Final battle in Montana statehouse over ‘Frankenstein’ spending bill

Final battle in Montana statehouse over ‘Frankenstein’ spending bill

Once a six-page proposal, HB 863, which cleared its final legislative vote on the last day of the 2025 session, became a twenty-pager that touches many corners of Montana law.

Legislature wraps after months of work on taxes, health policy, education funding

The 69th Montana Legislature ended Wednesday after authorizing residential property tax relief and finalizing spending measures including a $16.6 billion budget bill to fund the state’s operations for the next two years.The House wrapped up its business with little fanfare at 12:59 p.m. on a 96-4 vote to indefinitely adjourn, first giving final approval to tax bills that favored homeowners and drew protests just a day earlier from refineries, th…

Montana Legislature wraps after passing property tax relief, but not without final drama

The 69th Montana Legislature adjourned Wednesday after passing sweeping property tax legislation and a far-reaching spending bill, but not before a final dose of drama in the Senate.

Montana Legislature's 69th session comes to a close

After 85 working days, the Montana Legislature wrapped up its 69th session Wednesday.Only a few hours after the House and Senate adjourned sine die meaning without a date to return most lawmakers had already packed up their desks and headed out of the State Capitol.(Watch the video to see some of the scenes from the last day of the Legislature's 2025 session.) 69th Montana Legislature comes to a closeThe House began their 85th legislative day ar…

Property tax relief package clears Montana Legislature • Daily Montanan

The Montana state capitol pictured after a late-night Senate vote on Jan. 9, 2025. (Micah Drew/Daily Montanan)The final priority for the 69th Montana Legislature — one many lawmakers campaigned on — passed both chambers on the final day of the session.  Property tax relief for residential payers has been top of mind for legislators following historic increases in property values during the last few years, with more anticipated this year, accordi…

Second-home tax bills advance over opposition from Montana business lobby

Bills aiming to reduce tax bills for homeowners, landlords are heading through their final votes.