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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)

Signed by Governor

Economic DevelopmentMoney TransferState Finance

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Emergency lodging help for victims

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Department of Justice runs a permanent Emergency Lodging and Recovery Program for victims of domestic violence or human trafficking. Licensed Montana lodging places that enroll can give free short‑term rooms to people or families referred by designated groups. The state pays the hotel its average daily rate or the state rate, up to 5 nights per person or family each year. Covered recovery help includes counseling, crisis support, safety planning, and help navigating the justice system. Stays under this program are not charged the lodging facility use tax or the sales tax on accommodations. Money comes from a dedicated state special revenue account that DOJ administers.

New split of lodging tax money

Beginning July 1, 2025, lodging facility use tax receipts go into a state account. The Department of Revenue deducts 4% for state in‑state lodging costs; the part of that 4% paid with federal funds is returned to the Department of Administration. The remaining balance is split by set shares, including 24.5% to Commerce for tourism media, ads, film, Made‑in‑Montana, main street, signs, and trade offices; 16.5% to Commerce for rural and tribal tourism; 15.5% to Commerce for tourism emergency services and grants; 22.5% to regional nonprofit tourism groups (with a $35,000 trigger that redirects a share to local convention and visitors bureaus); 6.5% to state parks; and 2.5% to the Emergency Lodging and Recovery account, plus smaller shares to the Historical Society (1%), university travel research (2%), invasive species (1.5%), historical interpretation (2.5%), state‑tribal tourism (0.5%), and heritage preservation (2%). Unspent money from certain Commerce subaccounts moves into the 24.5% account by October 1 each year. Some shares are automatically available by statute; others still need the legislature to approve spending.

Key start and end dates set

The law mostly takes effect on passage and approval. Sections 1 through 3 and 6 take effect July 1, 2025. Section 3 and Section 4 end on June 30, 2025. Sections 5 and 6 end on June 30, 2027. After each end date, those sections no longer apply.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Daniel Zolnikov

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 375 • No: 24

Senate vote • 4/23/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 48 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 48 • No: 2

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 94 • No: 5

House vote • 4/14/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 100 • 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 House Amendments

    4/23/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading House Amendments

    4/22/2025Senate

  10. Revised Fiscal Note Printed

    4/22/2025Senate

  11. Returned to Senate with Amendments

    4/17/2025House

  12. 3rd Reading

    4/17/2025House

  13. Committee Report

    4/16/2025House

  14. Revised Fiscal Note Received

    4/16/2025Senate

  15. Committee Executive Action

    4/16/2025House

  16. Hearing

    4/15/2025House

  17. Rereferred to Committee

    4/14/2025House

  18. 2nd Reading

    4/14/2025House

  19. Revised Fiscal Note Requested

    4/10/2025Senate

  20. Committee Report

    4/9/2025House

  21. Committee Executive Action

    4/9/2025House

  22. 1st 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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