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MontanaHB 15369th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revise laws related to the school funding interim commission.

Sponsored By: David Bedey (Republican)

Became Law

Schools and Education

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

2025-26 education innovation working group

For the 2025–2026 interim, the commission first creates an Innovation and Excellence in Education Working Group. The group includes the commission and added members, with teachers, school leaders, trustees, and parent advocacy groups represented. It must study top-performing systems, find gaps, set objectives, and recommend policies that fit Montana. It must publish recommendations and a costed implementation plan by January 30, 2026. The group can hire a reputable national organization to support this work.

How the school funding commission runs

The commission has six House members, six Senate members, four public members, and four ex officio members: the Board of Public Education presiding officer, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Board of Regents presiding officer, and the Governor (or designees). Appointments in formation years are due by May 1. At its first meeting, the commission picks a presiding officer and vice presiding officer, who must be legislators. It is attached to the Legislative Services Division, which provides staff, and the Legislative Fiscal Analyst assigns staff support. The commission must report its findings to the Legislature and include any draft bill to change the funding formula. Nonlegislative members not paid full time by government get salary and expenses like legislators; full-time state or local employees get travel reimbursement only.

Regular school funding study and goals

The School Funding Interim Commission meets every fifth interim. It must study what Montana’s public schools need and what they cost. The commission then recommends any changes to the state school funding formula. When it weighs changes, it aims for a formula that is clear, transparent, and fair, uses stable revenue, funds students in the current year, and cuts red tape. It also aims to expand parental choice, end tuition payments between districts, limit property tax swings from reappraisal, and reward student growth and achievement over head counts or seat time.

Startup funding and faster 2025 appointments

The law provides $10,000 from the general fund to the Legislative Services Division for commission work in May and June 2025. For the 2025–2026 commission, all appointments must be made within 15 days of the law’s effective date.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • David Bedey

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 478 • No: 10

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 98 • No: 1

House vote • 4/16/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 97 • No: 1

House vote • 4/14/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 42 • No: 6

House vote • 4/12/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 2

House vote • 2/14/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 94 • No: 0

House vote • 2/13/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/16/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/12/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/5/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/2/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/1/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/22/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/18/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate

    4/17/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred

    4/16/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/14/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/14/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/12/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/2/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/1/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    3/19/2025Senate

  16. Hearing Canceled

    3/17/2025Senate

  17. Referred to Committee

    2/21/2025Senate

  18. First Reading

    2/15/2025Senate

  19. Transmitted to Senate

    2/14/2025House

  20. 3rd Reading Passed

    2/14/2025House

  21. 2nd Reading Passed

    2/13/2025House

  22. Committee Report--Bill Passed as Amended

    2/4/2025House

  23. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended

    2/3/2025House

  24. Taken from Table in Committee

    2/3/2025House

  25. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended

    2/3/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/22/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    4/3/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    2/4/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/9/2025

    PDF

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