Zinke Celebrates $53.8 Million in PILT Funding Being Released for Montana Counties

Washington, D.C. - Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke celebrated the release of $53,889,068 in Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding for Montana counties, an increase of more than $7.3 million over 2025 disbursements. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee and the Interior Appropriations Subcommittee, Congressman Zinke played a major role in securing these funds.

"Public lands are meant to be managed by a multiple-use mandate that allows for public access for recreation, economic development, and conservation. But with years of declining timber sales and economic activity, the counties that host them have been forced to bear the financial burden of management and lost tax revenue," said Zinke. "Western Montana is nearly 80% federal land. The counties cannot shoulder this burden alone. I fought nonstop to permanently and fully fund PILT and ensure full funding to counties to maintain roads, support law enforcement, fund emergency services, and keep property taxes affordable for local families."

Montana is home to millions of acres of federal land, including national forests, national parks, wildlife refuges, and Bureau of Land Management lands. While these public lands are a cornerstone of Montana's economy and way of life, they reduce the local tax base available to county governments.

PILT payments are essential in offsetting the loss of property tax revenue in counties where large portions of land are owned by the federal government and therefore exempt from local taxation. Montana's counties rely on these funds to support essential services such as law enforcement, road maintenance, emergency response, schools, and local infrastructure.

The increase in funding comes as many rural Montana counties continue to face rising costs for public safety, infrastructure maintenance, and other essential services. PILT payments provide a reliable source of revenue that helps local governments meet those needs while ensuring the federal government remains a responsible partner to rural communities.

See the distribution of PILT funding in Montana by county here.

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