House Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to enhance the funding framework for school facilities and technology in Montana by consolidating two existing state special revenue accounts and increasing financial resources for school districts. Key provisions include raising the school major maintenance amount from $15,000 to $40,000 and adjusting the per-student funding calculation from $23 to $110. The bill also introduces a new formula for calculating school major maintenance aid, increasing the percentage of state support from 187% to 355% for every dollar of local effort. Additionally, it revises the frequency of transfers from the school facilities fund from monthly to annually and updates account references to align with the new funding structure.

The legislation further mandates that the BASE budget levy for K-12 districts be prorated based on funding amounts for elementary and high school programs, and it requires separate calculations for levy authority limits and state school major maintenance aid. The bill also repeals outdated statutory appropriations for school technology purposes and establishes a new transfer of funds to ensure the school facilities fund reaches a balance of $300 million by August 15, 2025. Overall, this bill aims to provide a more stable and robust financial support system for K-12 education in Montana, ensuring that school districts can effectively maintain their infrastructure and technological needs.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 17-5-703, 17-7-502, 20-6-702, 20-9-380, 20-9-502, 20-9-516, 20-9-525, 20-9-533, 20-9-622, 20-9-635
HB0515_1(1): 17-5-703, 17-7-502, 20-6-702, 20-9-380, 20-9-502, 20-9-516, 20-9-525, 20-9-533, 20-9-622, 20-9-635
HB0515_1(2): 17-5-703, 17-7-502, 20-6-702, 20-9-380, 20-9-502, 20-9-516, 20-9-525, 20-9-533, 20-9-622, 20-9-635
HB0515_1(3): 17-5-703, 17-7-502, 20-6-702, 20-9-380, 20-9-502, 20-9-516, 20-9-525, 20-9-533, 20-9-622, 20-9-635
HB0515_1(4): 17-5-703, 17-7-502, 20-6-702, 20-9-380, 20-9-502, 20-9-516, 20-9-525, 20-9-533, 20-9-622, 20-9-635
HB0515_1(5): 17-5-703, 17-7-502, 20-6-702, 20-9-380, 20-9-502, 20-9-516, 20-9-525, 20-9-533, 20-9-622, 20-9-635
HB0515_1(6): 17-5-703, 17-7-502, 20-6-702, 20-9-380, 20-9-502, 20-9-516, 20-9-525, 20-9-533, 20-9-622, 20-9-635
HB0515_1: 17-5-703, 17-7-502, 20-6-702, 20-9-380, 20-9-502, 20-9-516, 20-9-525, 20-9-533, 20-9-622, 20-9-635
HB0515_2(1): 17-5-703, 17-7-502, 20-6-702, 20-9-380, 20-9-502, 20-9-516, 20-9-525, 20-9-533, 20-9-622, 20-9-635
HB0515_2(2): 17-5-703, 17-7-502, 20-6-702, 20-9-380, 20-9-502, 20-9-516, 20-9-525, 20-9-533, 20-9-622, 20-9-635
HB0515_2(3): 17-5-703, 17-7-502, 20-6-702, 20-9-380, 20-9-502, 20-9-516, 20-9-525, 20-9-533, 20-9-622, 20-9-635
HB0515_2(4): 17-5-703, 17-7-502, 20-6-702, 20-9-380, 20-9-502, 20-9-516, 20-9-525, 20-9-533, 20-9-622, 20-9-635
HB0515_2(5): 17-5-703, 17-7-502, 20-6-702, 20-9-380, 20-9-502, 20-9-516, 20-9-525, 20-9-533, 20-9-622, 20-9-635
HB0515_2(6): 17-5-703, 17-7-502, 20-6-702, 20-9-380, 20-9-502, 20-9-516, 20-9-525, 20-9-533, 20-9-622, 20-9-635
HB0515_2(7): 17-5-703, 17-7-502, 20-6-702, 20-9-380, 20-9-502, 20-9-516, 20-9-525, 20-9-533, 20-9-622, 20-9-635
HB0515_2(8): 17-5-703, 17-7-502, 20-6-702, 20-9-380, 20-9-502, 20-9-516, 20-9-525, 20-9-533, 20-9-622, 20-9-635
HB0515_2: 17-5-703, 17-7-502, 20-6-702, 20-9-380, 20-9-502, 20-9-516, 20-9-525, 20-9-533, 20-9-622, 20-9-635