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69th Legislature HJ 67.1
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – HJ 67
1 HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 67
2 INTRODUCED BY C. KEOGH, D. BEDEY
3
4 A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
5 MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF THE IMPACTS OF FEDERAL FUNDING CHANGES ON
6 THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION AND THE OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF HIGHER
7 EDUCATION; AND REQUIRING THAT THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 70TH
8 LEGISLATURE.
9
10 WHEREAS, the federal government has recently made changes or has signaled potential changes to
11 federal funding provided to states; and
12 WHEREAS, the Office of Public Instruction budget is funded 86.1% by state dollars and 13.9% by
13 federal dollars; and
14 WHEREAS, the Office of Public Instruction currently has 71.9 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions that
15 are funded fully or partially using federal dollars; and
16 WHEREAS, the Office of Public Instruction has numerous programs, including state-level activities and
17 local-level activities programs, that rely on federal funding or receive a federal match to operate and remain
18 viable; and
19 WHEREAS, the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education budget is funded 95% by state dollars
20 and 5% by federal dollars; and
21 WHEREAS, the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education currently has 22.94 FTE positions that
22 are funded fully or partially using federal dollars; and
23 WHEREAS, the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education has numerous programs, including the
24 Educational Outreach and Diversity, Workforce Development, and Guaranteed Student Loan programs, that
25 rely on federal funding or receive a federal match to operate and remain viable; and
26 WHEREAS, the impact of changes to federal funding may necessitate significant actions by Montana's
27 Executive and Legislative branches, including the replacement of lost funding, the development or modification
28 of programs or structures that are being reduced or eliminated through federal directives, the adjustment of
69th Legislature HJ 67.1
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – HJ 67
1 budgets, and the provision of assistance to the many state employees whose positions are funded using federal
2 dollars and who may lose employment.
3
4 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF
5 THE STATE OF MONTANA:
6 That the Legislative Council be requested to designate the Legislative Finance Committee established
7 in section 5-12-201, MCA, to:
8 (1) review the federal directives made since January 20, 2025, that affect the Office of Public
9 Instruction and the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education and analyze the impact on Montana citizens
10 and on local, tribal, and state government programs, including but not limited to the impacts on:
11 (a) agency operations and budgets;
12 (b) agency functions as a result of any reduction in personnel due to loss of federal funding; and
13 (c) sustainment of programs operated by the agency that utilize federal funding;
14 (2) analyze how the loss of revenue may result in a loss of agency operations and overall
15 functionality; and
16 (3) analyze how a reduction in the federal workforce may impact the Office of Public Instruction
17 and the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education in relation to project operation and other functions.
18 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the committee present findings to appropriate interim committees,
19 including policy committees, the Modernization and Risk Analysis Committee, and interim budget committees.
20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review
21 requirements, be concluded prior to September 15, 2026.
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions,
23 comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 70th Legislature.
24 - END -