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MontanaSB 18169th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate

Generally revise Indian education for all laws

Sponsored By: Jonathan Windy Boy (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

IndiansEducation - K-12Education - School Finance

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Indian studies for all students and staff

Beginning July 1, 2025, every public school district requires all certified staff and all students to get instruction in American Indian studies. Districts use licensed Indian language and culture specialists as much as possible. Courses on American Indian topics are developed with Montana tribes and can be offered by university units and accredited tribal colleges. The Board of Public Education includes Montana American Indian cultural heritage in the content and performance standards used for accreditation.

Districts face cuts for missing reports

Beginning July 1, 2025, each district must file an annual report on Indian Education for All spending and work. If a district does not file the report, the Office of Public Instruction reduces its BASE and maximum budgets and BASE aid each year by the full Indian Education for All payment until it files. If a district reports funds were not used for approved purposes, the office reduces next year’s BASE and maximum budgets and BASE aid by the misused amount. The office posts a yearly list of districts that fail to report, and the board notes these failures in accreditation status reports.

School feedback portal and language support

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Office of Public Instruction runs an online portal to collect feedback on Indian Education for All. The office responds to comments and reports each year to legislative committees on feedback, fixes, and district reporting failures. The office also works with the Montana Indian language preservation program to support schools. The Secretary of State sends a copy of this law to each federally recognized Montana tribe.

Tribal voices in school standards and rules

Beginning July 1, 2025, schools and state education agencies consult Montana tribes when teaching or setting education rules. The superintendent includes tribal representatives on committees that develop or revise content and performance standards. These committees also include taxpayers and reflect the mix of Montana schools. The board and superintendent follow state guiding principles and documentation rules when carrying out these duties.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jonathan Windy Boy

    Democrat • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 295 • No: 97

Senate vote • 4/14/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 42 • No: 6

Senate vote • 4/12/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 4/9/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 69 • No: 28

House vote • 4/8/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 74 • No: 24

Senate vote • 2/25/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 29 • No: 20

Senate vote • 2/24/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 31 • No: 19

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/13/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/8/2025Senate

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/30/2025Senate

  4. Signed by Speaker

    4/29/2025House

  5. Signed by President

    4/23/2025Senate

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/16/2025Senate

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/15/2025Senate

  8. 3rd Reading House Amendments

    4/14/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading House Amendments

    4/12/2025Senate

  10. Returned to Senate with Amendments

    4/9/2025House

  11. 3rd Reading

    4/9/2025House

  12. 2nd Reading

    4/8/2025House

  13. Revised Fiscal Note Printed

    4/4/2025Senate

  14. Fiscal Note Unsigned

    4/3/2025Senate

  15. Revised Fiscal Note Received

    4/3/2025Senate

  16. Revised Fiscal Note Requested

    3/31/2025Senate

  17. Committee Report

    3/29/2025House

  18. Committee Executive Action

    3/28/2025House

  19. Hearing

    3/21/2025House

  20. 1st Reading

    2/26/2025House

  21. Referred to Committee

    2/26/2025House

  22. Transmitted to House

    2/25/2025Senate

  23. 3rd Reading

    2/25/2025Senate

  24. 2nd Reading

    2/24/2025Senate

  25. Take from Committee; Place on 2nd Reading

    2/21/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    3/29/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/20/2025

    PDF

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