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House Taxation takes up bill to require voter levies be set in dollars rather than mills
Summary
Sponsors presented House Bill 20 to require many voter‑approved levies be specified as dollar amounts instead of mill levies; proponents said it clarifies voter intent while opponents warned set‑dollar levies can erode operational funding and proposed amendments (including inflation adjustments). Committee expects amendments before executive action.
Representative Larry Brewster opened the hearing on House Bill 20, describing a measure that would, for many local voted levies, require the ballot question to specify a dollar amount rather than a mill levy. Brewster said the change aims to prevent local governments from collecting more revenue simply because property values rise; he noted an amendment removes school districts from the bill because education budgeting is governed under Title 20.
Supporters told the committee the bill clarifies what voters approve and limits local governments’ ability to capture value gains from reappraisals. Bob Story of the Montana Taxpayers Association and Daniel Cox of the Montana…
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