[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6116616,"mediaKeyId","2732646-0728a6ca2e68f1c18e98a145c30a7685","parentId",2732646,"title","House approves second reading of property tax cut that lowers multipliers for several classes","audioSeconds",205,"startMs",2215000,"endMs",2420000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2732646-0728a6ca2e68f1c18e98a145c30a7685&start=2215&end=2420","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2732646-0728a6ca2e68f1c18e98a145c30a7685/thumbnail_2215000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6116616/Montana/House-approves-second-reading-of-property-tax-cut-that-lowers-multipliers-for-several-classes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116616-1bac64aac9da3fd804410cad94501dc5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201160&Signature=WUWBzknneveDMJB-68~J3Omth7iw7tC0NK-xlkbDy2-UHavHviso6Db4nzbaMZ86NiDpcviL07eLe5Z7irh8HX-i06zuEqU-Gj4uQ6E0H19P3sDL56R74kEPBOjC86gSU5eqzfNtrNGtfxmTLQK~iwOvRuQFb9cALRNsoGY-Ly3AM1v6y2G5oc5Svaouyk3cYc3d5nOVWzA7Alh5Nqary9j-vwH~xD9eQkquK0q8N8a29RBKcKCHPS5cFT7o7J9Y3LiR6xfKnIbM~xlEHwwp71VjddkDTJQUVb2SJixT608jEFCEW7-67zxF5t-GlH~clHmeJILoLagKt9RYtAjbVA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Montana House approved on second reading a measure that would lower the state multipliers used to calculate property taxes for certain classes of property.

Representative Verne Byrne presented House Bill 528, which would reduce the multiplier for class 3 agricultural property from 2.16 to 1.7, adjust residential multipliers from 1.35 to 0.76, and change the commercial rate from 1.4 to 1.35 in the sections described in the bill. Byrne said the reductions would return multipliers closer to 2021 levels and estimated specific county-level savings: for example, a $100,000 home in Lincoln County would see a $93 reduction in taxes under the proposal.

The motion to recommend HB 528 do pass in the Committee of the Whole carried 90-9. Majority Leader Fitzpatrick later moved to re-refer HB 528 to the Appropriations Committee for fiscal review.

Sponsor testimony described the mechanics and sources of the multiplier calculations, and the sponsor said the adjustment would produce immediate tax relief for property owners, with calendar impacts on state funds in future fiscal years. The sponsor noted the bill relies on revenue shifts including university mills and other statutory levies.

Next steps: HB 528 goes to Appropriations for review of the fiscal note and funding adjustments required to make the multiplier changes operational. Specific appropriation mechanisms and timing will be considered in that committee; no appropriation was adopted on the House floor during this session’s recorded floor debate.

Why it matters: The proposed multiplier reductions affect property-tax obligations for agricultural, residential and commercial property across Montana and will be evaluated by Appropriations for their impact on state and local budgets.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Floor Session - Friday, Mar 21, 2025 12:59 - 15:43","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 528 passed second reading in the Committee of the Whole, 90-9. The bill reduces multipliers used to calculate property tax for class 3 agricultural property and class 4 residential and commercial property and was re‑referred to Appropriations for funding considerations.","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},6116622,"House advances childcare worker scholarships but rejects broader income-eligibility expansion",371,2429000,2800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2732646-0728a6ca2e68f1c18e98a145c30a7685&start=2429&end=2800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2732646-0728a6ca2e68f1c18e98a145c30a7685/thumbnail_2429000.jpg","/articles/6116622/Montana/House-advances-childcare-worker-scholarships-but-rejects-broader-income-eligibility-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6116622-aa3bc8815661b96a69c39a50e601433e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201160&Signature=lb8-cBxm7bcqdH5FouOSdyTQO4yutPUl9PvIrf-1ZV4RLRzVw1~c9x61Ay9Z2k7hFRcUwzlPHhDAlhvcmfjub7xQ3NdMPrGqsyc-DK9Fk4O1W0GJjtcblztyaWlBDr9E-BOhnAkxtqObvAmBzncCJtqC2tCf-b0m0cl6ScoCfkXRhhqYTKbF09BRUzeAWG52EmUUuZh7vFop~BXHZuez1EwctAOFXr8kW0URbIOfbUsputBAvHvWqQc-ZgHQuBMCiXKP9kdCwiXbtOLCNsaRFuX0CfZRt-AaswNTe~wwCNfd7ShhMIxVF7fGhCDo6T9idZXDR3MhGCnx3d10P-0LcQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Montana House on Friday advanced a measure to expand Best Beginnings childcare scholarships for people who work in licensed childcare settings but rejected a linked bill that would have widened family income eligibility.

House Bill 456, sponsored by Representative Katie Carlin, passed second reading in the House Committee of the Whole by a 61-38 vote and will be re-referred to the Appropriations Committee for consideration of its $5.5 million-per-year general fund appropriation.

The scholarship bill is intended to improve retention and recruitment of childcare workers by allowing workers’ children to receive scholarships that reduce families’ out-of-pocket costs. Representative Carlin told the committee the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) provided data used to model the $5.5 million figure and that resource-and-referral agencies would administer eligibility and co-pay calculations.

Supporters said the program helps workers stay in the workforce and helps employers fill openings. Representative James Howell cited Department of Labor and Industry data showing that lack of childcare prevents business expansion and said the investment could increase workforce participation. Representative Konhauer said the bill is “an investment” that could add taxpayers by enabling parents to work.

Opponents focused on scale and recurring cost. Representative Annette Mercer said the pair of bills would total roughly $44 million over the biennium and urged caution about increasing recurring state spending. Representative Kelly raised concerns about continuing large fiscal notes and said the House should “stop spending.” Representative Schillinger called the measure corporate welfare for childcare providers.

A second, companion bill, House Bill 457, sponsored by Representative Carlin, would have raised the program’s family eligibility to 85% of state median income (the maximum allowed under federal rules) and carried a fiscal note totaling roughly $17 million per year. After floor debate, HB 457 failed second reading in the Committee of the Whole, 44-55.

Both bills were described in committee testimony as built on Montana’s Best Beginnings pilot and comparable programs in other states. Carlin said DPHHS would screen applicants to confirm employment or training status, determine income-based co-pays, and assign scholarship payments to licensed providers. Representative Gillette noted the fiscal note for HB 457 at $17 million per year and asked lawmakers to weigh that increase against the state budget.

Because HB 456 carries a general-fund appropriation, it now goes to Appropriations for consideration of funding levels. No final appropriation was adopted on the House floor during the session recorded in the transcript.

Votes at a glance: HB 456 — second reading (do pass to Appropriations): 61 aye, 38 no; HB 457 — second reading (do pass): 44 aye, 55 no.

Implementation and next steps: If Appropriations funds HB 456 and the legislature ultimately passes the bill, DPHHS and local resource-and-referral agencies would administer applications and disbursements. HB 457’s failure means the eligibility expansion proposed there will not move forward unless reintroduced or attached in another vehicle.

Why it matters: Supporters framed HB 456 as workforce policy that could unlock additional labor participation; opponents said the state should avoid recurring large appropriations without clearer proof of long-term cost-effectiveness.","The Montana House moved House Bill 456, authorizing Best Beginnings scholarships for childcare workers, to appropriations after a 61-38 second-reading vote. A companion measure to expand family eligibility, House Bill 457, failed on second reading, 44-55.","actionData","errors"]

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House approves second reading of property tax cut that lowers multipliers for several classes

House advances childcare worker scholarships but rejects broader income-eligibility expansion