Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to revise Montana's state finance laws by establishing the Montana Growth and Opportunity Trust, which will be funded through annual transfers of volatile revenues. The bill outlines the allocation of funds from the trust, with half designated for distribution to various state accounts, including property tax assistance, water development, and early childhood programs, while the other half will be reinvested. Additionally, it introduces new accounts such as the Montana Housing Trust and the Montana Early Childhood Account, aimed at providing financial support for housing and early childhood education initiatives. The bill also includes provisions for property tax assistance for primary residences, requiring counties to administer this assistance and establishing a certification process for property owners.

Moreover, the bill amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to enhance property tax assistance programs and streamline the appeals process for property owners. It includes a new State Property Tax Assistance Account within the state special revenue fund, which will provide financial assistance for property taxes, and mandates detailed notifications to taxpayers regarding their obligations. The bill also repeals Section 17-7-134 and introduces various amendments to ensure effective management of state funds, including specific allocations for the pension fund and other special revenue accounts. Overall, the bill aims to improve financial support for critical areas such as housing, early childhood services, and infrastructure development while enhancing transparency and accountability in property tax assessments.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_1(1): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_1(10): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_1(11): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_1(12): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_1(13): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_1(2): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_1(3): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_1(4): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_1(5): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_1(6): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_1(7): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_1(8): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_1(9): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_1: 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_2(1): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_2(2): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_2(3): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_2(4): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_2(5): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_2(6): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_2(7): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_2(8): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_2: 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_3(1): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_3(2): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_3(3): 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609
SB0287_3: 17-6-202, 17-6-214, 17-7-134, 19-3-316, 19-20-609