All Roll Calls
Yes: 442 • No: 52
MontanaSB 26069th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET
Provide for alteration of service district boundaries
Sponsored By: Greg Hertz (Republican)
Became Law
Taxation (Generally)Health Care ServicesLocal FinanceLocal GovernmentSchool FinanceSchools and EducationRevenue, State
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Change hospital districts with voter approval
Property owners can petition to move into a different hospital service district or create a new one for better access. After a petition is certified, officials post notice and hold a local hearing within 30 days, then order an election. Only voters in the area vote. If a majority approves, the change takes effect July 1 after the election. When a district is split, the new district must levy the same voted mills and pay the old district for eight years: 70% in year 1; 60% in years 2–4; 40% in years 5–6; 20% in years 7–8. Property that leaves still pays taxes for any bonds the old district had when the petition was filed. Clerks must notify state agencies, and the revenue department certifies taxable values after the change.
Reconciliation payments for isolated pupils
Beginning July 1, 2025, a district that enrolls an isolated pupil can seek a reconciliation payment if the pupil’s home district is next door, has at least $100,000,000 in taxable value, and its taxable value per student is over 1.5 times the attending district’s. The attending district must file by June 1 with a $100 fee; the county superintendent decides within 30 days. The Office of Public Instruction reports the mill value per student by May 1. The resident district must levy to pay: prior‑year isolated FTE × mill value per student × the mills the attending district reports. At least half is due by December 31 and the rest by June 15. Money is kept in tuition funds and used only for these payments.
Three-year payments after school transfers
Beginning July 1, 2025, when territory that generated a reconciliation payment is moved to another school district, the receiving district must levy and raise the same dollar amount for three straight years. It must pay at least half by December 31 and the rest by June 15 each year. The revenue goes through tuition funds and is remitted to the district that lost the territory.
Parent councils in isolated-pupil districts
Beginning July 1, 2025, any district where isolated pupils are 5% or more of budgeted enrollment must create an advisory council. Most members must be parents or guardians of isolated pupils. The council can request a standing agenda item at regular school board meetings.
Stricter filings for K-12 boundary moves
A petition to move territory to or from a K‑12 district cannot be sent to the county superintendent unless both school boards and the county superintendents agree in writing. This bars one‑sided filings and puts control with the boards first.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Greg Hertz
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Cora Neumann
Democrat • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/29/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 48 • No: 2
Senate vote • 4/28/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 49 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/24/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 98 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/22/2025
Do Concur As Amended
Yes: 96 • No: 4
Senate vote • 4/22/2025
AMD-SB0260.003.001 Walsh DO PASS
Yes: 100 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/5/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 25 • No: 23
Senate vote • 4/4/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 26 • No: 23
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/16/2025SenateSigned by Governor
5/13/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor
5/5/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
5/5/2025HouseSigned by President
5/2/2025SenateReturned from Enrolling
4/30/2025SenateSent to Enrolling
4/29/2025Senate3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House
4/29/2025Senate2nd Reading House Amendments Concurred
4/28/2025SenateReturned to Senate with Amendments
4/24/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
4/24/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Printed
4/22/2025SenateFiscal Note Unsigned
4/22/2025SenateRevised Fiscal Note Requested
4/22/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred as Amended
4/22/2025House2nd Reading Motion to Amend Carried
4/22/2025HouseFiscal Note Received
4/22/2025SenateRevised Fiscal Note Requested
4/16/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended
4/16/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended
4/15/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Printed
4/9/2025SenateFiscal Note Unsigned
4/8/2025SenateRevised Fiscal Note Received
4/8/2025SenateHearing
4/7/2025HouseFirst Reading
4/7/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/29/2025
As Amended (Version 4)
4/22/2025
As Amended (Version 3)
4/16/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
3/28/2025
Introduced
2/3/2025