Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes an amendment to Article VIII, Section 13 of the Montana Constitution, allowing a portion of the coal severance tax trust fund to be invested in private corporate stock. The bill modifies existing legal language by deleting the prohibition against investing public funds in private corporate capital stock, while inserting provisions that permit up to 25 percent of the coal severance tax trust fund to be allocated for such investments. Additionally, the bill maintains the requirement for the investment program to be audited annually and reported to the governor and legislature.

The bill also establishes that it requires a two-thirds affirmative roll call vote from the legislature for passage, as it is a constitutional amendment. If approved, the amendment will be submitted to the qualified electors of Montana during the general election in November 2026, where voters will have the opportunity to approve or reject the proposed changes.