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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)

Signed by Governor

Education - K-12

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Larger staffed school funding commission

The law expands the School Funding Interim Commission to include the Governor, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and leaders of the Boards of Public Education and Regents, or their designees. Appointing authorities must name members by May 1 in any year the commission forms. At its first meeting, the commission elects a presiding officer and a vice presiding officer, and both must be legislators. The commission is attached to the Legislative Services Division, which provides staff, and the Legislative Fiscal Analyst assigns staff. The commission must report findings and any draft school funding bills to the Legislature.

Member pay and faster 2025 appointments

Nonlegislative commission members receive the same salary and expenses as legislators. Full-time salaried state or local employees only receive travel reimbursement under 2-18-501 through 2-18-503. For the 2025–2026 commission, all appointments must be finished within 15 days of this law taking effect.

New education innovation group for 2025–2026

Before its 2025–2026 study, the commission creates an Innovation and Excellence in Education Working Group. The group includes teachers, administrators, trustees, and parent advocates. It compares Montana to top school systems, drafts policy recommendations, and builds an implementation plan with cost estimates. It may hire a national organization to help. It must publish its recommendations and plan by January 30, 2026.

One-time $10,000 for 2025 commission work

The law provides $10,000 from the general fund to the Legislative Services Division. The money funds commission activities in May and June 2025.

Principles to redesign school funding

When it reviews the school funding formula, the commission must follow clear rules. The formula must be simple, transparent, and fair, with adjustments for student needs, district traits, and local wealth. It should use stable revenue and fund current-year students. It should cut paperwork, send more money to classrooms, allow parental choice, and end tuition payments between districts. It should try to reduce property tax swings from reappraisals and reward student growth and achievement over seat time.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • David Bedey

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 481 • No: 10

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 98 • No: 1

House vote • 4/16/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/14/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 42 • No: 6

Senate 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: 100 • 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 Senate Amendments

    4/17/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/16/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/14/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading

    4/14/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading

    4/12/2025Senate

  13. Committee Report

    4/2/2025Senate

  14. Committee Executive Action

    4/1/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    3/19/2025Senate

  16. Hearing Canceled

    3/17/2025Senate

  17. Referred to Committee

    2/21/2025Senate

  18. 1st Reading

    2/15/2025Senate

  19. Transmitted to Senate

    2/14/2025House

  20. 3rd Reading

    2/14/2025House

  21. 2nd Reading

    2/13/2025House

  22. Committee Report

    2/4/2025House

  23. Committee Executive Action

    2/3/2025House

  24. Taken from Table in Committee

    2/3/2025House

  25. Committee Executive Action

    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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