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Item 1.
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| City Council Work Session | |
| Date: | 07/21/2025 |
| Title: | Montana's 69th Legislative Session Wrap-Up Presentation |
| Presented by: | Jessica Fust, Building Official |
| Department: | City Hall Administration |
| Presentation: | Yes |
| Legal Review: | Not Applicable |
| Project Number: | N/A |
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends City Council receives a presentation summarizing Montana's 69th Legislative Session and provides feedback to staff on what priorities should be focused on in the interim and looking forward to the next session in 2027.
BACKGROUND (Consistency with Adopted Plans and Policies, if applicable)
The City of Billings adopted priorities ahead of the 69th Montana State Legislative session.
It is important to identify legislative priorities to guide city administration, staff, local elected officials, and our lobbyists. The priorities were intentionally broad to help guide city staff, elected officials and our lobbyist team: Aimee Grmoljez and Brad Longcake.
The Legislative Priorities Resolution adopted the following priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session:
1. Public Safety
2. Housing
3. Economic Development
4. Medicaid Expansion Reauthorization
5. Infrastructure
6. Shift Tax Burden
7. MLCT/Self-Governing Powers
This presentation will review the work done by City Staff and elected officials, and our lobbying team to support the legislative priorities. The presentation will also cover bills that passed this session that affect the City of Billings, and what work can or should be done in the interim for the benefit of the City.
It is important to identify legislative priorities to guide city administration, staff, local elected officials, and our lobbyists. The priorities were intentionally broad to help guide city staff, elected officials and our lobbyist team: Aimee Grmoljez and Brad Longcake.
The Legislative Priorities Resolution adopted the following priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session:
1. Public Safety
2. Housing
3. Economic Development
4. Medicaid Expansion Reauthorization
5. Infrastructure
6. Shift Tax Burden
7. MLCT/Self-Governing Powers
This presentation will review the work done by City Staff and elected officials, and our lobbying team to support the legislative priorities. The presentation will also cover bills that passed this session that affect the City of Billings, and what work can or should be done in the interim for the benefit of the City.
ALTERNATIVES
City Council may provide guidance to staff on work to be done in the interim.
FISCAL EFFECTS
Some of the bills that were passed this session have significant fiscal effects on Billings - specifically the new tax laws. Other bills will require additional staff time or procedure changes. Depending on Council feedback, staff time and/or lobbying efforts in the interim could have additional fiscal effects.