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MontanaSB 40969th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET

Generally revise laws related to the department of commerce

Sponsored By: Daniel Zolnikov (Republican)

Became Law

Economic DevelopmentMoney TransferState Finance

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Hotel help for abuse and trafficking survivors

Beginning July 1, 2025, the state funds short-term hotel stays for people escaping domestic violence or human trafficking. A licensed hotel that takes part is paid the lower of its average daily rate or the state travel rate, for up to 5 nights per person or family each year. A designated nonprofit or government office must refer the survivor, and the stay must be in Montana. These stays are tax-free from the lodging tax and the sales tax on accommodations. The program is funded with 2.5% of lodging tax money in a DOJ-run account and runs through June 30, 2027.

Tourism tax money reshaped for new uses

Beginning July 1, 2025, lodging tax money is split into new tourism uses. 24.5% funds media, film promotion, Made-in-Montana, main street work, and signage. 16.5% supports rural and tribal tourism projects, and 15.5% funds tourism-related emergency services and grants, including agritourism and Montana film grants. Unspent money in these Commerce accounts must be moved each year by October 1 to a specified account. Some transfers are automatic by law, and the old allocation statute is repealed. These rules end June 30, 2027.

Regional tourism money and local CVBs

Beginning July 1, 2025, 22.5% of lodging tax proceeds go to regional nonprofit tourism groups, based on how much each region collects. If the annual amount within a qualifying city, consolidated city-county, or resort area tops $35,000, half of that amount goes to the local nonprofit convention and visitors bureau. If there is no qualified local bureau or required plan, funds stay with the regional group. This rule lasts through June 30, 2027.

4% carve-out reduces tourism funds

Beginning July 1, 2025, the state deducts 4% of in-state lodging paid by state agencies from lodging tax proceeds each period. The federal-funded part is returned to the federal government. Of the rest, 30% goes to the state general fund. This lowers the pool of lodging tax money available for other programs through June 30, 2027.

History and heritage funding updated

Starting July 1, 2025, 2.5% of lodging tax money goes to the historical interpretation account. 2% goes to the heritage preservation and development account, replacing the older 2.7% or $1 million cap formula. The state also deposits $400,000 a year into the heritage preservation and development account. These rules end June 30, 2027.

University research and invasive species shares

Beginning July 1, 2025, 2% of lodging tax proceeds fund a university travel research program, replacing the prior 2.5% share. 1.5% goes to the invasive species account, up from 1.4%. These changes apply through June 30, 2027.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Daniel Zolnikov

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 371 • No: 24

Senate vote • 4/23/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 48 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 48 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 94 • No: 5

Senate vote • 4/14/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 96 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/3/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 48 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/25/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 37 • No: 13

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/16/2025Senate

  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

    4/28/2025Senate

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/24/2025Senate

  8. 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House

    4/23/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading House Amendments Concurred

    4/22/2025Senate

  10. Revised Fiscal Note Printed

    4/22/2025Senate

  11. Returned to Senate with Amendments

    4/17/2025House

  12. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/17/2025House

  13. Committee Report--Bill Concurred

    4/16/2025House

  14. Revised Fiscal Note Received

    4/16/2025Senate

  15. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred

    4/16/2025House

  16. Hearing

    4/15/2025House

  17. Rereferred to Committee

    4/14/2025House

  18. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/14/2025House

  19. Revised Fiscal Note Requested

    4/10/2025Senate

  20. Committee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/9/2025House

  21. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/9/2025House

  22. First Reading

    4/4/2025House

  23. Hearing

    4/4/2025House

  24. Referred to Committee

    4/4/2025House

  25. Transmitted to House

    4/3/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/23/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    4/9/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    3/20/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/21/2025

    PDF

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