Bill > HB864

This bill implements several changes to education-related funding and administrative processes in Montana. It expands the use of the School Facility and Technology Account by adding more potential funding sources and clarifying its purposes, including technology grants for school districts. The bill modifies community college funding calculations by revising how Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) student numbers are used to determine state appropriations, including more detailed definitions of FTE categories like career and technical education, general education, concurrent enrollment, and early college. The legislation increases the maximum annual payment for resident nonbeneficiary students at tribal colleges from $3,280 to $4,183 per full-time equivalent student. Additionally, the bill requires the Education Budget Committee to conduct two interim studies: one on interlibrary resource sharing programs and another on the organization and structure of the Office of Public Instruction. The bill also mandates quarterly reporting from various educational agencies on specific initiatives and programs, and includes several coordination instructions for potential interactions with other proposed legislation. The changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with certain sections terminating on December 31, 2026.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0958