Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Social Supports Childcare topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee hears brief support for child tax credit bill that targets low- and middle-income families
Summary
Representative Mary Cafaro opened House Bill 220, which would create a state child tax credit tied to the federal child tax credit. Proponents told the committee the credit would help low- and moderate-income families; the hearing included brief proponent testimony and no opponents.
HELENA — Representative Mary Cafaro presented House Bill 220, which would create a Montana child tax credit aligned with the federal child tax credit and targeted to low- and moderate-income families with children.
Cafaro told the committee the proposal would apply to roughly 46,000 households and about 84,000 dependents, and that eligibility would mirror the federal child tax credit to simplify administration. “House Bill 2 20 provides a child tax credit and it would apply to families who are middle income, low income and have children under the 8,000,” Cafaro said, noting program scope and administrative alignment with federal rules.
Supporters included the Montana Budget and Policy Center and 0 to 5 Montana. Rose Bender of the Montana Budget and Policy Center said the group “believes this is a good investment in lower and moderate income Montana families.” Caitlin Jensen of 0 to 5 Montana described the proposed $1,200 credit as “a really great investment in our Montana families,” citing inflation-related pressures since 2020.
No opponents or informational witnesses participated online or in the room, and committee members asked no substantive follow-up questions during the brief hearing. The sponsor said she would focus on the fiscal note and asked the committee to advance the bill for further review.
Ending: The hearing was brief; sponsors asked the committee to consider fiscal impacts and to move the bill forward. No vote or committee action was recorded during the hearing.
