MT SB258

Clarifies that the Montana Legislature may provide school funding inflationary adjustments different from those calculated for the present law base, and may exceed the existing 3% annual cap

Amends Section 20-9-326, MCA, which governs annual inflation-related adjustments to basic entitlements, per-ANB entitlements, data-for-achievement payments, special education allocations, and general fund payments

Retains the existing formula requiring the Superintendent of Public Instruction to calculate inflation factors using Consumer Price Index data over a 3-year period

Maintains the 3% annual inflation cap for present law base calculations while explicitly authorizing the legislature to appropriate higher amounts through separate legislation

Introduced by Senators L. Smith, S. Novak, P. Flowers, and E. Kerr-Carpenter during the 69th Legislature (2025)