The Legislative Fiscal Division has published a financial update focused on the state budget implications of COVID-19. It is the first in a series of updates to the legislature as Montana endures the novel coronavirus situation.
On March 12, 2020, Gov. Bullock declared a state of emergency to address the COVID-19 outbreak and the next day, President Trump issued a proclamation declaring a national emergency. At the time of the emergency declaration, Montana’s state budget reserves were strong and by declaring an emergency, the governor gained immediate access to $16 million in state general fund appropriations for use in emergencies. During the last weeks of March, the federal government passed legislation to provide states with additional resources to combat the public health emergency. A preliminary table of the federal legislation impacts and additional state budget information is included in the full report.
For additional information on the situation in Montana, see the legislative branch COVID-19 information page.
The Legislative News.