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MontanaSB 27869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET

Revise education laws to support advanced opportunities

Sponsored By: Sara Novak (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

Developmental DisabilitiesEducation - K-12Education - School FinanceEducation - Post-SecondaryEducation - Technical and Trades

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Advanced Opportunities aid rates and timing

Starting July 1, 2025, qualified school districts get Advanced Opportunities aid based on last year’s quality educator payment. Elementary districts get 4.5%, high school districts get 30%, and K‑12 districts get 18%. The superintendent must pay qualified districts by October 1 each year into the district’s flexibility fund. Only districts qualified under state rules for this program receive these payments.

Most aid must cut student costs

Starting July 1, 2025, districts must spend at least 75% of Advanced Opportunities aid on students’ out‑of‑pocket costs in grades 6–12. This can pay dual‑credit tuition, exam fees, work‑based learning costs (including workers’ comp), credential exams, enrichment activities, and other student‑requested needs. Trustees decide how to share funds and may create free district initiatives. Any remaining aid can fund career and technical courses or pay an advanced opportunity facilitator. Districts may add up to 25% more from their adult education budget, following the same spending rules.

Funding cap limits district participation

Starting July 1, 2025, the board limits how many districts can qualify based on available funding for the next year. If money runs out, districts are prioritized by the date their applications were received. If an application is deferred, the district must update it each year after one full fiscal year to keep its original priority date.

Clear applications, deadlines, and progress reports

Starting July 1, 2025, a school board must submit an approved application on the superintendent’s form with a strategic plan and measurable goals. The plan must create an individualized advanced opportunity plan for each participating student in grades 6–12 and ensure equal access. The board of public education sets opening and closing dates and, by January 31, qualifies new districts and requalifies participants that show progress. By September 15 of even‑numbered years, the board reports to the education interim committee with student counts helped, credits and credentials paid for, projected growth and funding needs, and any issues needing new laws.

Facilitators help students and boost funding

Starting July 1, 2025, qualified districts may hire an advanced opportunity facilitator to connect students and families with dual credit, work‑based learning, credentials, and community partners. Districts can use program funds and other allowed spending to pay for this role. When facilitators are reported as full‑time equivalent educators and employed by eligible entities under state law, they count toward the district’s quality educator payment.

Technical tie-in with another education bill

If this law and House Bill 252 both pass and HB 252 also amends the same section, this law’s change to that section is void. In that case, HB 252 must include advanced opportunity facilitators as eligible for the quality educator payment. This rule only decides which bill’s wording applies.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Sara Novak

    Democrat • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Eric Tilleman

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 303 • No: 95

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 36 • No: 14

Senate vote • 4/16/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 46 • No: 4

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 75 • No: 24

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 70 • No: 30

Senate vote • 3/4/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 38 • No: 12

Senate vote • 2/28/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 38 • No: 11

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/13/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025Senate

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/5/2025Senate

  4. Signed by Speaker

    5/5/2025House

  5. Signed by President

    4/29/2025Senate

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/20/2025Senate

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/17/2025Senate

  8. 3rd Reading House Amendments

    4/17/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading House Amendments

    4/16/2025Senate

  10. 2nd Reading Pass Consideration

    4/15/2025Senate

  11. Returned to Senate with Amendments

    4/11/2025House

  12. 3rd Reading

    4/11/2025House

  13. 2nd Reading

    4/11/2025House

  14. Committee Report

    4/10/2025House

  15. Committee Executive Action

    4/9/2025House

  16. Hearing

    4/9/2025House

  17. Rereferred to Committee

    4/9/2025House

  18. Committee Report

    4/8/2025House

  19. Committee Executive Action

    4/7/2025House

  20. Hearing

    4/3/2025House

  21. 1st Reading

    3/6/2025House

  22. Referred to Committee

    3/5/2025House

  23. Transmitted to House

    3/4/2025Senate

  24. 3rd Reading

    3/4/2025Senate

  25. Committee Report

    3/3/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/17/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    4/8/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    2/26/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/6/2025

    PDF

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