House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to revise the laws governing the School Funding Interim Commission in Montana. Key changes include the establishment of a deadline for appointments to the commission, which must now be made by May 1 in the year the commission is formed. The bill modifies the commission's membership structure, ensuring equal representation from both the majority and minority parties in the House and Senate, and introduces a new requirement for the commission to form an "Innovation and Excellence in Education Working Group" during the 2025-2026 interim. This working group will focus on developing recommendations and an implementation plan to enhance the quality of public education in Montana.

Additionally, the bill outlines specific objectives for the commission, including the need for a funding formula that is understandable, transparent, and equitable, while also prioritizing current-year student education funding. The working group is tasked with conducting a benchmarking study against high-performing education systems and developing actionable recommendations by January 30, 2026. The bill also includes an appropriation of $10,000 from the general fund to support the commission's activities in May and June 2025, and it stipulates that appointments for the 2025-2026 commission must be completed within 15 days of the act's effective date.

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(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