House Bill No. [insert number] aims to revise education laws in Montana to better support English learners by establishing state funding for school districts that serve these students. The bill introduces a new funding mechanism that allows public school districts or consortia receiving federal subgrants for programs serving students with limited English proficiency to access state matching funds. Specifically, the Office of Public Instruction will distribute funds based on prior year allocations, with stipulations on how the funds can be used, including developing new language instruction programs and enhancing existing educational activities.

Additionally, the bill proposes professional stipends for highly qualified teachers who hold specific certifications and work with English learners. The stipends will be tiered based on the teacher's assignment and the poverty level of the school, with the state covering a significant portion of the stipend costs. The bill also includes appropriations of $1 million for the first section and $75,000 for the second section for the fiscal years 2026 and 2027, and it mandates notification to tribal governments regarding the act. The effective date for the bill is set for July 1, 2025, with a termination date for the funding provisions on June 30, 2031.