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HB4
HB4: State Budget Changes and Fund Extensions
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 8:36 AM
In one sentence
This law gives money to specific state agencies, extends the time they can use certain funds into future years, and sets rules for returning unused money.
What it does
- Appropriates federal and state funds for programs in justice, education, arts, libraries, history, wildlife, parks, and election security.
- Allows unspent budget authority from fiscal year 2025 to continue into fiscal years 2026 or 2027 depending on the program.
- Requires that any money not spent by the end of its authorized period returns to the original fund source.
Who it affects
- State agencies including the Judiciary, Department of Justice, Office of Public Instruction, Montana Arts Council, Library Commission, Historical Society, and Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
- Programs receiving federal funds such as those for adult treatment courts, homeless children, bat monitoring, historic preservation, election security, and drug prevention.
Limits and unknowns
- Some funds must be spent within ten days after this law takes effect.
- The text lists specific dollar amounts for some programs but only mentions 'remaining authority' without a total amount for others.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Appropriation
- The official act of setting aside money from the government budget to pay for a specific program or agency.
- Fiscal Year
- A 12-month period used by the state and federal governments for accounting, which often does not match the calendar year.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
Appropriations by budget amendment
Official activity
Bill history
- Chapter Number Assigned