House Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes amendments to the school funding laws in Montana, specifically revising the calculation of the Average Number Belonging (ANB) by moving the second enrollment count date from the first Monday in February to the last Monday in January. This change is intended to streamline the enrollment counting process and ensure that funding calculations are more timely. The bill also includes various adjustments to the language regarding the inclusion of students in the ANB calculations, such as clarifying the treatment of students enrolled in multiple programs and the conditions under which students with disabilities may be counted.

The bill amends Section 20-9-311 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) and introduces new sections that establish an effective date of July 1, 2025, and specify that the changes will apply to school fiscal years beginning and enrollment counts conducted on or after that date. Additionally, the bill removes redundant phrases and clarifies existing provisions related to the calculation of ANB, ensuring that the language is more precise and easier to understand. Overall, the proposed changes aim to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of school funding calculations in Montana.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 20-9-311
HB0023_1(1): 20-9-311
HB0023_1(2): 20-9-311
HB0023_1(3): 20-9-311
HB0023_1(4): 20-9-311
HB0023_1(5): 20-9-311
HB0023_1: 20-9-311