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MontanaHB 51569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Generally revise laws relating to school facilities consolidating two existing state special revenue accounts

Sponsored By: Linda Reksten (Republican)

Became Law

School FinanceAppropriationsMoney TransferSchools and EducationTaxation--Coal

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Coal taxes fund school facilities

The law sends coal severance tax money and earnings to school facility, maintenance, and technology accounts on set schedules. Starting July 1, 2023, 10% of any excess in the bond fund goes to the school facilities fund until it reaches $300 million, then to the permanent fund. Also starting then, 65% goes to the conservation district fund until $100 million, then to the coal board until $150 million, then to the coal endowment; 25% goes to Big Sky economic development through June 30, 2035. Each May 15, the treasurer moves needed earnings (not unrealized gains) to the 20‑9‑516 account; other earnings stay invested. The law adds 20‑9‑516 to the list of statutory appropriations, and it sets that the Department of Administration runs the school facilities fund and its earnings flow to the facility and technology account.

Homeowners: school levy limits and votes

The law caps the school major maintenance levy at 10 mills. The total local money plus expected state aid cannot be more than $15,000 + $110 times last year’s ANB. If 10 mills brings in less than the district’s limit, other lawful funds can be added and still count as local effort. Voters can also approve a separate safety and security levy; it is not counted against debt limits. Districts may ask voters for a transition‑cost levy for up to 6 years, capped at the years chosen times the higher of 5% of the current maximum general fund or $250 per ANB.

New rules for K-12 budgeting

K‑12 districts must calculate funding separately for elementary and high school programs, including ANB, BASE funding, guaranteed tax base aid, levy limits, and maintenance aid. K‑12 districts are treated like high school districts for retirement obligations. Districts use one operating fund for all grades. Tuition is set separately for elementary and high school based on prorated prior‑year costs. The number of trustees follows the attached elementary district’s classification. Any district that gets school major maintenance aid must file a receipt notice within 30 days.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Linda Reksten

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 435 • No: 158

House vote • 4/25/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 80 • No: 20

House vote • 4/24/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 90 • No: 10

House vote • 4/22/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 29 • No: 21

House vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur As Amended

Yes: 26 • No: 22

House vote • 4/18/2025

AMD-HB0515.002.002 Novak D/PASS

Yes: 35 • No: 13

House vote • 4/17/2025

Take HB 515 from Comm-Novak

Yes: 27 • No: 23

House vote • 4/5/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 73 • No: 25

House vote • 4/4/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 75 • No: 24

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/19/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/7/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/6/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/2/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/29/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/28/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate

    4/25/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred

    4/24/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/22/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/22/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading Concurred as Amended

    4/18/2025Senate

  13. 2nd Reading Motion to Amend Carried

    4/18/2025Senate

  14. Taken from Committee; Placed on 2nd Reading

    4/17/2025Senate

  15. Tabled in Committee

    4/15/2025Senate

  16. Hearing

    4/14/2025Senate

  17. Referred to Committee

    4/7/2025Senate

  18. First Reading

    4/7/2025Senate

  19. Transmitted to Senate

    4/5/2025House

  20. 3rd Reading Passed

    4/5/2025House

  21. Revised Fiscal Note Printed

    4/4/2025House

  22. 2nd Reading Passed

    4/4/2025House

  23. Revised Fiscal Note Signed

    4/3/2025House

  24. Revised Fiscal Note Received

    4/3/2025House

  25. Revised Fiscal Note Requested

    3/31/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/28/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    4/18/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    3/31/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/14/2025

    PDF

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