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State Legislature

Montana Rural Cost-of-Living and Farm Relief Act

Status: PassedState: MontanaIssue: Inflation
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Summary

This bill would give Montana a 12-month suspension of certain state taxes and regulatory fees on dyed farm diesel, home heating propane and fuel, and key agricultural inputs like fertilizer, seed, and livestock feed. It aims to lower rural household and farm costs during inflation, with anti-fraud rules and a follow-up public report on savings and revenue impacts.

Full text

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Montana that, for a period of 12 months beginning July 1 following passage, the state shall suspend the collection of designated state taxes and regulatory fees on dyed agricultural diesel, propane and heating fuel used for primary residences, and core agricultural inputs including fertilizer, seed, and livestock feed, as defined by the Department of Revenue; the department shall issue simple eligibility guidance to retailers and producers, adopt anti-fraud rules, and submit a public report to the Legislature within 90 days of the suspension’s expiration estimating household and producer savings, revenue effects, and whether further targeted relief is warranted to address inflation pressures in rural Montana.

Judicial Review

No judicial review

No Supreme Court cases are currently attached to this law.

No cases filed.

Sponsor

Brent RosbottomRepublican Party

Cosponsors

Archived proceedingsMontana Chamber
Debate in progress

Montana Rural Cost-of-Living and Farm Relief Act

Floor statements
6
Speakers
2
Chair bulletins
3

Floor statements

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This bill awaits the Governor's action. Deadline: 2026-06-25 14:05:00 (UTC).
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This bill has been enacted via no action (pocket pass) at the Governor review deadline.
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Result: passed.
Aye: 100 seats
Nay: 0 seats
Present: 0 seats
Total seats: 100
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Mr. Speaker, this is the kind of bill folks in rural states understand without needing a white paper to explain it. When inflation hits, it does not hit everybody the same. A family trying to heat a home through a Montana winter, or a producer trying to keep equipment moving and feed in the barn, feels it first and feels it hardest. A temporary suspension on certain taxes and fees for farm diesel, propane, fertilizer, seed, and feed is a practical way to take some weight off their backs.
Now, I know the argument we are going to hear is about lost state revenue, and that is a fair question. But this bill is limited to 12 months, it is targeted, and it includes anti-fraud rules plus a public report on what the savings and revenue impacts actually were. That is the right way to do relief: focused, temporary, and accountable. Better to give direct breathing room on essentials than pretend rural inflation can be solved with speeches.
As Governor of West Virginia, I can tell you mountain and farm communities do not ask for miracles. They ask for some common sense and a government that knows the difference between luxury and necessity. Heating fuel is a necessity. Farm inputs are a necessity. If Montana wants to use its tax code to help working families and producers weather an inflation squeeze, I think that is a reasonable choice, and I support the bill.
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