions related to "coal washing" and "contract sales price," which are used to calculate this tax credit. If passed, these definitions, relevant to coal mining operations, would have remained in effect until July 1, 2027, rather than expiring earlier. The bill also included a provision for notifying tribal governments about the act.
SB 171 requires that 10% of excess state general fund revenue, after meeting budget stability and capital projects fund thresholds, be transferred to the Montana coal severance tax permanent fund (coal trust fund). This bill amends Montana's budget law to direct a portion of surplus funds - specifically, funds exceeding established reserve levels - to the coal trust fund instead of remaining in the general fund. The transfer applies when the budget stabilization reserve fund and capital projects fund exceed 16% and 12% of general revenue appropriations, respectively. The coal trust fund, which supports coal-related programs, would receive this additional funding without altering the state's primary budget processes.
SB 343 would change how Montana allocates remaining coal severance tax revenue after other specified uses. Currently, until 2027, interest income from the coal trust fund is sent to the general fund for specific programs like agriculture development, small business centers, and library services. This bill amends the law to redirect all remaining coal tax revenue (after other allocations) directly to the coal severance tax permanent fund starting July 1, 2027, instead of the general fund. The policy change would shift funding away from current general fund programs toward the coal trust fund, which supports coal-dependent communities and projects.
This bill extends the expiration date of Montana's coal severance tax credit for coal washing from July 1, 2017, to July 1, 2027. The credit allows coal mining companies to reduce their severance tax liability when washing coal to remove impurities before sale. The bill amends two existing laws (2009 and 2015) to update the termination date and requires the secretary of state to notify Montana's tribal governments. The change takes immediate effect upon enactment, providing continued tax relief for coal producers using washing processes.
This bill amends Montana's tax code to create a uniform tax rate for both pre-1999 and post-1999 stripper oil wells. It increases the price threshold for the reduced tax rate from $30 to $54 per barrel of oil (using West Texas Intermediate pricing), meaning the lower tax rate only applies when oil prices fall below $54. Stripper wells are defined as those producing 3-10 barrels/day for pre-1999 wells or 3-15 barrels/day for post-1999 wells. The change affects small oil producers operating these low-production wells across Montana, directly altering their tax liability based on current oil market prices. The bill amends Sections 15-36-303 and 15-36-304 of Montana Code Annotated.
