MontanaSB 48669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET

Revise equal opportunity education savings account funding

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Monthly payments and 95/5 split for education savings accounts

Districts send a monthly payment for each participating student. The monthly amount equals the student’s annual ESA amount divided by 10. Payments are due by the 10th of the month after each BASE aid payment for August through May. The state deposits 95% into the student’s special needs education savings trust for allowed education costs. The remaining 5% goes to the state’s administration account for the program.

Education accounts close at age 24

When a participating student turns 24, the education savings account closes. Any money left in the account goes back to the state guarantee account. Plan to use funds before age 24.

State fronts first-year funds for education, later payback

A district can choose to have the state pay a student’s ESA amount in the first year. The state uses BASE aid money to make that first-year payment. In the first year after the student stops participating, the state reduces the district’s BASE aid by the same amount, plus the same inflation adjustment used for school entitlements. This option only applies in a student’s first year in the program.

Changes start July 1, 2025

This law takes effect July 1, 2025.

District funding source and student count rules

Districts must use their general fund to make ESA remittance payments and cannot use the state guarantee account. The state counts each participating student in the resident district’s funding student count used for state aid. No other district can count that student, and the student is not considered enrolled in the resident district.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Sue Vinton
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Eric Tilleman
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 292 • No: 6

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 94 • No: 6

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 50 • No: 0