MNA Legislative Wrap-Up: Montana’s 69th Legislative Session 

Montana’s Legislature officially adjourned on April 30^th, closing out four months of debate on nearly 1,800 bills. As my first session with MNA, it was certainly a learning experience – from diving into the impacts of policy proposals, to building relationships with nonprofit advocates from across the sector. Throughout the session, I turned to many of you for expertise and guidance on the issues you know best, and it was an honor to advocate alongside such inspiring partners.  I am grateful to finish this session with a deeper understanding of the policies impacting nonprofits and a renewed appreciation for the collective work we do to strengthen Montana communities.   

This session brought meaningful wins for Montana’s nonprofit sector. We successfully defeated several harmful bills that would have undermined the work of nonprofits.  We celebrated a significant victory with the passage of HB 245, continuing Montana’s Medicaid expansion program. We also saw new investments in housing and childcare, critical supports for Montana families and our workforce.  

MNA’s advocacy was guided by our Public Policy Agenda, with ongoing guidance from MNA’s Public Policy Council. As we reflect on the outcomes of this session, we are already assessing where MNA can continue to lead, grow as a partner, and deepen our impact.   

Though the legislature has adjourned, our policy work continues. During the interim, MNA will build on efforts around state contracts and grants, and how we can best support nonprofits in that process. We will also be monitoring implications of federal funding cuts and what they mean for our state budget and essential programs. And we will shift more attention to federal policy, advocating for the protection of the nonprofit sector and the people we serve.  

Do you have feedback on the session – about MNA’s advocacy or how the session affected your organization or the people you serve? Please reach out to Lorianne Burhop, Policy Director at [email protected]. 

MNA saw a lot of harmful bills in this area and succeeded in defeating most, including HB 709, HB 896, and HB 927, which put nonprofits and their staff at risk for providing essential services to community members regardless of immigration status.  

The Governor signed HB 665, which could unintentionally increase personal liability for board members at nonprofits not specifically exempted by the bill. After MNA initially supported the bill, varying legal reviews revealed that the current statute is more complex than we originally recognized. Given the possibility of unintended consequences, urged the governor to veto and consider other opportunities to ensure nonprofit board members are protected. With the bill signed into law, MNA will continue to dig into this issue in Montana and consider how to best protect board members. 

MNA worked with Rep. Buttrey to advance HB 141, allowing nonprofits to accept credit cards for the sale of raffle tickets. Raffles are an important and successful fundraising tool for nonprofits in Montana, and this bill will make it easier for nonprofits to operate raffles and easier for more people to participate. HB 141 goes into effect June 1, 2025. This bill is awaiting final approval by the Governor. 

MNA successfully opposed two harmful bills in this area. HB 928 would have increased the tax rate for agriculture property owned by many types of nonprofits. MNA also helped defeat SB 99, which would have revised unrelated business taxable income (UBTI), treating income from land leased for agricultural purposes as taxable, regardless of whether it meets federal definitions for UBTI. 

We saw a lot of bills in this area this session, both good and bad. On the positive side, MNA worked with Rep. Caferro to introduce HB 749, ensuring the state values the strengths of community-based providers when awarding human services contracts.  While the bill was tabled in committee the hearing sparked important conversation and interest by lawmakers. MNA will continue building on this effort to support local nonprofits as partners in state contracting. 

MNA successfully supported multiple bills to expand funding opportunities for nonprofits, including SB 104, increasing access to bond financing options for nonprofit facilities, and HB 182 authorizing $5 million in funding to support senior center facilities in Montana. Both bills passed the legislature, but HB 182 was vetoed by the Governor.

MNA successfully opposed HB 540, which would have allowed Montana Department of Corrections to contract with for-profit entities for pre-release and treatment centers (currently the state is required to contract with Montana nonprofits for these services). MNA also helped defeat HB 647, which prohibited nonprofits from leasing state land, impacting nonprofits and local communities in areas such as conservation, agriculture, and outdoor recreation.  

Primary workforce challenges in our state include the lack of affordable housing and childcare. MNA joined coalition partners working in these areas to support opportunities to expand access to housing and childcare in Montana.  

In childcare, MNA supported the successful passage of HB 456, increasing eligibility for the Best Beginnings Child Care scholarship for childcare workers, reducing turnover and increasing access to childcare for Montana families. This bill is awaiting final approval by the Governor.  

We also supported the passage of HB 924, creating a new state trust to fund a variety of programs, including an investment in early childhood education and a historic, permanent investment in affordable housing. This bill is awaiting final approval by the Governor. 

MNA initially opposed HB 818 before moving our position to monitor. The bill prohibits foreign contributions to nonprofits working on statewide ballot initiatives. MNA opposed the original bill language giving unnecessarily broad investigative authority into a nonprofit’s financial records and donor information by the Attorney General and county attorneys. After successful advocacy, this language was removed from the final version of the bill.

MNA urged support for bills that increased voting access for Montanans and opposed efforts to make it harder for individuals to fulfill their civic responsibilities. MNA supported two bills to expand voting access in Montana, but they did not pass the legislature: SB 8, allowing online voter registration and SB 220, the Native American Voting Rights Act.  

We helped defeat HB 395, which threatened voting rights for people with disabilities, older Montanans, and others who have health conditions.  

Yet, multiple harmful bills were passed by the legislature, including HB 413, making it harder for college students and others in the state for work or training programs to participate in state and local elections. This bill is already being challenged in court.  

The legislature also passed SB 490, which restricts Election Day registration for federal elections (but not state), causing confusion and adding barriers for late-registering voters, which often include some of our most vulnerable citizens and those most likely to be left out of the democratic process.

MNA opposed three major income tax proposals leading to sustained and significant losses of state revenue. MNA urged legislators to protect revenue to make needed investments in affordable housing, childcare, behavioral health, education, and other critical needs in our state. Two of the bills ultimately failed, while HB 337 passed the legislature and was signed into law.  

MNA monitored HB 2, the state budget, and urged support for investments in Medicaid provider rates, Montana’s behavioral health system, and other community priorities. This bill is awaiting final approval by the Governor. 

MNA’s policy agenda ensures that MNA can act on issues that have significant impacts for nonprofits but may not fall clearly into a priority area above. 

This session, MNA recognized the critical importance of protecting Montana’s Medicaid expansion program. Over the last decade, Medicaid expansion strengthened the foundation of our healthcare system and our social safety net. Medicaid expansion supports a healthier, more productive workforce and more stable, thriving communities. MNA was proud to stand alongside thousands of advocates from across the state, supporting the passage of HB 245, continuing Montana’s Medicaid expansion program. 

Curious for more details? Find a full list of MNA’s priority bills here.