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HB 507

Constitutional amendment for sales tax to fund K-12 education

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Brad Barker

Montana bill proposing constitutional amendment establishing dedicated sales tax for K-12 education funding withdrawn before advancing, raising questions about tax equity and funding stability.

(H) Bill Withdrawn per House Rule H30-50(3)(b)
#constitutionalamendmentproposals #revenue #state #schoolfinance #taxation(generally) #taxation--property #taxation--sales
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 507

Legislative bill overview

HB 507 proposed a constitutional amendment in Montana that would establish a sales tax specifically dedicated to funding K-12 education. The bill was introduced by Rep. Brad Barker but was withdrawn from consideration on February 27, 2025, before advancing further in the legislative process.

Why is this important

Education funding mechanisms directly affect school budgets, property tax burdens, and state revenue structures. A constitutional amendment dedicating sales tax revenue to education would create a permanent, dedicated funding stream while potentially reshaping Montana's tax landscape and how residents bear the cost of public education.

Potential points of contention

  • Regressive taxation concerns: Sales taxes are generally considered regressive, placing proportionally higher burdens on lower-income households compared to property or income taxes
  • Constitutional amendment threshold: Amending Montana's constitution requires significant legislative and voter approval, raising questions about whether a sales tax merits this permanent, difficult-to-modify status
  • Revenue stability and sufficiency: Sales tax revenue fluctuates with economic conditions, potentially creating unstable education funding compared to other revenue sources

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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