All Roll Calls
Yes: 394 • No: 101
MontanaHB 469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House
Appropriations by budget amendment
Sponsored By: Llew Jones (Republican)
Signed by Governor
AppropriationsAppropriation ProcessFederal GovernmentState Finance
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
38 provisions identified: 36 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Energy bill help stays funded
The law lets remaining FY2025 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program money be used in federal FY2026. This keeps heating and utility help available for low-income households. Eligibility and benefit rules do not change.
Food and nutrition aid continues
The law keeps key food funds available past FY2025. Summer EBT for kids keeps $188,320 through state FY2026. Emergency Food Assistance keeps $30,000 through state FY2026. Child nutrition grants can be used through federal FY2027, and training funds through federal FY2026. WIC modernization keeps $823,431 through federal FY2027. SNAP performance bonus and SNAP integrity funds remain available through federal FY2027 to support benefit delivery. Eligibility rules do not change.
Senior and disability care funds continue
The law keeps home and community-based services funding available into state FY2026. Adult Protective Services funds also carry into state FY2026. The Community Choice Partnership can use FY2025 funds through federal FY2027. Funds for the Montana Lifespan Respite Coalition carry into state FY2026. These changes extend time to use existing care funds; eligibility does not change.
ARPA funds stay available to 2027
The law keeps remaining ARPA funds alive longer. All unspent HB 632 ARPA money (not interest) can be used through state FY2027. ARPA emergency assistance for non-public schools can be used through federal FY2027. This helps approved projects and schools finish work started in FY2025.
Energy efficiency loan fund gets $5.1M
The law provides $5,114,180 (federal) in FY2025 to the Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund. The fund can make loans for energy‑saving projects. This helps finance upgrades that lower energy use and long‑run utility costs for participants.
Support for courts, victims, forensics
The law boosts and extends justice and victim services. It gives $290,750 (federal) for community justice workers and $30,560 (federal) for the Montana Justice Institute in FY2025. Their remaining FY2025 federal authority can be used in state FY2026, and adult treatment courts and community justice workers can use funds through federal FY2027. It provides $3,537,516 (state special) for Johnson & Johnson settlement prescription drug prevention in FY2025 and lets related state authority run through federal FY2027. It also keeps victim compensation, Adam Walsh Act support, and sexual assault kit and DNA backlog work going into federal FY2026–FY2027.
ARPA interest steered to projects
Within 10 days of the law taking effect, the treasurer must transfer $2.25 million to HB 6 water and wastewater projects, $224,500 to HB 6 irrigation projects, and $1.75 million to HB 7 natural resources projects. After these transfers, the remaining ARPA interest goes to the Capital Developments long‑range building account. Also, all ARPA interest is deposited into that capital account every quarter through December 30, 2026.
Election security funds usable through 2027
The law lets remaining FY2025 Help America Vote Act election security funds be used through federal FY2027. This keeps support for secure voting systems available to state and local election offices.
Major road and bridge work funded
The law funds three transportation projects in FY2025: $53.48 million for the Russell Street Regional Connector, $23.01 million for the Missouri River bridge at Fort Benton, and $345,168 for the US 93 Wildlife Crossing Pilot. It also lets many other FY2025 transportation project funds carry into federal FY2026 and FY2027. This keeps key road, bridge, and safety work moving.
Mental health and 988 funding continues
Behavioral health funds remain available past FY2025. Planning for community behavioral health clinics keeps $1,000,000 through state FY2026. 988 crisis line capacity keeps $222,506 through state FY2026. Montana Partnerships for Success keeps $312,500 through state FY2026. The Strengthening Families Initiative keeps $12,675 through state FY2026. Wider behavioral health initiatives, including the Transformation Transfer Initiative and the addiction recovery demonstration, continue into 2027.
Public health labs and tracking funded
The state keeps federal funds for disease tracking and public health work. Epidemiology and lab capacity, wastewater monitoring, lab data exchange, emergency response, and immunization upgrades stay funded into 2026–2027. Smaller health grants also carry forward: $51,738 for heart attack and stroke prevention, $71,426 for local environmental exposure reduction, and $8,500 for public health training.
Housing help extended, $7M added
The law adds $7 million (federal) in FY2025 for the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing program. It lets unspent FY2025 Homeowner Assistance Fund money be used in federal FY2026. It lets unspent ARPA HOME funds be used in federal FY2027. It also carries the 2018 Housing Trust Fund grant and Community Development Block Grant into state FY2026, and Section 811 rental help into federal FY2027. These changes keep housing and rental help available when FY2025 funds remain.
