Appropriations subcommittee approves recruitment fund, advances contingent property‑tax funding and several agency DPs; blocks capital development transfer

The Montana House and Senate appropriations subcommittee met in Helena to finish “cleanup” work on decision packages (DPs) carried over from prior days, advancing a series of budget adjustments and contingent appropriations while rejecting one transfer to the Capital Development Authority.

The panel moved quickly through a long list of technical and programmatic DPs. Lawmakers approved a smaller recruitment and retention contingency fund, advanced contingent funding tied to pending property‑tax bills, cleared several Department of Military Affairs and Department of Commerce requests, and approved an Office of Political Practices audit position to increase review of lobbyist filings. Members rejected a proposed general‑fund transfer to the Capital Development Authority after a roll call vote.

Why it matters: the subcommittee’s votes set the spending recommendations that will go to full appropriations and, ultimately, to the 2025 Legislature’s final budget. Several actions are contingent on separate bills (not yet enacted) and will only take effect if those bills pass. The committee’s decisions also reflect ongoing debate over centralizing recruitment money in a budget office versus leaving discretion with individual agencies.

Most important actions

- Transfer to Capital Development Authority (DP 103). The subcommittee voted on a motion from Senator Flowers to move DP 103 (general fund transfer to the Capital Development Authority). On a roll call the motion failed, 3 ayes, 5 noes. Recorded yes votes: Senator Harvey, Representative Muscovitch, Senator Flowers. No votes included Vice Chair Mandeville, Senator Cieszak, Representative Walsh, Senator Lammers and Chair Falk. Committee clerks announced the motion failed and the transfer was not adopted.

- Major maintenance transfer (DP 104). The companion transfer to the department’s major maintenance/repair account was moved and approved by voice vote during the same sequence after the committee divided the question.

- Recruitment and retention contingency (DP 403). Members approved a revised DP 403 — a recruitment and retention contingency fund run through the…