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2025 Legislative Session Begins

The 69th session of the Montana Legislature officially began on January 6, 2025, and your MLHA lobbying team is already hard at work identifying potential threats and opportunities for the lodging and tourism industry. On January 13, 2025, we proudly joined industry partners at "Travel Industry Rotunda Day," where members of our board of directors engaged directly with legislators to discuss the importance of tourism in Montana and our shared concerns over a proposal to redirect bed tax dollars.
 
SB 90, introduced in the 2025 Montana Legislature, seeks to reallocate critical funding generated by the lodging sales tax and facility use tax, commonly known as the “bed tax.” These taxes, collected by Montana’s lodging industry, are vital to supporting essential programs that benefit every corner of our state. They fund the general fund, local tourism infrastructure, historic preservation grants, public safety enhancements, and initiatives that promote tourism in rural areas.
 
Past legislative compromises have successfully allocated bed tax dollars to meaningful projects. Under SB 338 (2019), funding was directed toward constructing the Montana Heritage Center and supporting historic preservation through competitive grants, helping protect Montana’s unique history. SB 540 (2023) increased funding for local communities, enabling public safety improvements and emergency services, with $1.4 million already awarded to 26 safety agencies statewide. These carefully crafted policies reflect the collaborative approach that has made Montana’s tourism economy thrive.
 
Tourism remains a cornerstone of Montana’s economy, attracting 12.5 million visitors annually who contribute $5.45 billion to the state economy and generate $414 million in state and local taxes. This offsets the tax burden for Montana households by an average of $930 annually while supporting over 66,000 jobs—1 in every 12 Montanans. SB 90 threatens to disrupt this successful framework, jeopardizing the economic and community benefits that tourism provides.
 
MLHA is committed to opposing SB 90 to protect this vital funding mechanism and ensure Montana remains a world-class destination. We will keep you informed through Legislative action alerts as opportunities arise to engage on this critical issue.
 
Be ready to testify, send letters, and talk to your legislators about why preserving the bed tax framework is essential for Montana’s economy, communities, and heritage. Together, we can make our voices heard and safeguard the future of Montana’s tourism industry

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