More time for job and service grants
Reentry workforce funds ($943,097 federal in FY2025) can be used through federal FY2027. National dislocated worker grant funds carry into federal FY2026. ARPA unemployment insurance integrity funds carry into state FY2026. AmeriCorps funds ($1,377,306 federal in FY2025) can be used through federal FY2027. A listed workforce subcontract (Maximus) also carries into federal FY2027. These steps keep job training, UI integrity, and service programs funded when FY2025 money remains.
School and preschool funds extended
Schools can use remaining FY2025 ESSER and homeless student funds in state FY2026. $46,229 for Sexual Risk Avoidance Education can be used in federal FY2026. Preschool Development Grant funds carry into state FY2026. Technology Implementation Grant funds carry into federal FY2027. These extensions apply to unspent FY2025 funds and help keep student and family supports running.
Power transmission project funds continue to 2027
The law keeps $47.46 million in FY2025 federal funds available for the Southeastern Montana transmission siting and economic development project through federal FY2027. This supports grid transmission siting and related development over a longer timeline.
Adoption and guardianship incentives continue
Funds for adoption and legal guardianship incentives remain available. FY2023 incentive funds carry into federal FY2026. FY2024 incentive funds carry into federal FY2027. The law keeps funds available but does not change who qualifies.
Maternal and home visiting funds continue
Maternal and child health grants stay available into the next year. $117,814 for the Maternal and Child Health program carries forward. Maternal and child health funds and the home visiting grant program can be used in federal FY2026. Eligibility does not change.
Refugee cash and medical help continues
Refugee assistance funds from FY2025 remain available in federal FY2026. This includes $858,521 for state-administered refugee services, 2024 refugee support services, and 2025 refugee cash and medical assistance. The law keeps funds available but does not change who is eligible.
Drug task forces and cybercrime continue
The law funds and extends law enforcement efforts. It provides $13,905 (federal) for Highway Patrol dispatch and $5,486 (federal) for the Missouri River HIDTA task force in FY2025. It lets remaining FY2025 federal authority for HIDTA, Missouri River and Russell County task forces, Internet Crimes Against Children, and state/local overtime reimbursement carry into state FY2026. It also lets the Billings task force and a 2023 sexual assault kit initiative use remaining FY2025 federal funds in federal FY2026.
Fish research and hatchery work funded
The law pays for key fisheries work and keeps projects going. In FY2025, it funds $422,877 (federal) for a trout evaluation, $128,933 (federal) for Western pearlshell genetics, and $367,876 (federal) for the Murray Springs hatchery. Remaining FY2025 authority for habitat planning and pearlshell analysis continues into state FY2027. Authority for pallid sturgeon telemetry, the trout evaluation, and the hatchery continues into federal FY2027.
Funds for forest seedlings and restoration
The law funds two FY2025 natural resource projects. Forest Trust Lands receive $250,000 for a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law seedling nursery. The Low Tech Restoration Fort Peck Sage project receives $164,408. These are one-time FY2025 federal funds.
Library, arts, and history projects funded
The law funds cultural work and extends many grants. It gives $201,394 (federal) for biodiversity data and $134,000 (federal) for Crown of the Continent restoration in FY2025. It provides $600,000 (federal) for a new Heritage Center and $349,978 (federal) for Library & Archives mechanical upgrades in FY2025. It also lets remaining FY2025 federal authority for arts partnerships, historic preservation, and many library and conservation studies continue into state and federal FY2026–FY2027.
Mobility and wildlife crossing pilots funded
The law provides $8,983 (federal) for the State mobility program in FY2025 and lets its remaining FY2025 authority continue into state FY2026. It also provides $35,933 (federal) for the US‑93 wildlife‑crossing pilot in FY2025. These small projects support safer travel and planning.
Parks, access sites, and invasive control
The law keeps park projects moving and funds access improvements. Park ethnographic research can run into state FY2026, and Smith River corridor management into state FY2027. It provides $738,057 (federal) for Sportsman’s Bridge Fishing Access Site work in FY2025. It lets several capital and conservation projects use remaining FY2025 authority into state FY2026–FY2027, and it continues aquatic invasive species work into federal FY2027.
Small federal aid for corrections costs
The state receives $20,644 in FY2025 federal funds for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program (FY2024 program) through the Department of Corrections. This helps cover eligible corrections costs.
Small funds for farm and livestock health
The law provides several small FY2025 federal funds for agriculture and livestock. Animal health gets $3,090 for avian influenza, $5,958 for the milk shipments conference, $24,804 for Veterinary Services, and $12,960 for the Swine Health Improvement Plan. The Certified Mediation Program gets $814 (Central Management) and $11,935 (Agricultural Development).
Water‑quality and mine cleanup continue
The law lets DEQ keep key grants and cleanups going. Remaining FY2025 authority for water‑quality planning and nonpoint‑source grants can be used in state FY2026 and federal FY2026. Abandoned mine lands administration and the Upper Ten Mile Creek remedial work continue into state FY2026. Operation and maintenance funds for the Upper Blackfoot mining complex stay available through federal FY2027.
