All Roll Calls
Yes: 216 • No: 78
MontanaHB 50969th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET
Revise the quality educator loan forgiveness program to expand eligibility
Sponsored By: Debo Powers (Democrat)
Became Law
Schools and EducationTeachers
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
More loan help for impacted-school teachers
Beginning July 1, 2025, quality educators at an impacted school can get help repaying student loans that exist when they apply. You can get up to three years of state help: $3,000 after your first full year at an impacted school; $4,000 after your second full year in the same district (at the same or another impacted school); and $5,000 after your third full year in the same district. After a fourth full year, your impacted school or district may pay up to $5,000 more. Newly hired quality educators can get help, with priority for those hired at impacted schools. The Board of Public Education posts the official list of impacted schools. The Superintendent, your school, or your district may pay your loan servicer directly under the program.
Prorated payments when funds run short
If state money is not enough in a year, the Superintendent prorates payments. Educators at impacted schools get priority. If money remains after fully funding impacted-school educators, non-impacted-school educators may get prorated awards. If funds are still short for impacted schools, only those educators are prorated among.
New application rules and debt limits
Starting July 1, 2025, your application must include official proof of your total unpaid student loan debt. Your loan cannot be in default, and your unpaid balance must be at least $1,000. The Superintendent may also require proof that you used up other federal, state, or local loan forgiveness or repayment help first.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Debo Powers
Democrat • House
Cosponsors
Becky Beard
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/14/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 38 • No: 10
House vote • 4/12/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 37 • No: 12
House vote • 3/5/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 67 • No: 31
House vote • 3/4/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 74 • No: 25
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/5/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
4/24/2025HouseSigned by President
4/24/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
4/23/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
4/15/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
4/14/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
4/14/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred
4/12/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred
4/3/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred
4/3/2025SenateHearing
3/26/2025SenateReferred to Committee
3/6/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
3/5/2025House3rd Reading Passed
3/5/2025House2nd Reading Passed
3/4/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Passed
2/26/2025HouseFiscal Note Printed
2/25/2025HouseFiscal Note Signed
2/25/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed
2/24/2025HouseFiscal Note Received
2/24/2025HouseHearing
2/18/2025HouseFirst Reading
2/17/2025HouseReferred to Committee
2/17/2025HouseFiscal Note Requested
2/14/2025HouseIntroduced
2/14/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/15/2025
Introduced
2/14/2025