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Rep. Byrne seeks to restore tax exemptions to attract ammunition-component makers to Montana
Summary
House Bill 329 would remove a 10-year sunset in the Montana Ammunition Availability Act to restore property- and income-tax exemptions designed to attract domestic manufacturers of primers, black powder and other ammunition components. Proponents said shortages show a national supply vulnerability; no opponents appeared at the hearing.
Representative Edward Byrne introduced House Bill 329 to the House Taxation Committee, saying the measure restores language removed by a 10-year sunset and is intended to encourage manufacturers of ammunition components — such as black powder and primers — to locate in Montana. "It's a simple common sense bill that removes the 10 year sunset in Montana code annotated part 2," Byrne said.
Gary Marbut, president of the Montana Shooting Sports Association, told the committee that the United States now has very limited domestic production of smokeless powder and primers and that recent corporate changes left only a small number of domestic facilities. "One of them is that General Dynamics plant in Saint Mark's, Florida. The other is the Alliant plant in Virginia," Marbut said, and he urged the committee to restore tax incentives to mimic the targeted subsidies used in some foreign markets.
Proponents argued the measure intentionally excludes existing bullet manufacturers so it would not immediately cost state revenue: Marbut said the bill's current fiscal note remains $0 because there are no qualifying component manufacturers in Montana today. Richie Melby, speaking for Secretary of State Christy Jacobson, described the bill as consistent with the administration's economic-development priorities and urged a "do pass" recommendation.
Dylan Cole of the Department of Revenue identified himself as the informational witness on fiscal matters and said he could answer committee questions about the fiscal note. Committee members asked whether other industries enjoy similar full tax exemptions; Cole said he was not aware of any but offered to search the code and report back.
No opponents testified in the room or online on HB 329. The sponsor reserved the right to close; the chair closed the hearing on the bill. The bill will next move to committee work and potential executive action on the schedule determined by the House Taxation Committee.
