Montana House passes bill expanding K-12 tax credit scholarship programs

The Montana House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 279 by House Education Committee Chairman Seth Berglee (R-Joliet) by a vote of 64-36. House Bill 279 increases the Montana Tax Credit Scholarship Program for private programs from a $150 maximum tax credit to $200,000 with a $3 million annual cap. The bill also expands the Innovative Educational Program for public schools by the same amount.

“By expanding Montana’s tax credit scholarship programs, more families will be able to access educational services that fit the individual needs of their child,” Chairman Berglee said Friday. “This bill will primarily benefit low and middle-income families seeking additional choices in education. House Bill 279 lifts up all students in our state.”

House Bill 279 is supported by Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Elsie Arntzen. “In Montana, we often see students flow between public, private, and homeschool learning environments,” said Superintendent Arntzen. “As State Superintendent, I have brought everyone to the table to ensure that students have a smooth transition between systems as families decide what best fits their unique educational needs. This bill is about putting all Montana students first.”

In addition to providing greater funding potential for student scholarships, House Bill 279 eliminates the standardized testing requirements for participating programs. This allows more meaningful assessment of student progress and increases the number of participating programs.

House Bill 279 amends the 2015 Montana Tax Credit Scholarship Program following the U.S. Supreme Court Case Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue last year.

Other proponents of House Bill 279 include Governor Gianforte, the Montana Catholic Conference, the Montana Family Foundation, Americans for Prosperity-Montana, ACE Scholarships, Big Sky Scholarships, the Age of Montessori in Bozeman, Stillwater Christian School in Kalispell, and the Espinoza family.

The bill faces a final vote in the House before being sent to the Montana Senate.