Wildlife surveys and conflict work continue
The law supports wildlife monitoring and local conflict reduction. It provides $50,000 (federal) for White‑Nose Syndrome surveillance and $90,000 (federal) for Flathead Reservation wildlife surveys in FY2025. It lets many wildlife and habitat projects use remaining FY2025 federal funds in state and federal FY2026–FY2027. It also continues the Flathead survey into state FY2026 and a landowner‑led carnivore conflict effort into federal FY2027.
Cyber, nonprofit security, and wildfire funds
Cybersecurity grants keep FY2025 funds available: $3,715,508 through state FY2027 and FY2023 cyber funds through federal FY2027. The FY2024 Nonprofit Security Grant funds can be used through federal FY2027. West‑central Montana wildfire assessment funds carry into state FY2026. These steps keep community security and hazard planning funded when FY2025 authority remains.
Drinking water and sewer funds continue
Unused FY2025 authority for drinking water and clean water revolving funds can be used in state FY2026 and federal FY2026–FY2027. This includes help for small and disadvantaged communities. The change keeps water and sewer projects funded when FY2025 money remains.
Drinking water projects funded through 2027
The law lets remaining FY2025 authority for the FY2022 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund replacement grant be used in federal FY2027. This keeps funds available for local drinking water replacement projects.
Public health and hospital readiness funds
The state keeps FY2025 public‑health infrastructure funds available into state FY2027. $135,950 for health infrastructure, workforce, and data carries into state FY2026. $1,339,555 for Mpox response and $693,341 for hospital preparedness carry into state FY2026. This keeps public‑health readiness work funded when FY2025 money is still unspent.
Tech, broadband, and energy funds
The ConnectMT Digital Opportunity Program gets $6.94 million (federal) in FY2025. Unused FY2025 funds for an ARPA IT modernization grant and the North Plains Connector innovation project can be used through federal FY2027. This supports digital access, government IT upgrades, and grid innovation when FY2025 money remains.
Medicaid enrollment support carries into 2026
The law lets $149,494 in FY2025 federal funds for Medicaid coverage and enrollment support carry into state FY2026. This keeps outreach and enrollment work going. It does not change eligibility rules or benefits.
Farm‑to‑school and student tests extended
The law lets schools use remaining FY2025 federal funds later. Farm‑to‑school grants and the alternate student testing program can spend funds in federal FY2026. The middle school science assessment can spend funds through federal FY2027. This keeps these student services running.
Tourism grants remain available in 2026
The law lets the state use remaining FY2025 ARPA travel, tourism, and outdoor recreation grant authority in state FY2026. Brand MT can spend those funds on approved tourism efforts next year. This helps tourism‑related businesses and communities finish work.
Unspent funds revert after final year
The law returns any unspent appropriation to its original fund when the last authorized fiscal year ends. Agencies cannot keep unobligated money after that cutoff. This sets a clear end date for using these funds.
Short deadline for ARPA Part 35
Any remaining FY2025 federal budget authority tied to 31 CFR Part 35 ends 10 days after this law takes effect. After that date, agencies cannot use those remaining Part 35 funds.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Llew Jones
Republican • House
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/29/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 73 • No: 26
House vote • 4/28/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 87 • No: 13
Senate vote • 4/24/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 30 • No: 20
Senate vote • 4/23/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 28 • No: 21
House vote • 4/8/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 84 • No: 13
House vote • 4/7/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 92 • No: 8
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
6/20/2025HouseSigned by Governor
6/20/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
6/10/2025HouseSigned by President
6/9/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
6/2/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
4/30/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
4/29/2025House3rd Reading Senate Amendments
4/29/2025House2nd Reading Senate Amendments
4/28/2025HouseReturned to House with Amendments
4/24/2025Senate3rd Reading
4/24/2025Senate2nd Reading
4/23/2025SenateCommittee Report
4/17/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action
4/16/2025SenateHearing
4/14/2025SenateReferred to Committee
4/9/2025Senate1st Reading
4/9/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
4/8/2025House3rd Reading
4/8/2025House2nd Reading
4/7/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Requested
4/1/2025HouseCommittee Report
4/1/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action
3/31/2025HouseHearing Canceled
3/29/2025HouseFiscal Note Printed
1/8/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/29/2025
As Amended (Version 3)
4/17/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
4/1/2025
Introduced
12/9/2024
Related Bills
SB 437, Revise definition of sex in Montana law
HB 831, Increase elderly homeowner and renter income tax credit
HB 628, Revise early literacy targeted intervention laws
SB 410, Provide for Montana genomic security act
SB 424, Revising the disabled veteran property tax assistance program
SB 422, Generally revise laws relating to insurance coverage relating to cancer