Montana House District 55 Legislative Update
April 15, 2025
By Representative Brad Barker (Montana House District 55)
As of Monday evening, April 14th, we have just finished Legislative Day 74.
1,015 bills and resolutions have been introduced in the House and 712 in the Senate. 1,030 bills have passed to the second chamber. Wednesday was the last day for amended appropriations and revenue bills to pass and transmit back to the chamber that they originated in.
Real Property Tax Reform
House Bill (HB) 231 was taken from the table in the Senate Taxation committee last week for further consideration. From my perspective, 231 provides real property tax reform by shifting some of the property tax burden from Montana resident homeowners and long-term renters to short-term rentals and vacation homes. This is accomplished by establishing homestead tax exemptions. The bill minimizes the impacts to businesses and agriculture.
Competing with HB 231 are HB 258 and HB 155. HB 258 lowers all residential property by predominantly shifting the burden to businesses. Those businesses include utilities which in turn pass those costs on to their consumers. In effect, HB 258 would shift the way you pay your property taxes, i.e., they would flow through your electric provider instead of directly to the county. HB 155 shifts property taxes on lower value homes to higher value homes, agriculture and businesses.
Yet another approach with Senate Bill (SB) 90 is to kick the can down the road and provide continuous rebates from the State general fund instead of reforming the property system. SB 90 would provide blanket rebates of the lower amount of approximately up to $250 per property taxpayer or the amount paid. Counties may keep any property tax assistance funds that exceed a primary residence's tax bill. I don’t support this approach which fails to address property tax costs up front for Montana residents and makes fiscal accountability more difficult.
Setting the Record Straight on the Driver’s Privilege Card Bill (HB 275)
Some have been maliciously circulating false information that the intent of this bill is to allow illegal aliens to drive. This legislation does not allow illegal immigrants to receive a driver’s privilege card.
The bill’s language is straightforward. It explicitly requires that every applicant provide proof of identity, proof of Montana residency, and proof of lawful presence in the United States. This means only individuals who are legally present—such as those with valid visas, work authorizations, or pending legal adjudications—are eligible.
The purpose of this bill is to improve accountability and safety. By requiring legal residents to register for a privilege card in order to drive, we ensure they are known to employers and law enforcement. This transparency makes it harder for those hiring undocumented individuals to claim ignorance. In fact, this bill helps lay the groundwork for future enforcement efforts—such as strengthening penalties for knowingly employing individuals who are in the country unlawfully.
Some critics may be opposing this bill because it would take away an employer’s excuse of not knowing someone’s immigration status. But that’s exactly why it’s needed. It’s about promoting responsibility, not turning a blind eye.
We should also acknowledge that many individuals are currently in the U.S. legally while their cases are pending. Denying them the ability to drive forces them into dependency and sidelines them from contributing economically. That’s not the Montana way. Instead, we should expect them to work, pay taxes, and support themselves while they await legal resolution—just as any responsible person would.
I voted for this bill because I believe in fighting illegal immigration, protecting taxpayer resources, and upholding the dignity of work. Those who have read the bill know it would strengthen our immigration enforcement, not weaken it. The bill died in the Senate.
Please email, text, or call with any questions or feedback. I am honored to serve you and remain committed to continuing to earn your trust.
