All Roll Calls
Yes: 296 • No: 1
MontanaSB 3469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate
Clarify laws related to k-12 school districts
Sponsored By: Daniel Emrich (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Education - K-12Education - School Finance
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Separate tuition for elementary and high school
Tuition for students is set separately for elementary and for high school in a K‑12 district. The district must use last year’s spending, split between the two programs, to calculate tuition under state rules. This can change tuition bills for families with attending students.
Taxes and state aid in K‑12 districts
In a new K‑12 district, funding is calculated separately for elementary and for high school. Student counts (ANB) are figured separately and drive per‑student entitlements. County basic taxes use the elementary rule for elementary and the high school rule for high school. State guaranteed tax base aid and the local BASE levy are split by each program’s share; levy limits, major maintenance aid, and retirement follow high school‑district rules. The next year’s budget limit uses last year’s separate elementary and high school general fund budgets, which can shift local levies and state aid.
Money and property shift to new district
When an elementary district attaches to a high school district on July 1, money, taxes, property, and records move to the new K‑12 district. The county treasurer transfers year‑end warrants and fund balances. Past‑year taxes owed to the old elementary district are paid into the high school district’s funds. Trustees must sign deeds to convey all real and personal property and hand over board minutes and records. This centralizes cash, assets, and records in the receiving district.
K‑12 status and school board size
A K‑12 district formed under state law is treated as a high school district for legal and funding references. The number of elected trustees is set by the attached elementary district’s classification under existing rules. This changes which rules apply and how large the local school board is.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Daniel Emrich
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Jamie Isaly
Democrat • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/28/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 99 • No: 0
House vote • 3/27/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 99 • No: 0
Senate vote • 1/21/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 48 • No: 1
Senate vote • 1/20/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 50 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
4/17/2025SenateSigned by Governor
4/16/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor
4/8/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
4/8/2025HouseSigned by President
4/2/2025SenateReturned from Enrolling
3/30/2025SenateSent to Enrolling
3/28/2025Senate3rd Reading
3/28/2025House2nd Reading
3/27/2025HouseCommittee Report
3/24/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action
3/21/2025HouseHearing
3/17/2025House1st Reading
1/22/2025HouseReferred to Committee
1/22/2025HouseTransmitted to House
1/21/2025Senate3rd Reading
1/21/2025Senate2nd Reading
1/20/2025SenateCommittee Report
1/17/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action
1/16/2025SenateFiscal Note Printed
1/10/2025SenateFiscal Note Unsigned
1/10/2025SenateFiscal Note Received
1/7/2025SenateHearing
1/7/2025SenateReferred to Committee
1/7/2025Senate1st Reading
1/6/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/15/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
3/28/2025
Introduced
12/12/2024
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