The bill proposes significant changes to the boundaries of hospital and school districts in Montana, focusing on improving public service accessibility. It introduces new procedures for petitioning boundary changes, which include public hearings and elections, and establishes criteria for qualified petitioners. The legislation emphasizes the need for accessibility, allowing property owners to seek boundary alterations when faced with physical barriers or inadequate emergency service access. Key provisions include the requirement for public hearings after petitions, a process for school districts to obtain reconciliation payments for isolated pupils, and the division of taxable values between districts for three years following a territory transfer. Additionally, any property withdrawn from a district will remain liable for existing debts.

The bill also outlines a framework for reconciling taxable valuations and transferring territory between school districts, particularly for the benefit of isolated pupils. It mandates that when a petition for a school district of attendance is approved, the resident district must impose a levy and make a reconciliation payment based on the number of isolated pupils, with specific calculations incorporated into the tuition budget. The legislation establishes an advisory council to engage with communities regarding the educational needs of isolated pupils and details the petition process and necessary approvals for territory transfers. It includes provisions for sharing taxable values for three years and outlines financial obligations related to reconciliation payments. The bill amends Section 20-6-105, MCA, to refine the procedures for territory transfers and requires notification to the Department of Revenue upon approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 20-6-105
SB0260_1(1): 20-6-105
SB0260_1(2): 20-6-105
SB0260_1(3): 20-6-105
SB0260_1(4): 20-6-105
SB0260_1(5): 20-6-105
SB0260_1: 20-6-105
SB0260_2(1): 20-6-105
SB0260_2(10): 20-6-105
SB0260_2(11): 20-6-105
SB0260_2(12): 20-6-105
SB0260_2(13): 20-6-105
SB0260_2(14): 20-6-105
SB0260_2(15): 20-6-105
SB0260_2(2): 20-6-105
SB0260_2(3): 20-6-105
SB0260_2(4): 20-6-105
SB0260_2(5): 20-6-105
SB0260_2(6): 20-6-105
SB0260_2(7): 20-6-105
SB0260_2(8): 20-6-105
SB0260_2(9): 20-6-105
SB0260_2: 20-6-105
SB0260_3(1): 20-6-105
SB0260_3(2): 20-6-105
SB0260_3(3): 20-6-105
SB0260_3(4): 20-6-105
SB0260_3: 20-6-105
SB0260_4(1): 20-6-105
SB0260_4(10): 20-6-105
SB0260_4(11): 20-6-105
SB0260_4(2): 20-6-105
SB0260_4(3): 20-6-105
SB0260_4(4): 20-6-105
SB0260_4(5): 20-6-105
SB0260_4(6): 20-6-105
SB0260_4(7): 20-6-105
SB0260_4(8): 20-6-105
SB0260_4(9): 20-6-105
SB0260_4: 20-6-105
SB0260_X(1): 20-6-105
SB0260_X(10): 20-6-105
SB0260_X(11): 20-6-105
SB0260_X(12): 20-6-105
SB0260_X(13): 20-6-105
SB0260_X(14): 20-6-105
SB0260_X(15): 20-6-105
SB0260_X(2): 20-6-105
SB0260_X(3): 20-6-105
SB0260_X(4): 20-6-105
SB0260_X(5): 20-6-105
SB0260_X(6): 20-6-105
SB0260_X(7): 20-6-105
SB0260_X(8): 20-6-105
SB0260_X(9): 20-6-105
SB0260_X: 20-6-105