Representative Edward Byrne, sponsor of House Bill 329, told the House Taxation Committee on the bill’s hearing that HB 329 would remove the 10-year sunset from the Montana Ammunition Availability Act to restore tax exemptions intended to encourage manufacturers of ammunition components to locate in Montana.

The bill, Byrne said, would "remove the 10 year sunset in Montana Code Annotated part 2, Montana Ammunition Availability Act, 30-20-201 through 30-20-206," and reinstate provisions he described as the law’s original intent. Byrne said the fiscal note remains $0 because, he said, there are currently no eligible businesses in Montana that would immediately claim the exemptions.

The committee heard three proponents in person. Gary Marbut, president of the Montana Shooting Sports Association, said U.S. capacity for smokeless powder and primers is limited and largely relies on foreign manufacturing. "We have only two facilities in America that manufacture smokeless powder," Marbut said, naming a General Dynamics plant and the Alliant plant in Virginia; he said some production has shifted overseas and that foreign ownership of domestic firms has reduced guaranteed domestic supply. Marbut urged tax incentives to simulate the subsidies that smaller foreign manufacturers receive and said commercial reloaders in Montana already supply large contract volumes.

Tiffany Susan, who testified as a private citizen and small business owner from Missoula, said she supports the bill because she believes manufacturing could create jobs and make ammunition more affordable, which she said could increase practice and gun-safety training.

Richie Melby testified on behalf of Secretary of State Christy Jacobson, saying the secretary supports a "do pass" recommendation and arguing the bill could bolster Montana businesses and the state’s shooting heritage.

Dylan Cole of the Department of Revenue served as an informational witness on the fiscal note. In committee questioning, Representative Thain asked whether other industries in Montana receive full tax exemptions comparable to what HB 329 proposes; Cole said he was not aware of any but offered to search the code and report back. Representative Close asked whether businesses taking advantage of the statute would use Montana courts if sued; committee exchange clarified jurisdictional questions but did not change the bill text.

Representative Byrne told the committee the bill aims to entice manufacturers of black powder and primer components to locate in Montana and that the governor’s economic development office and Montana Commerce Department had been involved in restoring the statute to its earlier form. He closed the hearing by noting outreach at industry events and that the hearing was concluded; no committee action or vote was recorded during the hearing.

Ending: The committee closed the hearing on HB 329 without a recorded vote and proceeded to open hearings on other bills. No opponents testified in person or online during the HB 329 hearing.