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LC 4273

House resolution for legislators to offset appropriations in introduced bills by identifying the programs from which funds are to be reallocated in the same bill

2025 Regular Session

Montana House resolution requiring legislators to identify specific funding sources within bills proposing new spending, enforcing budget offsets at point of introduction.

(LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
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Bill Summary · LC 4273

Legislative bill overview

LC 4273 is a Montana House resolution that would require legislators to identify specific funding sources within the same bill whenever they introduce legislation requesting new appropriations. Rather than simply adding expenditures, lawmakers would need to specify which existing programs or budget lines would be reduced to offset the new spending.

Why is this important

This measure directly addresses budget discipline and fiscal transparency by preventing legislators from proposing spending increases without explicitly accounting for where the money comes from. It forces a zero-sum budgeting conversation upfront rather than deferring difficult trade-off decisions to later in the legislative process, potentially reducing overall budget growth and making spending priorities more visible to the public.

Potential points of contention

  • Legislative flexibility: Requiring offsets in the same bill may constrain lawmakers' ability to respond to emergency situations or introduce bills during early sessions when funding impacts aren't fully understood
  • Practical enforcement: The resolution doesn't specify penalties or enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance, raising questions about whether it's binding or merely advisory
  • Complexity for smaller bills: Minor appropriation requests might become unnecessarily complicated if legislators must identify offsetting cuts, potentially discouraging legitimate spending proposals

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

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