This bill revises the laws governing the School Funding Interim Commission in Montana, particularly focusing on the commission's structure and responsibilities for the 2025-2026 interim. Key changes include the establishment of a deadline for appointments to the commission by May 1 of the relevant year and the creation of an "Innovation and Excellence in Education Working Group." This working group is tasked with developing recommendations and an implementation plan to enhance the quality of public education in Montana, including conducting a benchmarking study against high-performing education systems.

Additionally, the bill modifies the commission's focus by emphasizing the need for a funding formula that is understandable, equitable, and prioritizes current student needs. It also includes several specific criteria for the funding formula, such as minimizing property tax impacts and rewarding academic growth. The bill appropriates $10,000 from the general fund to support the commission's activities in May and June 2025, and it amends Section 5-20-301 of the Montana Code Annotated to reflect these changes. Notably, the designation of an interim presiding officer has been removed from the bill.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 5-20-301
HB0153_1(1): 5-20-301
HB0153_1(10): 5-20-301
HB0153_1(11): 5-20-301
HB0153_1(12): 5-20-301
HB0153_1(2): 5-20-301
HB0153_1(3): 5-20-301
HB0153_1(4): 5-20-301
HB0153_1(5): 5-20-301
HB0153_1(6): 5-20-301
HB0153_1(7): 5-20-301
HB0153_1(8): 5-20-301
HB0153_1(9): 5-20-301
HB0153_1: 5-20-301
HB0153_2(1): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(10): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(11): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(12): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(13): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(14): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(15): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(16): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(17): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(18): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(19): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(2): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(20): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(21): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(22): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(3): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(4): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(5): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(6): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(7): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(8): 5-20-301
HB0153_2(9): 5-20-301
HB0153_2: 5-20-301
HB0153_3(1): 5-20-301
HB0153_3(10): 5-20-301
HB0153_3(11): 5-20-301
HB0153_3(12): 5-20-301
HB0153_3(2): 5-20-301
HB0153_3(3): 5-20-301
HB0153_3(4): 5-20-301
HB0153_3(5): 5-20-301
HB0153_3(6): 5-20-301
HB0153_3(7): 5-20-301
HB0153_3(8): 5-20-301
HB0153_3(9): 5-20-301
HB0153_3: 5-20-301
HB0153_X(1): 5-20-301
HB0153_X(2): 5-20-301
HB0153_X(3): 5-20-301
HB0153_X(4): 5-20-301
HB0153_X(5): 5-20-301
HB0153_X: 5-20-301