The bill aims to provide an income tax benefit specifically for volunteer firefighters and volunteer emergency care providers in Montana. It introduces a new deduction from taxable income, allowing qualified volunteers to subtract an additional $3,000 from their federal taxable income, contingent upon meeting certain criteria such as being an active member of a volunteer fire company or emergency medical service and completing a minimum number of training hours. The bill also mandates an annual inflation adjustment to this deduction, ensuring that the benefit keeps pace with economic changes.

To implement this, the bill amends Section 15-30-2120 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) by adding the new deduction for qualified volunteers and specifying the conditions under which it can be claimed. Additionally, it includes provisions for the department of revenue to adjust the deduction amount based on inflation starting from income tax years after December 31, 2026. The effective date for the bill is set for January 1, 2026, and it applies to income tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 15-30-2120
HB0129_1(1): 15-30-2120
HB0129_1(2): 15-30-2120
HB0129_1(3): 15-30-2120
HB0129_1(4): 15-30-2120
HB0129_1(5): 15-30-2120
HB0129_1(6): 15-30-2120
HB0129_1(7): 15-30-2120
HB0129_1(8): 15-30-2120
HB0129_1: 15-30-2120
HB0129_X(1): 15-30-2120
HB0129_X(2): 15-30-2120
HB0129_X(3): 15-30-2120
HB0129_X(4): 15-30-2120
HB0129_X(5): 15-30-2120
HB0129_X(6): 15-30-2120
HB0129_X: 15-30-2120