This bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to facilitate the deposit of revenue from school equalization levies into the newly established School Equalization and Property Tax Reduction Account. Key amendments include the replacement of references to the "state general fund" with the "school equalization and property tax reduction account" in multiple sections, specifically 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, and 20-9-333. The bill also modifies the distribution percentages of tax revenues collected from bentonite production, ensuring that a significant portion is allocated to the new account to support elementary and high school funding programs.

Additionally, the bill outlines the procedures for the distribution of these funds, including the requirement for counties to remit surplus funds to the new account when the revenue exceeds the necessary amounts for state advances for county equalization. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the funding mechanisms for school districts in Montana by redirecting tax revenues to support educational programs and reduce property taxes.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_1(1): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_1(2): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_1(3): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_1(4): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_1(5): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_1(6): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_1: 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_2(1): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_2(10): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_2(2): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_2(3): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_2(4): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_2(5): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_2(6): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_2(7): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_2(8): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_2(9): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_2: 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_3: 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_X(1): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_X(10): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_X(11): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_X(12): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_X(13): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_X(14): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_X(2): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_X(3): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_X(4): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_X(5): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_X(6): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_X(7): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_X(8): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_X(9): 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333
HB0018_X: 15-39-110, 17-3-222, 20-9-331, 20-9-332, 20-9-333