Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to revise laws concerning student scholarship organizations in Montana by establishing a certification process through the Department of Revenue. The bill mandates that these organizations apply for certification before accepting donations eligible for tax credits, with specific requirements for maintaining transparency and accountability. Key provisions include the obligation for organizations to allocate at least 90% of their annual revenue from donations to scholarships, ensuring that scholarships are available to any qualified education provider chosen by the parents or guardians of eligible students. The bill also introduces new reporting requirements and stipulates that organizations must maintain detailed information on their websites regarding scholarship processes and awarded scholarships.

Additionally, the bill includes an appropriation of $206,000 from the general fund to the Department of Revenue for the implementation of these provisions, which is intended as a one-time-only appropriation. The effective date for the bill is set for July 1, 2025, with specific sections becoming effective on October 1, 2025. Notably, the bill removes previous legislative intent language and replaces it with the new appropriation clause, enhancing the focus on the operational aspects of student scholarship organizations.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_1(1): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_1(2): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_1(3): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_1(4): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_1(5): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_1(6): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_1: 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_2(1): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_2(10): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_2(11): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_2(12): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_2(13): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_2(14): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_2(2): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_2(3): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_2(4): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_2(5): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_2(6): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_2(7): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_2(8): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_2(9): 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_2: 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106
SB0253_3: 15-30-3102, 15-30-3103, 15-30-3105, 15-30-3106