Montana would fund three veterans' service officer positions

Montana would set aside $260,000 from the general fund for veterans' service officer staffing. The Department of Military Affairs would receive the money to fund the equivalent of three full-time veterans' service officer positions. Unused money must return to the general fund when the two-year budget period ends. Lawmakers intend to include this funding in the starting budget for the next legislative session. The funding covers the two-year period beginning July 1, 2027. The bill would take effect on that date.