Montana House District 55 Legislative Update
March 6, 2025
By Representative Brad Barker (Montana House District 55)
As of Monday evening, March 3rd, we have just finished Legislative Day 44 after conducting another session on Saturday. 852 bills and resolutions have been introduced in the House and 563 in the Senate. 516 bills have passed to the second chamber.
Transmittal Deadlines
There has been a flurry of activity over the past week as the deadline for general bills to pass their first chamber and “transmit” to the opposite chamber approaches. General bills that don’t make the deadline because they are tabled in committee or miss a 3rd and final hearing on the floor are dead. Appropriations (spending) bills, revenue (taxes and fees) bills, ballot initiative proposals and interim study proposals have later transmittal dates and can still be introduced. Emotions can pick up during this part of the session as time runs out and hope fades on bills stuck in committees.
Three of my bills died in committees. Two bills, HB 517 and 518, to increase competition and transparency for trash haulers were tabled in the House Energy Committee. Another, HB 788 to require attorneys of record to disclose campaign contributions to the judge hearing their case, died in the House State Administration and Veterans Affairs Committee.
Taxation
The three leading proposals for property tax relief in the near-term HB 231, HB 155 and HB 154 passed out of the House and are in the Senate. HB 231 revises property tax rates with a three-tiered system for residential properties (0.9%, 1.1%, 1.9%) and a two-tiered system for commercial properties (1.5% under $1.9M, 1.9% above). HB 155 implements a graduated tax rate system for residential properties (seven tiers ranging from 0% to 2%) and reduces the commercial tax rate to 1.4% on the first $200K. HB 154 establishes a Housing Fairness Income Tax Credit to provide financial relief for property taxes paid and rent-equivalent property taxes paid, with eligibility criteria based on residency, household income, and limitations on concurrent tax benefits.
Each bill shifts the property tax burden. HB 231 predominantly shifts the burden from resident homeowners to non-resident homeowners using homestead tax credits. HB 155 shifts from lower-value homes to higher-value homes, commercial property and agriculture. HB 154 takes a different approach with tax credits to low-income homeowners and renters. To achieve consensus to get HB 231 out of the House Appropriations Committee, a provision was added that ties it to the passage of HB 154. If HB 154 fails to pass into law, the lowest rate of 0.9% is amended to 0.74%.
General Bills Still in Progress
I still have seven general bills in progress. One has passed the House and the Senate. HB 72 revises National Guard enlisted pay during State Active Duty for disasters. Two have been transmitted to the Senate for Consideration. HB 307 streamlines the hunting tag donation process for Purple Heart Veterans. HB 393 adds towns of 300 to 1,000 to the requirement to provide audio recordings of meetings.
The remaining four general bills must pass the House and transmit to the Senate to remain alive. HB 334 provides $2 million in annual funding to improve disaster preparation and recovery at the local level. This is the result of a study bill that I passed last session to provide recommendations for better State support to local planning and recovery efforts. HB 567 increases quality educator pay for counties when all districts share resources. HB 606 provides additional tools for school district reorganization and greater local control. HB 722 extends electronic records retention from one month to one year for government employees after terminating employment to facilitate the public right to know.
I will provide an update on the ballot initiatives next week.
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.
