PRIA Logo™
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)

Signed by Governor

Education - School FinanceAppropriationsMoney TransferEducation - K-12Taxation--Coal

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Big boost to school building funds

The law channels more money to school buildings and technology through a renamed facility and technology account. By August 15, 2025, the state tops the School Facilities Fund to $275 million. Each year, schools also get the larger of $10 million plus inflation or 5% of oil and gas taxes from two years earlier for maintenance and debt. Extra interest in the guarantee account and any unspent maintenance aid on June 30, 2025 move into this account. Each May 15, the treasurer transfers only the earnings needed, and new income from certain lands, riverbeds, and trust‑fund earnings can flow in. The state sets $1 million a year for technology grants and retires the old tech appropriation, updating the code to route money through this account.

More state help for school upkeep

The law raises the base maintenance amount to $40,000 plus $115 per student (prior‑year ANB). It boosts the statewide aid multiplier to 355% in the maintenance formula. Districts can use maintenance aid for debt payments, safety upgrades, HVAC, windows, plumbing, electrical, lighting, IT and internet, and other critical repairs. This expands what projects can get state help and increases support.

New rules for 10 mill levy

Trustees must calculate the 10‑mill major maintenance levy using the district’s latest certified taxable value. If 10 mills brings in less than the allowed maximum, trustees can add other lawful local money or transfer from other district funds to fill the gap. The district’s local effort equals the levy plus these added amounts. This can change how much is raised by local property taxes versus other local funds.

Less paperwork after maintenance aid

School districts no longer must file a 30‑day acknowledgment after receiving school major maintenance aid. The prior 30‑day filing rule is repealed.

School tech fund can buy cloud

Beginning July 1, 2025, districts can use their technology fund to buy, rent, repair, and maintain tech equipment and pay for cloud services. The fund can cover subscriptions, licenses, pay‑per‑use services, and staff technical training. Trustees must deposit state tech money into this fund and may add local, state, private, or federal tech funds.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Linda Reksten

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 439 • No: 159

House vote • 4/25/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 80 • No: 20

House vote • 4/24/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 90 • No: 10

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 29 • No: 21

Senate vote • 4/18/2025

AMD-HB0515.002.002 Novak D/PASS

Yes: 37 • No: 13

Senate vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur As Amended

Yes: 27 • No: 23

Senate 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: 76 • 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 Senate Amendments

    4/25/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/24/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/22/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading

    4/22/2025Senate

  12. 2nd Reading

    4/18/2025Senate

  13. 2nd Reading Motion to Amend

    4/18/2025Senate

  14. Take from Committee; Place 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. 1st Reading

    4/7/2025Senate

  19. Transmitted to Senate

    4/5/2025House

  20. 3rd Reading

    4/5/2025House

  21. Revised Fiscal Note Printed

    4/4/2025House

  22. 2nd Reading

    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

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation