[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6621363,"mediaKeyId","2802911-c34c1fccbcb0b888c1905ba8558ac696","parentId",2802911,"title","Votes at a glance: committee executive actions and roll calls","audioSeconds",630,"startMs",7290000,"endMs",7920000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2802911-c34c1fccbcb0b888c1905ba8558ac696&start=7290&end=7920","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2802911-c34c1fccbcb0b888c1905ba8558ac696/thumbnail_7290000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6621363/Montana/Votes-at-a-glance-committee-executive-actions-and-roll-calls","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621363-57945ff399cbe5d5dcd858f583a979ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143725&Signature=EVLzQsxcFRCMZyFmqpxqR02XTd01BylGaIm~QmdHKO4xGrEMRQqmL61clzC5-ESfzD4r1EBsEFwPYkQykJ4Cb9c3Pz-ezQOXKWZ-ZCX75FnhG9k7Kk3bxnMjT4Q4gwkFy-lL2tRt1L682DhVbOol392ryZldfStjoE0ANjreA0KUW1c3H2ZZo53BNNGWiJ2jcMAIyJOV5zX7FqYJRnfAQKKJ86be6NMV9BOSAbDzQDEGC8j6MP37G-jpH1MAqRpu3VH0Fr6UsN71FZ096Ozlt~IzKSHjTm0AMJpOKXuGfYKiNTjkGjaamd~MlR2~L16A0B1xutWSellwMfS~vXtI1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-27T00:00:00Z","article","During the meeting the committee conducted executive actions and recorded roll-call results on several bills. The transcript records the motions, amendment votes and final outcomes listed below. The committee moved bills by voice or roll call as recorded; where a roll call was taken the transcript provides tallies.

- HB 833 (prison capacity bill): Sponsor offered an amendment; amendment was adopted by voice and the committee later approved the once-amended bill by roll call. The transcript records the final tally as 22 yes, 1 no; outcome: passed out of committee on a do-pass motion.

- HB 762 (Fish, Wildlife and Parks study bill): Committee approved the bill on roll call. The transcript records 21 yes and 2 no; outcome: passed out of committee on a do-pass motion.

- SB 167 (Noxious Weed Trust): Committee adopted an amendment to place $10 million into the trust and to adjust interest distribution; the bill as amended passed by voice vote with no recorded opposing votes in the transcript.

- SB 104 (bonding/loan access bill): Committee voted; transcript roll call recorded 18 yes and 5 no; outcome: passed out of committee on a do-pass motion.

Motions and movers (as recorded):
- Vice Chair moved do pass on HB 833; sponsor moved the amendment; amendment passed by voice and bill passed by roll call (22–1).
- Vice Chair moved do pass on HB 762; bill passed by roll call (21–2).
- Representative Edmond moved the amendment to SB 167 to allocate $10,000,000 into the trust; amendment and the bill as amended passed by voice vote.
- Chair moved do pass on SB 104; bill passed by roll call (18–5).

The committee transcript does not include a complete individual-by-individual vote list mapped to each roll call in a machine-friendly table; the transcript shows roll-call names and votes in sequence. The above tallies and outcomes reflect the counts and results as read aloud in committee.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Appropriations - Mar 27, 2025 16:00 - 19:00","oneSentenceSummary","The committee took executive action on multiple bills during the meeting; the items below list motions, amendments and final tally outcomes recorded in the transcript.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6621368,"Proposal would set aside $6 million for low-interest loans to reopen closed sawmills",3241,3356000,6597000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2802911-c34c1fccbcb0b888c1905ba8558ac696&start=3356&end=6597","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2802911-c34c1fccbcb0b888c1905ba8558ac696/thumbnail_3356000.jpg","/articles/6621368/Montana/Proposal-would-set-aside-6-million-for-low-interest-loans-to-reopen-closed-sawmills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621368-0fdcc058687dadccb18e38c1a287edfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143725&Signature=RVhZ5vbHMK~Vp9X4kskYM12xnHaHgHLF4OH6AXFp7QGLx3b4hZTv-3ghFrOwMl~iJSuoJHYUwp0gR5iNMerS86ITOb-C7YJz46GB1FxQebHdYOdKZYbFbCNJKJ0ozrSs8FcAFxnhvFEHqoz63sdCLHCu~2Sl-No0J-~yCJrYGK1wUie-t~xvCnx-zknFyH3EARH44YahgEIYh3ZvngosbpxXWNbyig9UAl9c3XhnUpXls5S9~XY87-bLfEYZF4LHJg8ozlJ7OzVdxmOYkX8SY3U1yq9VdD8Y1UdmM03smZBDUoYbUtQQWDb5S7XmW7-mjzTePoTxD4GOSYGjIcwq9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A coalition of local economic-development groups, loggers and forest-management interests urged the committee to support House Bill 876, which would appropriate $6 million to the Board of Investments to make low-interest loans (capped at 3%) to entities that reopen sawmills shuttered in the previous three years.

Representative John Fitzpatrick, the sponsor, said the measure — labeled the Montana Sawmill Revitalization Act in testimony — would help rural economies and improve forest health by creating outlets for harvested timber. \"This short piece of legislation ... appropriates $6,000,000 to the Board of Investments for the purposes of making low interest loans with a 3% interest cap to an entity that wishes to reopen a sawmill,\" Fitzpatrick said.

Grant Kier of the Missoula Economic Partnership described the bill as part of a larger capital stack being assembled with state partners and local governments to attract private investment. \"This is the first time that my board has allowed us to work on a project that does not need to land in Missoula County,\" Kier said, arguing the statewide benefits of restored mill capacity.

Other proponents — including the Missoula Chamber of Commerce, the Montana Logging Association and forestry consultants — said mills support jobs, local economies and forest treatments that can reduce wildfire risk by making treatments financially viable. Zachary Bashore (online) and other witnesses warned that loss of local mill capacity raises costs for fuels-reduction and restoration work.

Several committee members pressed sponsors and investment officials on practical questions: where log supply would come from, how workforce and housing constraints affect recovery of capacity, and whether $6 million is adequate to attract the private capital needed. Board of Investments and Department of Commerce representatives said the proposed program is structured as a commercial loan program: applicants typically must pass underwriting by a participating bank, provide equity, and the BOI would participate in a portion of the loan, with the BOI requiring sufficient collateral and frequently personal guarantees.

Sponsor Fitzpatrick said the $6 million would be a two-year, biennial program and that applicants would be expected to assemble the rest of a capital stack; he indicated the funding source would be adjusted in an amendment to the bill. Some proponents asked for a longer eligibility window and larger funding amounts; others asked that an existing Wood Products Revolving Loan Fund be preserved for small-business needs rather than used here.

The committee did not take final action. Members asked staff to schedule executive action only after receiving additional fiscal and technical information.","House Bill 876 would authorize $6 million for low-interest loans through the Board of Investments to incentivize reopening closed sawmills; supporters said mills are needed for local jobs and forest-health work, while committee members requested details on supply, workforce and funding sources.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6621373,"Bill would let homeowners holding residences in LLCs, trusts claim property tax rebate",1759,1599000,3358000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2802911-c34c1fccbcb0b888c1905ba8558ac696&start=1599&end=3358","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2802911-c34c1fccbcb0b888c1905ba8558ac696/thumbnail_1599000.jpg","/articles/6621373/Montana/Bill-would-let-homeowners-holding-residences-in-LLCs-trusts-claim-property-tax-rebate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621373-3f06dfa287c857fd33be965ae7586380/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143725&Signature=MoanEw~ca15M8tCG43uBt1l2uY3eTKwYhTFl7MEdDlHWu0rfbxcOVaep7Qp6NT-K1hd3TTpW9WMXolQW7djOQeiojPZFh7VKGoogsEIqGOXNTsQBnpAGjDZ2CtSlgx4BaAskOk8Uz4RNpJ3HUQ~68GklPdtn8j8WFJV~Ryxt6xFDBelIpLzeEzlJIjpFu9~Pc87BGgyqCgiUkAeL9BA6vdwCQTcG57oz7j-kogWeVQf3A4x~JlyoC50xU~D4WSDvci9HHg-SFRUhXcLoUgQaDknBAMNtRCERlV9cF14Jf5dJRv7V6VOxXI027mWgYEb350jBjX8HZkWqHCLhS86LPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lawmakers heard nearly three hours of testimony and questions on House Bill 874, which would extend the state’s property tax rebate to homeowners whose residences are owned by an entity such as an LLC, trust or other legal owner types.

Sponsor Representative Greg Schillinger explained that the bill is intended to include “hardworking or retired individuals” who were excluded from the prior rebate because title to their home was held in an entity. \"...they are just as deserving and should be given the opportunity,\" the sponsor said.

The bill text circulated and an amendment summary read by committee staff clarify eligibility and application procedures. The draft expands the rebate to single-family dwellings, units in multiunit buildings, manufactured homes and up to one acre of surrounding land when those properties are owned by an entity and were not issued a rebate under the prior statutory section cited in testimony (15-1-2304). The amendment also clarifies that a person who already received a rebate before the effective date may not receive a second rebate under the new provision.

Derek Bell, division administrator for the Department of Revenue’s business and income tax division, appeared as an informational witness and told the committee that the department will need time to design validation and application processes. \"We have not had a full opportunity to really think through the validation process,\" Bell said, noting cross-matching against county property tax records, income tax records and Secretary of State entity records could be tools to verify claimants.

Committee members asked whether irrevocable trusts would qualify, how an LLC with multiple members would be treated if several members lived in separate units of a multiunit property, and how the department would verify that an individual living in a property owned by an entity meets residency rules. Department staff said their interpretation of current bill language would allow some irrevocable trusts to qualify but that administrative details and a full fiscal estimate are still pending.

Lawmakers noted the bill’s electronic claim deadline language and the statutory claim deadline in the draft: the transcript cites a deadline to submit a claim by October 1, 2025, for eligible properties. Committee members repeatedly requested a fiscal note and technical clarifications before any further action.

The hearing closed without committee action; sponsors and the department said staff would return with fiscal and technical information.","House Bill 874 would allow owners whose primary residence is titled in an entity — such as an LLC or trust — to claim the property tax rebate enacted last session; the Department of Revenue said administration will require form and technology changes and a fiscal note is pending.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6621378,"Montana bill would consolidate school facilities funding, add $75 million to trust fund",1370,183000,1553000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2802911-c34c1fccbcb0b888c1905ba8558ac696&start=183&end=1553","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2802911-c34c1fccbcb0b888c1905ba8558ac696/thumbnail_183000.jpg","/articles/6621378/Montana/Montana-bill-would-consolidate-school-facilities-funding-add-75-million-to-trust-fund","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621378-5efc67b1c6b3529e7b161632181f9f87/orig.mp4?Expires=1771143725&Signature=CrmmvDtoX8K2K23cKUuboIqwf193rJVhEgl~~ZvS90xIZsdR9xXlZRWw8MeDSXwV9P3PWo1v~LxGrVfezttzTCizyefe9sdnCt8iUlpeMC32LM1qgqS7TAPPhz3kD1nsKMooWa94ONitUaqMKs7YwDozahwAFg3IaFLykYtilLSWRKEMT5laFKcNwIf2CzzWwXlngmPwHZISD9chmwIo4FawG-tBBkBBAYqkcPeJa2EQvA~h8RKadOyUtRjr7R9sLIcXnVfz13b6HVQLcMTJXimMiQHIlUkrXtmu1Cu1t1ZuRnvHE6h7fa8E-yBkhLRhOk3lKVN~aVtlMmZPblDNcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","House lawmakers heard testimony on House Bill 515 on funding for school facilities, with the sponsor saying the proposal would streamline multiple state funding streams into one “unified fund” and boost aid aimed at small rural districts.

Representative Linda Reksten, the bill sponsor, told the committee she introduced the measure to help districts “maintain facilities without less funds” and described changes that would consolidate major maintenance aid, debt service and a technology account under 20-9-516. \"This is my third school facilities bill,\" Reksten said, adding the measure is included in the governor’s budget.

Supporters and the bill sponsor said the bill seeks to prioritize technology spending first, then major maintenance — roofs, boilers and similar projects — and to allow districts to “bank” funds for future use. The bill would transfer $75 million from the general fund surplus into the coal severance tax facilities trust fund to raise the trust toward a $300 million cap and rely on interest earnings for ongoing payments.

Lance Melton of the Montana School Boards Association, speaking for a coalition of school groups, described technical corrections and distribution mechanics in the draft amendment that would redistribute any residual funds pro rata to districts that claimed their share. Melton also discussed formula changes in the bill, including raising the flat district amount and changing the per-A-and-B (average number of students) amount so smaller districts receive more state aid.

Amanda Curtis, president of the union representing public school employees, said school staff often see maintenance problems firsthand and urged passage.

Committee members asked how a district would access funds for an immediate need such as a leaking roof. Reksten and Melton said districts would apply through the Office of Public Instruction and that funds could be used to service debt where the Board of Investments is involved. Melton said the bill increases the GTB multiplier (the state’s relative share) to direct more state aid toward districts with low tax wealth.

Committee testimony referenced historic funding changes, prior legislation including Senate Bill 307, and the state constitutional obligation to assist school districts. Proponents argued the proposal expands the major maintenance program and adds $12 million in statewide annual aid in the draft language discussed at the hearing.

The hearing closed with the sponsor urging the committee to pass the bill and with staff and proponents noting a small number of technical fixes remain.

The committee did not take a vote on HB 515 during the hearing.","House Bill 515 would combine major maintenance aid, debt service and technology accounts into a single school facilities trust fund, transfer $75 million from the general fund surplus and change the state’s funding multiplier to increase aid for small, rural districts.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: committee executive actions and roll calls

Proposal would set aside $6 million for low-interest loans to reopen closed sawmills

Bill would let homeowners holding residences in LLCs, trusts claim property tax rebate

Montana bill would consolidate school facilities funding, add $75 million to trust fund